Project Type(s):
Clinical Research
Up to one-third of young people experiencing early psychosis use cannabis, and one in four meet criteria for a cannabis use disorder. Cannabis use is associated with multiple negative outcomes, including relapse, rehospitalization, increased psychotic symptoms and reduced treatment engagement and medication adherence. Psychosis relapse is a particularly devastating and costly outcome, leading to greater disability and accounting for $37 billion in healthcare costs per year. Cannabis is considered the most preventable cause of psychosis relapse. Despite this, no effective cannabis-reduction intervention has been developed for this population.
This study will address the urgent need for an effective cannabis-reduction intervention for this high-risk population by adapting a gold-standard treatment, Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), for youth and young adults living with psychosis. A tailored cannabis intervention and provider manual will be developed and evaluated for feasibility and acceptability. This novel intervention has the potential to mitigate the costly impact of psychosis on public health systems and ultimately improve psychosis outcomes among young people living in Washington State.
Project Period:
January 1, 2023 — December 31, 2023
Funding Type(s):
Philanthropy
Garvey Institute for Brain Health Solutions
Geographic Area(s):
California, National, Washington
Practice Type(s):
Community Mental Health/Health Center/Faith Health Center
Patient Population(s):
Young Adults
Targeted Condition(s):
Psychosis, Substance use disorders/misuse
