TY - JOUR PY - 2019// TI - Brief interventions for cannabis use in emerging adults: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and evidence map JO - Drug and alcohol dependence A1 - Halladay, Jillian A1 - Scherer, Justin A1 - Mackillop, James A1 - Woock, Rachel A1 - Petker, Tashia A1 - Linton, Vanessa A1 - Munn, Catharine SP - e107565 EP - e107565 VL - 204 IS - N2 - PURPOSE: This systematic review summarizes and critically appraises the existing literature on brief interventions (BIs) for cannabis use among emerging adults.

METHODS: Eligible BIs were operationalized as 1-2 sessions focused exclusively on cannabis use for samples with mean ages between 15 and 30. Outcomes related to cannabis use, other substance use, mental health, help-seeking, or functional status were included. Two independent reviewers screened a total of 3638 records, identifying 244 studies for full-text screening. In total, 32 BIs in 26 primary studies with 6318 participants were included.

RESULTS: Participants were typically not seeking treatment and using cannabis at least once a month. Most interventions were motivational, single sessions, and delivered in person. Few discussed concurrent psychiatric conditions. Pooling results at 1-3 months post-intervention, BIs compared to passive control slightly reduced symptoms of cannabis use disorder (SMD -0.14 [95% CI -0.26 to -0.01]) and increased the odds of abstinence (OR 1.73 [95% CI 1.13-2.66]). Other outcome results often favored BIs but were not significant.

RESULTS of studies comparing types of BIs (k = 8) or BIs to longer interventions (k = 1) are discussed narratively. Quality assessment suggested low to very low-quality evidence.

CONCLUSIONS: This review indicates that BIs targeting non-treatment seeking emerging adults result in significant reductions in symptoms of cannabis use disorder and an increased likelihood of cannabis abstinence, however evidence is of low quality.

Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0376-8716 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107565 ID - ref1 ER -