title: Biopsychosocial changes associated with cessation of cannabis use: a single case study of acute and chronic cognitive effects, withdrawal and treatment.
abstract: A 35 year old male was cognitively assessed prior to cessation of 18 years of daily cannabis use and monitored for several weeks post cessation. Brain event-related potential (ERP) measures of selective attention reflecting a difficulty in filtering out complex irrelevant information showed no indication of improvement over 6 weeks of abstinence. In contrast, when tested in the acutely intoxicated state prior to cessation of use, a dramatic normalisation of the ERP signature of this individual was observed. A treatment program based on supportive-expressive psychotherapy was administered and depression, anxiety and general psychological health were monitored over the course of withdrawal from cannabis.
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Solowij
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Grenyer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chesher
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*