Pilot Trial of Contingency Management for Long-Term Cannabis Abstinence

Purpose

This study is a critically important first-of-its-kind investigation of the potential research utility of using contingency management to examine long-term changes in cannabis use with six months of abstinence. These pilot data will inform a later trial which will focus on testing the longitudinal relationships between adolescent cognition and cannabis use, questions of high and growing public health significance given adolescents' increased access to cannabis with legalization.

Conditions

  • Cannabis Use
  • Adolescent Behavior

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 13 Years and 19 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • Male and female adolescents actively enrolled in a middle or high school in the Boston area who are between the ages of 13 and 19 (inclusive); - Average use of cannabis at least 3 times per week during the 3 months prior to study enrollment; - Cannabis use reported within 7 days of study enrollment; - No immediate plan to discontinue cannabis use; - Have a parent or legal guardian who is competent and willing to provide written informed consent for the active study phase (if under the age of 18); - Competent and willing to provide written informed assent for the active study phase (if under the age of 18); - Competent and willing to provide written informed consent (if age 18 or older); - Able to communicate in English language; - Have a parent/guardian who can communicate in English language; - Able to commit to 27 study visits in approximately 6 months; - Able to safely participate in the protocol and appropriate for outpatient level of care, in the opinion of the investigator.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Any severe developmental delays (including, but not limited to, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, and Down Syndrome).

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose
Other
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Abstinent
  • Behavioral: Contingency Management
    Six months of cannabis abstinence will be incentivized using a standard contingency management approach involving an escalating schedule of payment for abstinence and attendance.

More Details

Status
Completed
Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital

Study Contact