title: Randomized controlled trial of a cannabis-focused intervention for young people with first-episode psychosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a cannabis-focused intervention (cannabis and psychosis therapy: CAP) for patients continuing to use cannabis following initial treatment for first-episode psychosis (FEP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive admissions to an early psychosis program were screened and consenting individuals using cannabis in the 4 weeks prior to assessment participated. A single-blind randomized controlled trial compared CAP (n = 23) with a clinical control condition (psychoeducation, PE; n = 24). There were no significant differences between the CAP and PE groups on cannabis use at end of treatment and 6 months post-intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant group differences on psychopathology and functional ratings at follow-up. A significant reduction in cannabis use was observed for both groups over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PE and specific cannabis-focused intervention are associated with similar reductions in cannabis use in an FEP cohort. Simple interventions may therefore be worth considering prior to intensive psychotherapeutic efforts with this population.
authors.affiliation: Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre/ORYGEN Youth Health, Parkville, Vic., Australia. j.edwards@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Elkins
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hinton
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Harrigan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Athanasopoulos
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: McGorry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016037:Single-Blind Method