Comparing Cost-Effectiveness of Reward-Based Treatment Versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Cannabis Use Disorder in Youth Aged 16 to 22

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the cost-effectiveness of contingency management CM compared with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CBT for treating cannabis use disorder CUD in youths aged 16 to 22 years. The trial aims to determine which treatment leads to more cannabis abstinence during a 12-week outpatient intervention, and to assess long-term effects and cost-effectiveness up to 12 months after treatment. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups one receiving 12 weeks of outpatient CM, which involves monetary rewards for cannabis abstinence verified by twice-weekly urine tests, and the other receiving 12 weeks of standard outpatient CBT, consisting of weekly 60-minute sessions aimed at reducing cannabis use. Both groups provide urine samples twice a week, but only the CM group receives incentives based on cannabis-negative tests. During the study, participants are assessed at the start, during treatment every two weeks, and at 6, 12, 26, and 52 weeks after treatment begins. Assessments include questionnaires, computer tasks, and urine tests to verify cannabis use. The main outcome is the number of cannabis-abstinent days during the 12-week treatment, with secondary outcomes including treatment response and cost-effectiveness measures over one year. This comprehensive monitoring helps researchers understand both the short- and long-term impacts of the treatments.

Rewards for Cannabis Abstinence-study