title: CANDIS treatment program for cannabis use disorders: findings from a randomized multi-site translational trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In a recent paper, we reported the efficacy of a modular cognitive-behavioral intervention for treating adolescents and adults with cannabis use disorders (CUD). In this study, we examine the outcome of this intervention after translating it into clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multi-site, randomized controlled trial of 279 treatment seekers with ICD-10 cannabis use disorders aged 16- 63 years was conducted in 11 outpatient addiction treatment centers in Germany. Patients were randomly assigned to an Active Treatment (AT, n=149) or Delayed Treatment Control (DTC, n=130). Treatment consisted of 10 sessions of fully manualized individual psychotherapy that combined Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Motivational EnhancementTherapy and problem-solving training. Assessments were conducted at baseline, during each therapy session, at post-treatment and at three and six month follow-ups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At post assessment 53.3% of AT patients reported abstinence (46.3% negative urine screenings) compared to 22% of DTC patients (17.7% negative drug screenings) (p<0.001, Intention-to-treat analysis). AT patients improved in the frequency of cannabis use, number of cannabis dependence criteria, severity of dependence, as well as number and severity of cannabis-related problems. Effect sizes were moderate to high. While abstinence rates in the AT group decreased over the 3-month (negative urine screenings: 32.4%) and 6-month (negative urine screenings: 35.7%) follow-up periods, the effects in secondary outcomes were maintained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intervention can successfully be translated to and applied in clinical practice. It has the potential to improve access to evidence-based care for chronic CUD patients.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Chemnitzer Strasse 46, Dresden 01187, Germany; Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Square J5, Mannheim 68159, Germany. Electronic address: Eva.Hoch@zi-mannheim.de.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hoch
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Chemnitzer Strasse 46, Dresden 01187, Germany; IFT Institut fuer Therapieforschung, Parzivalstrae 25, Munich 80804, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bühringer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Chemnitzer Strasse 46, Dresden 01187, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pixa
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Chemnitzer Strasse 46, Dresden 01187, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dittmer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Chemnitzer Strasse 46, Dresden 01187, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Henker
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Chemnitzer Strasse 46, Dresden 01187, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seifert
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Chemnitzer Strasse 46, Dresden 01187, Germany.
authors.forename: H U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Wittchen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000379:methods*; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: CBT; Cannabis; MET; RCT; Translational research; Treatment