The National Institute of Drug Abuse, or NIDA states that drug addiction is a complex illness with many dimensions, and as a result, treatment is not simple. “Substance Abuse” reports that marijuana is the number one illicit abused drug worldwide, and is the second most common reason for admission to a drug treatment program. They say that behavioral therapies, psycho-therapeutic approaches and certain medications can be efficacious in the treatment of marijuana addiction.
Motivational Enhancement Treatment
Motivational enhancement treatment, or MET is a behavioral treatment approach for the management of marijuana dependency, according to “Substance Abuse.” MET is a therapy delivered in 45 to 90 minute sessions, “designed to help resolve ambivalence about quitting and strengthen motivation to change." The duration is a range from one to four sessions. Therapists use a motivational, no-confrontational style of interaction. NIDA states that MET seeks to help patients find their own motivation for change and help them to plan that change.
Cognitive-behavior Therapy
A second behavioral therapy to treat marijuana addiction is cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, according to “Addiction Science Clinical Practice.” CBT is also known as coping skills training, as it focuses on teaching patients skills relevant to quitting marijuana and coping mechanisms to live drug-free. CBT for marijuana addiction is usually delivered in weekly 45 to 60 minute sessions, either individually or in a group setting. Duration is typically six to 14 sessions. “Addiction Science Clinical Practice” cites a study which found that CBT combined with MET produced a much higher success rate of abstinence than MET alone.
Contigency Management
“Substance Abuse” defines contingency management, or CM as an abstinence-based voucher program that provides incentives contingent on verified marijuana abstinence; in other words, a “reward system.” CM enhances the effect of MET and CBT. The combination of all three behavioral therapies has been shown to be the most potent treatment currently available for marijuana dependency. The “Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology” verifies this with a 2006 study showing that the MET/CBT plus CM combination consistently produced the best outcomes in marijuana abstinence.
Medications
“Substance Abuse” lists several medications that have been studied for treatment of marijuana withdrawal, including buproprion, divalproex, nefazodone and dronabinol. The findings were that buproprion and divalproex both worsened mood and sleep, thus these drugs are not supported to treat withdrawal. Nefazodone, an antidepressant, was found to significantly decrease anxiety and muscle pain, however did not improve mood overall. Dronabinol is an oral form of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. It was found to significantly decrease all side effects and cravings during marijuana withdrawal, thus may be an effective medication in abstinent marijuana smokers.
References
- NIDA: Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction
- "Substance Abuse": Marijuana Neurobiology and Treatment
- "Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology:" The Use of Contingency Management
- "Addiction Science Clinical Practice": Marijuana Dependence and its Treatment
- DrugAbuse.gov: Approaches to Drug Abuse Counseling
