Vederhus JK, Rørendal M, Bjelland C, Skar AKS, Kristensen Ø. Can a Smartphone App for Cannabis Cessation Gain a Broader User Group than Traditional Treatment Services?
Subst Abuse 2020;
14:1178221820902237. [PMID:
32071540 PMCID:
PMC6997962 DOI:
10.1177/1178221820902237]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background:
Treatment demand for cannabis use disorders is increasing in Europe. Mobile
phone– and internet-based interventions for cannabis users can possibly help
meet the need. The purpose of this study was to examine whether a recently
developed Norwegian Cannabis Cessation app reaches a broader or different
user group compared to community-based Cannabis Cessation programs (CCP,
Nordic abbreviation: HAP).
Method:
The app respondents (n = 148) were recruited through an online link in the
app. A comparative sample (n = 102) was recruited in three municipally based
CCPs in Norway. We examined whether app users differed from the CCP
population in sociodemographics, substance use, mental health, and
well-being.
Result:
The app group included more women than the CCP group (46% versus 26%,
χ2 = 10.9, P = .001), but otherwise the
groups were similar for sociodemographic variables. Severity of cannabis use
did not differ between groups, but the app sample exhibited a higher
depressiveness score on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (mean difference,
0.24; 95% CI 0.04–0.44; P = .018) and lower perceived
well-being (3.4 point lower score on the Outcome Rating Scale; 95% CI −5.7
to −1.2; P = .003). Well-being was negatively associated
with being in the app group, being older, and having higher levels of mental
distress, and was positively associated with the perceived ability to make
changes (‘self-efficacy of quitting’).
Conclusion:
The higher proportion of women in the app group indicated that the app did
capture an expanded segment of the cannabis-using population. The app can be
an alternative for those who are not yet prepared to seek treatment in
formal healthcare services. The high level of depressive symptoms and lower
levels of well-being among the app respondents suggest that some app users
might need additional support.
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