Impact of stopping cannabis use on PTSD symptoms

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a 12-week randomized trial involving outpatients from the Mood and Anxiety program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Participants diagnosed with both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cannabis-use disorder (CUD) will be assigned to either receive individual motivational interviewing therapy combined with contingency management or motivational interviewing therapy alone. The aim is to assess the effects of extended cannabis abstinence on PTSD symptoms through these therapeutic interventions.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects aged between 18 and 55 years (from both sexes \[or genders\]);
2. Diagnosed with CUD (moderate or severe) according to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) (mode of cannabis consumption can be inhalation or ingestion);
3. Diagnosis of current (past 30 days) PTSD, using the CAPS-5 on screening;
4. On antidepressant medication(s) for at least 1 month (to ensure safety and homogeneity as PTSD treatment of our population);
5. Be able to provide written informed consent; and
6. Be able to communicate in English.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. diagnosed with a severe or unstable medical illness that precludes safe participation in the study as per the study physician;
2. diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder or current acute psychosis or mania based on DSM-5 criteria;
3. current suicidality risk as indicated by the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) with concurrence after the study physician's evaluation if the response to C-SSRS questions 1 or 2 is "yes" 34; and
4. have pain interfering with normal function as reported by the 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12) (moderate or higher interference).

Where it's running

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
  Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recruiting

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.