A multi-site proof-of-concept investigation of computerized approach-avoidance training in adolescent cannabis users

• Published in: Drug and alcohol dependence 2018-06, Vol.187, p.195-204
• Main Authors: Jacobus, Joanna, Taylor, Charles T., Gray, Kevin M., Meredith, Lindsay R., Porter, Anna M., Li, Irene, Castro, Norma, Squeglia, Lindsay M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - psychology; Adolescents; Alcohol; Alcohol use; Alcohols; Approach-Avoidance; Averages; Avoidance; Avoidance behavior; Avoidance Learning; Behavior, Addictive - epidemiology; Behavior, Addictive - psychology; Behavior, Addictive - therapy; Bias; Brain; California - epidemiology; Cannabis; Cognitive ability; Cognitive bias; Computerization; Coping; Cues; Drug abuse; Drug use; Female; Help seeking behavior; Humans; Intervention; Male; Marijuana; Marijuana Abuse - epidemiology; Marijuana Abuse - psychology; Marijuana Abuse - therapy; Marijuana Smoking - epidemiology; Marijuana Smoking - psychology; Marijuana Smoking - therapy; Neuroscience; Neurosciences; Paradigms; Pilot Projects; Pilot training; Proof of Concept Study; Randomization; Statistical analysis; Statistical significance; Teenagers; Therapy, Computer-Assisted - methods; Training; Treatment; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; Youth
• ISSN: 0376-8716; 1879-0046
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.03.007

•Youth decrease cannabis use after Cannabis Approach Avoidance Training.•Youth increase alcohol use after Cannabis Approach Avoidance Training.•Multisite computerized intervention trials with youth cannabis users are feasible.•Future computerized interventions should target youth cannabis and alcohol use. Few effective treatment options exist for cannabis-using youth. This pilot study aimed to test Approach-Avoidance Training to reduce cannabis use with non-treatment-seeking adolescents. Eighty cannabis-using non-treatment-seeking adolescents (average age 19) were recruited from San Diego, California and Charleston, South Carolina, and randomized to complete either six sessions of Cannabis Approach-Avoidance Task Training (CAAT-training) designed to reduce automatic approach biases for cannabis cues or CAAT-sham training. Change in two primary outcome variables was examined: 1) cannabis approach bias and 2) percent cannabis use days over study enrollment. Change in percent alcohol use days over study enrollment was explored as a secondary outcome. A mixed models repeated measures analysis confirmed the group by time interaction effect for approach bias failed to reach statistical significance (p = .06). Significant group by time interaction effects (ps