title: Feasibility and impact of brief interventions for frequent cannabis users in Canada.
abstract: Cannabis use is prevalent among young people, and frequent users are at an elevated risk for health problems. Availability and effectiveness of conventional treatment are limited, and brief interventions (BIs) may present viable alternatives. One hundred thirty-four young high-frequency cannabis users from among university students were randomized to either an oral (C-O; n = 25) or a written experimental cannabis BI (C-W; n = 47) intervention group, or to either an oral (H-O; n = 25) or written health BI (H-W; n = 37) control group. Three-month follow-up assessments based on repeated measures analysis of variance techniques found a decrease in the mean number of cannabis use days in the total sample (p = 0.024), reduced deep inhalation/breathholding use in the C-O group (p = 0.003), reduced driving after cannabis use in the C-W group (p = 0.02), and a significant reduction in deep inhalation/breathholding in the C-O group (p = 0.011) compared with controls. Feasibility and short-term impact of the BIs were demonstrated, yet more research is needed.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addictions, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 2400, 515 West Hastings St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V6B 5K3. bfischer@sfu.ca
authors.forename: Benedikt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dawe
authors.forename: Fraser
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: McGuire
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Shuper
authors.forename: Rielle
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Capler
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bilsker
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rudzinski
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rehm
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult