4 ADDICTION SCIENCE & CLINICAL PRACTICEDECEMBER 2007

Marijuana Dependence and Its Treatment

he prevalence of marijuana abuse and dependence disorders has been increasing among adults and adolescents in the
United States. This paper reviews the problems associated with marijuana use, including unique characteristics of mari-

juana dependence, and the results of laboratory research and treatment trials to date. It also discusses limitations of current
knowledge and potential areas for advancing research and clinical intervention.

Alan J. Budney, Ph.D. 1

Roger Roffman, D.S.W. 2
Robert S. Stephens, Ph.D. 3
Denise Walker, Ph.D. 2
1University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas
2University of Washington
Seattle, Washington
3 Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia

arijuana remains the most widely used illicit substance in the United
States and Europe (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and
Drug Addiction, 2006; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration (SAMHSA), 2007). Although some people question the concept

of marijuana dependence or addiction, diagnostic, epidemiological, laboratory,
and clinical studies clearly indicate that the condition exists, is important, and
causes harm (Budney, 2006; Budney and Hughes, 2006; Copeland, 2004; Roffman
and Stephens, 2006). Marijuana dependence as experienced in clinical populations appears very similar to other substance dependence disorders, although it is
likely to be less severe. Adults seeking treatment for marijuana abuse or dependence average more than 10 years of near-daily use and more than six serious attempts
at quitting (Budney, 2006; Copeland et al., 2001; Stephens et al., 2002). They
continue to smoke the drug despite social, psychological, and physical impairments, commonly citing consequences such as relationship and family problems,
guilt associated with use of the drug, financial difficulties, low energy and selfesteem, dissatisfaction with productivity levels, sleep and memory problems, and
low life satisfaction (Gruber et al., 2003; Stephens et al., 2002). Most perceive
themselves as unable to stop, and most experience a withdrawal syndrome upon
cessation.
Approximately half of the individuals who enter treatment for marijuana use
are under 25 years of age. These patients report a distinctive profile of associated
problems, perhaps due to their age and involvement in other risky behaviors (Tims
et al., 2002). Adolescents who smoke marijuana are at enhanced risk of adverse
health and psychosocial consequences, including sexually transmitted diseases and
pregnancy, early school dropout, delinquency, legal problems, and lowered educational and occupational aspirations.

R E S E A R C H R E V I E W M A R I J U A N A D E P E N D E N C E A N D I T S T R E AT M E N T 5

TREATMENT EFFICACY RESEARCH

Systematic research on psychosocial treatments for marijuana abuse or dependence began approximately 20
years ago, yet the number of controlled studies remains
small. Behavioral treatments, such as motivational
enhancement therapy (MET), cognitive-behavioral

FIGURE 1. The percentage of substance abuse treatment admissions that were due to marijuana nearly doubled from 1993 to 2005
(SAMHSA, 2006b)
60
50

% of admissions

40
1993

2005

30
20
10
0

Alcohol

Cocaine

Marijuana

Heroin

FIGURE 2. Marijuana accounts for most adolescent drug treatment

admissions and progressively smaller proportions of admissions in
each successive higher age group (SAMHSA, 2006b)
70
60
% of admissions

Some 4.3 percent of Americans have been dependent on marijuana, as defined in the D ia g n o s t i c a n d
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text
Revision (DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association,
2000), at some time in their lives. Marijuana produces
dependence less readily than most other illicit drugs.
Some 9 percent of those who try marijuana develop
dependence compared to, for example, 15 percent of
people who try cocaine and 24 percent of those who try
heroin. However, because so many people use marijuana,
cannabis dependence is twice as prevalent as dependence on any other illicit psychoactive substance (cocaine,
1.8 percent; heroin, 0.7 percent; Anthony and Helzer,
1991; Anthony, Warner, and Kessler, 1994).
During the past decade, marijuana use disorders have
increased in all age groups. Contributing factors may
include the availability of higher potency marijuana and
the initiation of use at an earlier age. Among adults, marijuana use disorders increased despite stabilization of
rates of use. An increased prevalence of disorders among
young adult African-American and Hispanic men and
African-American women appears to account for the
overall rise among youth (Compton, 2004). The reasons for the upward trend in disorders among minority
young people are not clear. Speculation has pointed to
the deleterious effects of acculturation on Hispanic youth;
growing numbers of minority youth attending college,
where they may experience increased exposure to marijuana use; and environmental and economic factors.
For example, young people may turn to marijuana abuse
when they have difficulty obtaining tobacco and alcohol, and recent higher prices and stricter governmental policies may restrict minorities more than Caucasians
access to legal psychoactive substances.
Paralleling the rise in marijuana use disorders, treatment admissions for primary marijuana dependence
have increased both in absolute numbers and as a percentage of total admissions, from 7 percent in 1993 to
16 percent in 2003 (SAMHSA, 2004). The extent of
marijuana use and its associated consequences clearly
indicate a public health problem that requires systematic effort focused on prevention and intervention.

Marijuana Cocaine

50

Heroin

Alcohol

40
30
20
10
0

12-17 yrs

18-20 yrs

21-34 yrs

therapy (CBT), and contingency management (CM),

as well as family-based treatments have been carefully
evaluated and have shown promise. Outpatient treatments for marijuana abuse among adolescents have
recently received increasing attention in the scientific
literature.
Adults

Seven published, randomized efficacy trials for primary

adult marijuana abuse and dependence have consistently
demonstrated that outpatient treatments can reduce

35-55 yrs

6 ADDICTION SCIENCE & CLINICAL PRACTICEDECEMBER 2007

WEB LINKS TO TREATMENT MANUALS

Adult Treatment Manuals From the Marijuana Treatment Project
Research Group Study (Marijuana Treatment Project Research Group,
2004):
Brief Counseling for Marijuana Dependence (Steinberg et al., 2005)
kap.samhsa.gov/products/brochures/pdfs/bmdc.pdf.
A Community Reinforcement Plus Vouchers Approach: Treating Cocaine
Addiction (Budney and Higgins, 1998)
www.nida.nih.gov/TXManuals/CRA/CRA6.html.
Adolescent Treatment Manuals From the Cannabis Youth Treatment
Study (Dennis et al., 2004):
The Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
for Adolescent Cannabis Users: 5 Sessions, Volume 1. NCADI number
BKD384.
The Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Supplement: 7 Sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescent
Cannabis Users, Volume 2.
Family Support Network for Adolescent Cannabis Users, Volume 3.
The Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach for Adolescent
Cannabis Users, Volume 4.
Multidimensional Family Therapy for Adolescent Cannabis Users, Volume 5.
ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=15868.
Multisystemic Therapy for Adolescents (Henggeler et al., 2006)
www.mstservices.com.

MET addresses ambivalence about

quitting and
strengthens
motivation
to change.

marijuana consumption and engender abstinence.

The most commonly tested interventions are adaptations of interventions initially developed to treat alcohol or cocaine dependence, in particular MET and CBT
(also known as coping skills training). Recently, trials
have examined the use of CM to enhance the potency
of MET- and CBT-based treatments. The cumulative
findings indicate that (1) each of these interventions represents a reasonable and efficacious treatment approach;
(2) the combination of MET and CBT is probably more
potent than MET alone; and (3) an intervention that
integrates all three approachesMET, CBT, and CM
is most likely to produce positive outcomes, especially
as measured by rates of abstinence from marijuana.
MET addresses ambivalence about quitting and seeks
to strengthen motivation to change. A typical MET regimen consists of one to four 45- to 90-minute individual sessions. Therapists use a nonconfrontational counseling style to guide the patient toward commitment to
and action toward change. Therapeutic techniques include

using strategic expression of empathy, reflecting, summarizing, affirming, reinforcing self-efficacy, exploring
pros and cons of drug use, rolling with resistance, and
forging goals and plans to achieve them. An online manual, Brief Counseling for Marijuana Dependence, describes
the use of MET intervention with adult marijuana users.
CBT focuses on teaching patients skills relevant to
quitting marijuana and avoiding or managing other
problems that may interfere with good outcomes. Patients
learn functional analysis of marijuana use and cravings,
self-management planning to avoid or cope with drug
use triggers, drug refusal skills, problem-solving skills,
and lifestyle management. CBT for marijuana dependence is typically delivered in 45- to 60-minute, weekly
individual or group counseling sessions; tested CBT
interventions have ranged from 6 to14 sessions. Each
session involves analysis of recent marijuana use or cravings, development of planned responses to situations
that may trigger use or craving, brief training on a
coping skill, role-playing or other interactive exercises,
and practice assignments. Brief Counseling for Marijuana
D e p e n d e n c e describes the content and conduct of
CBT sessions in detail (Steinberg et al., 2005; see Web
Links to Treatment Manuals).
A series of four trials demonstrated the efficacy of
both CBT and MET for adult marijuana dependence
(Table 1). After an initial trial showed promising results
for a CBT group intervention (Stephens, Roffman, and
Simpson, 1994), a second trial tested a 14-session group
CBT intervention against 2 individual MET sessions or
a delayed treatment control (DTC) condition (Stephens,
Roffman, and Curtin, 2000). At the 4-month followup,
the CBT and MET groups had achieved significantly
greater rates of abstinence than the DTC group. Days
of use, number of uses per day, dependence symptoms, and problems related to use also fell significantly compared with those measures in the DTC group,
and gains were generally maintained throughout the
16-month followup. No significant differences were
observed between CBT and MET conditions on any of
these outcome measures, suggesting that brief motivational interventions may be as effective as longer CBT
interventions. However, this study confounded treatment modality (group vs. individual) and therapist experience (provision of MET by more experienced therapists) with treatment length. A similar study showed
that a six-session CBT and a one-session MET treatment, both delivered in individual therapy sessions, produced greater rates of abstinence than DTC, but again

R E S E A R C H R E V I E W M A R I J U A N A D E P E N D E N C E A N D I T S T R E AT M E N T 7

TABLE 1. Randomized Trials for Adult Marijuana Treatment

AUTHOR(S)

INTERVENTION

OUTCOME

MET and CBT

Stephens, Roffman,
and Simpson, 1994

212

CBT vs. social support group discussion intervention

Both groups had significant reductions in marijuana use. No

significant differences between groups.

Stephens, Roffman,
and Curtin, 2000

291

14-session CBT group treatment vs.

2-session MET treatment vs. DTC

Treatment groups showed greater improvement than DTC. No

differences in outcomes between treatment groups.

Copeland et al., 2001

229

6-session MET vs. 1-session MET

vs. DTC

Both treatment groups reported better outcomes (higher rates

of abstinence, fewer marijuana-related problems) than DTC.

Marijuana Treatment
Project Research
Group, 2004

450

9-session MET-CBT vs. 2-session

MET vs. DTC

Both treatment groups reported better outcomes than DTC.

9-session MET-CBT engendered greater long-term abstinence
and reductions in frequency of use than brief MET.

Stephens et al., 2006

87

9-session MET-CBT vs. 4-session

MET-CBT + pro re nata (PRN; continuing care)

No between-condition outcome differences observed. Only

37 percent of PRN subjects used continuing care sessions; suggestive evidence that use of PRN increased abstinence.

4-session MET vs. 14-session METCBT vs. 14-session MET-CBT + CM

No differences in abstinence between MET and MET-CBT.

MET-CBT+CM engendered greater abstinence during and at
the end of treatment than MET or MET-CBT.

CM (Abstinence-Based
Vouchers)
Budney et al., 2000
60

Budney et al., 2006

90

14-session MET-CBT vs. MET-CBT

+ CM vs. CM alone

Two CM conditions engendered better abstinence outcomes

during treatment than MET-CBT. MET-CBT+CM had better
post-treatment abstinence rates than the other groups.

Kadden et al., 2007

240

9-session MET-CBT vs. MET-CBT +

CM vs. CM alone vs. case management

Two CM conditions engendered better abstinence outcomes,

with only the MET-CBT+CM showing superior abstinence rates
during the 1-year followup.

little difference was observed between the active treatment groups (Copeland et al., 2001). A positive relation
between therapist experience and outcome was reported
across both treatment conditions.
The most comprehensive trial (n = 450) of MET and
CBT compared nine sessions of combined MET-CBT
with a two-session MET-only intervention and with a
DTC (Marijuana Treatment Project Research Group,
2004). MET-CBT and MET-only again produced better abstinence outcomes than DTC. However, in this
trial, MET-CBT was associated with significantly greater
long-term abstinence and greater reductions in frequency
of marijuana use compared with MET alone. Findings
generalized across three sites and were not dependent
on ethnicity or gender.
In an effort to enhance outcomes further, researchers
have begun to examine the efficacy of CM for treating
marijuana dependence (Budney et al., 2001). The marijuana CM intervention adapts the abstinence-based
voucher approach originally developed and demon-

strated effective for treating cocaine dependence (Budney

and Higgins, 1998; Higgins et al., 1994). The vouchers
are contingent on marijuana abstinence, confirmed by
twice-weekly drug testing, and their value escalates with
each consecutive negative drug test. Patients exchange
them for prosocial retail items or services that, it is hoped,
will serve as alternatives to marijuana use.
An initial trial of CM for adult marijuana dependence compared a 4-session MET, a 14-session combined
MET-CBT, and a 14-session MET-CBT plus CM (Budney et al., 2000). Individuals could earn up to $570 in
vouchers if they provided consistently negative urine
samples throughout treatment weeks 3 through 14. The
MET-CBT plus CM condition produced the highest
abstinence rate during treatment. In a second trial conducted to extend these findings (Budney et al., 2006),
90 adults received MET-CBT, MET-CBT plus CM, or
CM alone (no counseling). The magnitude of the CM
incentives was identical to that used in the prior study.
The MET-CBT-alone intervention differed from the

8 ADDICTION SCIENCE & CLINICAL PRACTICEDECEMBER 2007

Adding CM
to MET-CBT
produced
superior posttreatment
outcomes.

initial study in one regard: vouchers ($5) contingent on

providing a urine specimen as scheduled (twice per week)
were provided to ensure equivalent retention and treatment contact. This trial produced three notable outcomes. First, MET-CBT plus CM and CM alone both
engendered greater initial rates of abstinence than METCBT. Second, MET-CBT plus CM produced outcomes
that were similar to those of CM alone during treatment,
but superior post-treatment.
A recent study by another research group found similar results with a modified CM program (weekly
urine testing, $385 maximum voucher earnings for complete abstinence) in a more diverse (40 percent minority) and larger sample (n = 240; Kadden et al., 2007).
During 7 weeks of treatment, MET-CBT plus CM and
CM alone produced continuous abstinence outcomes
that were similar to each other and superior to those seen
with MET-CBT. During the following year, the METCBT plus CM patient group sustained overall positive
outcomes somewhat better than those of the CM group,
although differences in abstinence rates were not statistically significant at later followups. As in the previous
CM trials, patients in the CM and non-CM conditions
self-reported similar rates of marijuana use throughout,
illustrating the importance of obtaining subjective
and objective indices of use. In summary, MET, CBT,
and CM each has empirical support for its efficacy, and
CM in combination with MET-CBT has demonstrated
the most potency in outpatient treatment for adult marijuana dependence, particularly for engendering longer
periods of abstinence.
Recognizing that many people overcome dependence only after multiple treatment exposures, Stephens
and Roffman (2005) developed and initially tested a creative, chronic care model of treatment that they termed
marijuana dependence treatment PRN. Following an
initial four sessions of MET-CBT, participants were given
the option of determining the number and schedule
of treatment sessions they would attend over a 28-month
period. The comparison condition in this trial was the
same fixed-dose nine-session MET-CBT intervention
used in the large multisite trial mentioned earlier (Marijuana Treatment Project Research Group, 2004). There
were three key findings from this trial: (1) A relatively
small percentage of participants (37 percent) made use
of the continuing care sessions, and (2) the PRN condition overall was not more efficacious than the fixeddose condition, although (3) the few individuals who
attended the greatest number of continuing care sessions

(mean of 13.4 sessions) had a high level of 90-day abstinence (approximately 60 percent) at followup.
Adolescents and Young Adults

Most information on marijuana treatment efficacy among

young people derives from trials that have included users
of various drugs and have not focused specifically on
marijuana use. Nevertheless, most patients in these studies have been primary marijuana users. Empirical support for group or individual CBT and family-based treatments has begun to emerge (Waldron and Kaminer,
2004). The CBT interventions studied have been similar to those studied for adults in scope and duration.
Specific forms of family-based treatment that have been
tested include functional family therapy (Waldron et al.,
2001), multidimensional family therapy (MDFT; Liddle
et al., 2001), multisystemic therapy (Henggeler et al.,
2006), family support network intervention (Dennis et
al., 2004), and brief strategic family therapy (Azrin et
al., 1994; Santisteban et al., 2003). Description of these
models is beyond the scope of this paper. However, they
each involve structured, skills-based interventions for
family members and are well described in their respective manuals.
The largest clinical trial of outpatient treatment
for adolescent substance abuse focused on marijuana
use (Dennis et al., 2004). Five treatment models were
tested in a multisite study: MET-CBT 5 (2 individual
and 3 group sessions), MET-CBT 12 (2 individual and
10 group sessions), MET-CBT 12 plus family support
network (6 parent education group sessions, 4 home
visits, and case management), the community reinforcement approach (10 individual sessions focused on
behavioral change in drug use and lifestyle change, and
4 parent sessions focused on effective parenting, communication, and problem solving), and MDFT (12 to
15 family systems-focused sessions: 6 individual, 3 with
parents alone, and 6 with family). Significant decreases
in drug use and symptoms of dependence were observed
following each of the treatments. However, robust
between-treatment differences in outcomes were not
observed, which unfortunately precludes drawing strong
conclusions about their efficacy. Although results were
promising compared with prior treatment studies, twothirds of the youth continued to experience significant
substance-related symptoms, suggesting that adolescent treatments can be improved and alternative treatment models should be explored (Compton and Pringle,
2004).

R E S E A R C H R E V I E W M A R I J U A N A D E P E N D E N C E A N D I T S T R E AT M E N T 9

As they are doing with treatments for adults, researchers

are attempting to enhance youths outcomes by adding
a CM intervention to MET-CBT-type interventions.
Positive results were observed in an initial pilot study of
MET-CBT plus a CM intervention that incorporated
an abstinence-based voucher program and parent-based
CM (Kamon, Budney, and Stanger, 2005). The voucher
program was of the same schedule and magnitude as that
used in the previously mentioned adult trials by Budney
and colleagues. However, participants could earn vouchers only if urine toxicology screens were negative for all
drugs tested and if parents reported that, to their knowledge, the adolescent had not used any drugs or alcohol.
The parenting intervention included a contract that
directed parents to provide tangible incentives for abstinence and to deliver negative consequences for continued use. Parents also participated in a weekly behavioral training program called Adolescent Transitions
(Dishion and Kavanagh, 2003), a treatment of choice
for adolescents with conduct disorder. Preliminary data
from an initial randomized trial suggest that the METCBT plus CM improved rates of marijuana abstinence and effectively maintained abstinence posttreatment compared with MET-CBT combined with
weekly parent psychoeducational counseling. The rates
of abstinence achieved appeared greater than those
reported in prior studies; however, comparison across
trials is problematic because of differences in patient
characteristics and differences in the way outcomes are
measured.
Two other tests of CM with adolescents and young
adults have produced promising results. A CM
abstinence-based voucher program enhanced drug use
outcomes and abstinence when added to a potent outpatient therapy (i.e., multisystemic therapy) among juvenile offenders enrolled in drug court (Henggeler et al.,
2006). Lastly, adding incentives for treatment attendance to MET increased treatment participation by
young adult marijuana abusers involved with the judicial system, but did not lead to increased marijuana abstinence (Sinha et al., 2003). In summary, a number of
behaviorally based interventions appear efficacious for
treating adolescent marijuana abuse, and combining
interventions like MET, CBT, CM, and family-based
programs is likely to enhance efficacy.
Effectiveness

Sufficient evidence has accumulated to conclude that

behaviorally based interventions can help many of those

who seek treatment for marijuana use disorders.

Unfortunately, as with treatment for other dependencies, the rates of success are modest. Even with METCBT plus CM, the most highly efficacious treatment
for adults, only about one-half of those who enroll in
treatment achieve an initial 2-week period of abstinence,
and among those who do, approximately one-half resume
use within a year (Budney et al., 2006; Kadden et al.,
2007). Across studies, 1-year abstinence rates have ranged
between 19 and 29 percent for MET-CBT, and between
9 and 28 percent for MET. An additional percentage of
adults report a reduction in use and in problems associated with use; however, many adults show no evidence
of progress.
The treatment outcome data for adolescents paint a
similar picture. For example, in the large Cannabis Youth
Treatment study, abstinence rates at the end of treatment were only 11 to 15 percent (Dennis et al., 2004;
see also the preliminary findings of Dennis and colleagues
reported at www.chestnut.org/LI/cyt/findings/index.html),
and rates at 12 months post-treatment, defined by selfreport of no substance use in the prior month, were 17
to 34 percent across the five treatments. Clearly, there
remains much room for improvement in marijuana outpatient treatment.
CLINICAL ISSUES

Most clinical issues in treatment for marijuana use disorders parallel those that arise in treatments for other
drug use disorders, though sometimes with distinctive
aspects. Among the clinical features that distinguish marijuana dependence are the drugs relatively mild withdrawal effects and marijuana users frequent desire
to pursue a goal of reducingrather than abstaining
fromuse.
Marijuana as a Secondary Drug of Abuse

In addition to being the illicit drug most commonly used

by the general population, marijuana is also the most
common other drug used by those seeking treatment for stimulant or opiate dependence. Such secondary marijuana use is commonly viewed as a significant risk factor for relapse or treatment failure, although
the empirical support for this is equivocal (Epstein
and Preston, 2003).
Many individuals who enter treatment for heroin/opiate dependence or cocaine dependence do not consider
their marijuana use problematic; thus, their readiness
to quit or reduce their marijuana use is low. Some inves-

Secondary
marijuana use
is regarded as
a risk factor
for relapse to
stimulant or
opiate abuse.

10 ADDICTION SCIENCE & CLINICAL PRACTICEDECEMBER 2007

Treatment for
secondary
marijuana
abuse need
not adversely
affect treatment for opiate or stimulant abuse.

tigators have explored CM-based approaches targeting

marijuana use in this clinical population, reasoning that
explicit reinforcement or penalty interventions tied to
marijuana use may motivate and prompt change in individuals not currently interested in changing.
Calsyn and Saxon (1999) devised a marijuana CM
program to function as an adjunct to an existing CM
program that required 6 months of urinalysis-confirmed
abstinence from all drugs, except for cannabis, in
order to earn methadone take-home privileges twice a
week. The new intervention simply increased the requirement for obtaining twice-weekly take-home status to
include marijuana-negative urinalysis results. In this
small study, 50 percent of the participants responded to
the contingency by stopping their marijuana use, while
the other 50 percent accepted curtailment of their takehome privileges and continued to use marijuana.
Kidorf and colleagues (2007) tested a similar motivated stepped care approach to reducing cannabis use
in methadone maintenance patients. Fifteen patients
who tested positive only for marijuana during a 6-month
baseline period were informed that, from then on, a positive test for marijuana (or any other substance) would
increase their counseling requirements from 1 hour per
week to 4. Ten of the patients discontinued marijuana
use when informed about the new counseling rule. The
other fivewho were among the heaviest userscontinued to test positive for marijuana and were required
to attend the additional counseling sessions. Of those,
four responded to the intensified counseling, eventually
discontinuing use and returning to the lower-level schedule. One patient did not respond and dropped out of
treatment.
In the cocaine clinic, where many patients do not
endorse a goal of stopping marijuana use, the clinician
must decide how best to approach this issue without
adversely affecting treatment for cocaine dependence
(Budney, Higgins, and Wong, 1996). One study of a
small number of patients explored a sequential strategy
of initially targeting abstinence from cocaine with an
abstinence-based voucher CM program, then targeting
marijuana once cocaine abstinence had been achieved
(Budney et al., 1991). The rationale for this approach
was that the experience of achieving cocaine abstinence
and the associated positive effects might increase awareness of how marijuana use negatively affects a prosocial
lifestyle. Moreover, an initial success with a voucher program for cocaine might motivate participation in a similar program that targets marijuana. In this study, two

participants quit using cocaine during a 12-week voucher

program, but continued to use marijuana regularly despite
counseling that encouraged abstinence. Both entered
a second 12-week program that required abstinence from
cocaine and marijuana to earn vouchers. Both achieved
abstinence from the two drugs and stayed off cocaine
throughout a 5-month followup period. Unfortunately,
both resumed marijuana use during the followup.
These studies demonstrate how systematic approaches
to secondary marijuana abuse can be implemented without having significant adverse effects on treatment for
primary opiate or cocaine abuse. Using stepped care or
sequential CM approaches appears effective for initiating abstinence among those ambivalent about stopping their marijuana use. However, longer term contingencies or additional interventions may be needed to
obtain enduring effects (Kidorf et al., 2007).
Marijuana Withdrawal

As noted earlier, many people question whether one can

truly become dependent on marijuana. The basis for
skepticism is typically doubt that marijuana use can produce physiological dependencei.e., that cessation
of use produces a withdrawal syndrome. A review of the
literature relevant to this issue is beyond our scope here.
However, research over the past 10 to 15 years has (1)
established a neurobiological basis for a marijuana withdrawal syndrome via an endogenous cannabinoid system in the central nervous system; (2) established the
reliability, validity, and time course of a marijuana withdrawal syndrome through human laboratory research
and clinical studies; and (3) demonstrated the potential
clinical importance of the withdrawal syndrome (Budney
et al., 2004; Budney and Hughes, 2006).
The marijuana withdrawal syndrome resembles those
associated with other drugs, particularly tobacco. Patients
experience irritability, anger, depression, difficulty sleeping, craving, and decreased appetite. Many indicate that
these symptoms adversely impact their attempts to quit
and motivate use of marijuana or other drugs for relief
(Copersino et al., 2006). Most symptoms begin within
24 to 48 hours of abstinence, peak within 4 to 6 days,
and last from 1 to 3 weeks, although significant individual differences occur in withdrawal expression.
The marijuana withdrawal syndrome does not appear
to include major medical or psychiatric consequences
and may be considered mild compared with heroin and
severe alcohol withdrawal syndromes. Nonetheless, myriad patient reports suggest that additional research to

R E S E A R C H R E V I E W M A R I J U A N A D E P E N D E N C E A N D I T S T R E AT M E N T 1 1

understand and develop effective clinical responses to

the withdrawal syndrome may enhance outcomes and
promote successful cessation attempts.
Pharmacotherapy

To date, a handful of human laboratory studies and one

small clinical trial on potential pharmacotherapies for
marijuana dependence have appeared in the literature
(Hart, 2005). The majority of these efforts have targeted
the marijuana withdrawal syndrome. Bupropion, divalproex, naltrexone, nefazodone, and orally administered
9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have all been evaluated in studies with marijuana-dependent participants
who were not seeking treatment or planning to quit.
Divalproex has also been evaluated in an outpatient
placebo-controlled trial (Levin et al., 2004). Only orally
given THC and, to a lesser extent, nefazodone have
shown promise. THC reduced craving and ratings of
anxiety, feelings of misery, difficulty sleeping, and chills
(Haney et al., 2004). In addition, participants could not
distinguish active THC from placebo. These findings
were replicated in an outpatient study, which found that
a moderate oral dosage of THC (10 mg, three times
daily) suppressed many marijuana withdrawal symptoms and that a higher dosage (30 mg, three times daily)
almost completely abolished withdrawal symptoms
(Budney et al., 2007). Nefazodone decreased ratings
of some withdrawal symptoms (anxiety and muscle pain),
but other ratings (irritability, feelings of misery, and difficulty sleeping) remained high (Haney et al., 2003).
In summary, the developing literature on pharmacotherapy for marijuana dependence supports further
testing of THC, an approach that parallels the use of
agonist medications such as methadone and the nicotine patch. Continued exploration of compounds that
target mood, sleep difficulty, craving, and appetite appears
warranted given the potent and reliable symptoms
observed in withdrawal studies. Other promising strategies for pharmacotherapies include targeting the underlying physiology of withdrawalspecifically, the decreases
in dopamine activity in the mesolimbic dopamine pathwayand treating comorbid disorders such as depression or anxiety. Researchers also are exploring the possibility of medications to help abstinent individuals avoid
relapse by blocking marijuanas rewarding effects. One
such compound, the cannabinoid receptor antagonist
SR141617A (rimonabant), has been shown to block the
drugs subjective and physiological effects (Huestis et
al., 2001).

Tobacco Smoking Among Marijuana Users

Like users of other drugs of abuse, regular marijuana

users have a higher rate of tobacco use than the general
population; approximately 50 percent of heavy cannabis
users also smoke tobacco (Ford, Vu, and Anthony, 2002;
Moore and Budney, 2001). Moreover, many adolescents
and, to a lesser extent, adults use tobacco and marijuana
together, either mixing the substances, smoking blunts
(hollowed out cigars filled with marijuana), or smoking
one immediately after the other.
At least one study suggests that, among cannabisdependent individuals, tobacco smokers have worse psychosocial problems and poorer cannabis cessation outcomes (Moore and Budney, 2001). Whether this indicates
that treatments for marijuana dependence should simultaneously address tobacco smoking is not clear. No clinical studies have focused on this issue. However, research
suggests that treatment that promotes smoking cessation does not disrupt alcohol abstinence and may actually enhance the likelihood of longer-term sobriety
(Gulliver, Kamholz, and Helstrom, 2006).
One laboratory study compared withdrawal symptoms during simultaneous cessation of marijuana and
tobacco to withdrawal from each substance alone (Vandrey
et al., 2007). Withdrawal was more severe during simultaneous cessation, but the differences were of short duration and not robust, and substantial individual differences were noted. Interestingly, five participants rated
dual abstinence as the most difficult of the three conditions; four rated cannabis abstinence and three rated
tobacco abstinence as the most difficult. The reason
simultaneous abstinence was not uniformly experienced
as most severe may be that both substances are smoked.
Individuals quitting one drug might have had withdrawal
intensified by the smoking cues associated with continuing use of the other, while individuals quitting both
were spared such cues.
Should we encourage individuals trying to quit marijuana use to try also to quit tobacco? Certainly we should
discuss this option with clients, as tobacco abstinence
may make marijuana abstinence easier and increase
chances of maintaining marijuana abstinence for a longer
term. However, as with treatments for other substance
dependence disorders, mandating tobacco cessation as
a treatment goal might create a barrier to treatment seeking or trigger treatment dropout.
Treatment Goals: Abstinence or Moderation?

Because marijuana is perceived as less harmful than

Should we
encourage individuals
trying to quit
marijuana
to also quit
tobacco?

12 ADDICTION SCIENCE & CLINICAL PRACTICEDECEMBER 2007

cocaine or heroin, some people suggest that use reduction, instead of abstinence, may be an acceptable clinical goal. Indeed, many individuals who enter treatment
are ambivalent about giving up marijuana completely.
The only published study (n = 291) that systematically assessed the goals of adults enrolling in marijuana
treatment reported that 71 percent sought abstinence,
28 percent wanted to moderate their use to 3 days or less
per week, and 1 percent wished only to incur fewer
adverse consequences from their smoking (Lozano,
Stephens, and Roffman, 2006). Patient goals were measured again at the end of treatment and repeatedly during a 12-month followup period. Ultimately, the portion desiring to be abstinent declined to 49 percent,
while those wishing only for fewer negative effects increased
to 26 percent. Most notably, patient goals predicted outcomes: 40 to 65 percent of those aiming for abstinence or moderation had achieved their desired outcome at the following assessment. The second most
frequent outcome among those with abstinence goals
was moderation, while the second most frequent outcome among those with moderation goals was continued problematic use. In summary, abstinence goals predicted better outcomes. That said, because the focus
of treatment in this study was abstinence, those with
moderation goals were not necessarily provided with
treatment that best matched their goals.
Little is known about what constitutes nonharmful use of marijuana, and whether and when moderation may be an appropriate clinical goal for treatment.
Clinical epidemiological studies clearly demonstrate that
many individuals experiment with marijuana, and some
even use the drug regularly without reporting significant consequences. This finding clearly parallels what is
observed with alcohol use. The sparse data available
on goals discussed earlier are fairly consistent with what
is observed in the alcohol treatment literaturethat
is, patients who aim for abstinence appear to obtain better outcomes. Some individuals who make moderation
their objective can achieve it, but the likelihood of
failing is greater with this goal. Moderation-focused
treatments for marijuana have yet to be tested. Thus, no
guidelines or predictors exist concerning which patients
might succeed with this approach. Moreover, marijuanas
illegality complicates any consideration of treatment
goals other than abstinence.
Early Intervention and Secondary Prevention

Although more people are seeking help for problems

with marijuana today, they still represent only a small

percentage of those who may benefit from treatment.
Of the approximately 4 million persons in the United
States who reported problems consistent with a marijuana use disorder in a 2005 survey (SAMHSA, 2006a),
only about 7 to 8 percent received treatment. Adolescents
who report signs of problematic usea relatively small
percentageseldom present for treatment. Those
who do almost never self-refer; they are typically forced
into treatment by parents, the juvenile justice system,
or their school administration, and most do not admit
that their use is problematic (Diamond et al., 2006).
Responding to this situation, one group of researchers
recently developed check-up interventions to reach
marijuana users who have not sought treatment, either
because they are ambivalent about stopping or do not
perceive their use to be a problem, or at least not a problem severe enough to warrant treatment (Stephens et al.,
2004; Walker et al., 2006).
The Teen Marijuana Check-Up (TMCU), designed
for delivery in high schools, is advertised as an opportunity to take stock of marijuana use and is intended
to facilitate a candid, in-depth evaluation of a teens use.
The program features a brief MET intervention, consisting of a computerized assessment and two 30-minute
sessions, which encourages participation by demanding
minimal effort. The program treats adolescents as experts
and decision makers regarding their marijuana use, does
not label marijuana users as having a problem, and views
ambivalence about the drug as normal. An initial randomized trial conducted in four high schools compared
the TMCU with a delayed treatment condition (Walker
et al., 2006). Teens in both conditions significantly
reduced their marijuana use over a 3-month period; however, no significant between-group differences were
observed. Despite the absence of a clear effect of the
TMCU, this study showed that adolescents using marijuana would volunteer to participate in an intervention
provided at their school, a response that holds promise
for reducing problematic levels of marijuana use.
A similar Marijuana Check-Up (MCU) for adults
was designed to reach marijuana users who were experiencing adverse consequences, but were ambivalent
about change and not likely to enter treatment (Stephens
et al., 2004). Marijuana users called the clinic in response
to advertisements stating that objective, up-to-date information on marijuana use and its effects was available.
Upon contact, callers were told that this was not a treatment study and were invited to the clinic for an assess-

R E S E A R C H R E V I E W M A R I J U A N A D E P E N D E N C E A N D I T S T R E AT M E N T 1 3

ment that would then be followed by a one-session personalized feedback session, a one-session therapistguided multimedia session (documentary and slide show
providing objective information on marijuana and its
effects), or a session (MET or multimedia) delayed by
7 weeks. Respondents to the advertisements were neardaily marijuana users, two-thirds of whom were in the
precontemplation or contemplation stage of change.
Over 12 months, the MCU condition resulted in greater
reductions in marijuana use and in associated problems
than the multimedia condition; however, absolute levels of change were relatively small. Nonetheless, like the
TMCU for adolescents, this study showed that this
intervention model attracted a unique sample of ambivalent marijuana users who may be ideal candidates for
secondary prevention interventions like the MCU.
Continued exploration of more potent MCU models
may yield a method for reaching marijuana users who
would otherwise not contact the typical treatment system, at least not at this stage of their use.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR TREATMENT
RESEARCH

Over the last 15 years, we have witnessed great advances

in the empirical base for treatment approaches to marijuana use disorders. Clear evidence has accumulated for
the efficacy of behavioral treatments similar to those
used for disorders involving alcohol and other drugs of
abuse. The goals for future research are more potent
treatment approaches and intervention strategies.
A better understanding of the mechanisms of action
of marijuana treatments and predictors of outcome
will lead, it is hoped, to innovations that can better match
individuals to specific therapeutic modalities or result
in modifications to approaches that deliver more of
the active ingredients necessary for change. For
example, with CM interventions, factors related to the
frequency, duration, and magnitude of the incentive
schedule used to reinforce abstinence are likely to affect
the potency of the intervention and influence outcome
(Lussier et al., 2006). In addition, researchers need to
continue exploring the potential use of pharmacotherapies as a primary or secondary treatment approach.
Recent advances in the understanding of the neurobiology of marijuanas actions make this a very promising
area of investigation. Continued development of costeffective interventions remains a priority. Other areas
that warrant focus include continuing care protocols to
prevent or reduce the severity of lapses or relapses, explo-

IS MARIJUANA UNIQUE?

large part of the general population has had personal experience

with marijuana, and most have not become addicted. Many find it
perplexing to contemplate how someone else could become addicted
to a drug they themselves have tried and can easily set aside or stop
using. Accordingly, they think marijuana dependence must qualitatively
differ from dependence on other drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, and
require unique treatment approaches.
People who develop problems with marijuana may indeed be different
from those who do not, but this phenomenon has been observed with
other substances of abuse. A comparison with alcohol use and dependence provides a case in point. The great majority of Americans have tried
alcohol and continue to drink alcoholic beverages regularly. However,
only an estimated 10 to 15 percent of alcohol drinkers develop problems,
and only some of these problem drinkers seek treatment. This is also
true of those who have tried cocaine or heroin (Anthony, Warner, and
Kessler, 1994).
That said, the experience of dependence on marijuana tends to be less
severe than that observed with cocaine, opiates, and alcohol (Budney,
2006; Budney et al., 1998). On average, individuals with marijuana
dependence meet fewer DSM dependence criteria; the withdrawal experience is not as dramatic; and the severity of the associated consequences is not as extreme. However, the apparently less severe nature of
marijuana dependence does not necessarily mean that marijuana addiction is easier to overcome. Many factors besides a drugs physiological
effectsincluding availability, frequency and pattern of use, perception
of harm, and costcan contribute to cessation outcomes and the
strength of addiction. The low cost of marijuana, the typical pattern of
multiple daily use by those addicted, the less dramatic consequences,
and ambivalence may increase the difficulty of quitting. Although determining the relative difficulty of quitting various substances of abuse is
complex, the treatment literature reviewed here suggests that the experience of marijuana abusers rivals that of those addicted to other substances.
We have argued elsewhere and reiterate here that animal and human
experiments, as well as the epidemiological and clinical literature, clearly
indicate that marijuana dependence is much more similar to than different from other substance dependencies (Budney, 2006; Budney and
Hughes, 2006). As with other substances, sociodemographic, environmental, genetic, and perhaps neurocognitive factors contribute to the
risk of marijuana abuse. Reasons for treatment seeking related to marijuana also appear similar to those for other substances (Budney et al.,
1998; Dennis et al., 2002; Stephens, Roffman, and Simpson, 1993), and
the rate of response to treatments appears similar to that observed for
other types of substance dependence (McRae, Budney, and Brady,
2003).

ration of different magnitude and schedules of reinforcement in CM interventions, and use of innovative
technologiessuch as computers and the Internetto

14 ADDICTION SCIENCE & CLINICAL PRACTICEDECEMBER 2007

There is a
pressing need
to tackle
issues related
to dissemination and
translation of
effective
treatments.

assist in delivery of treatment or continued care.

Equally important to treatment development research
is the pressing need to tackle issues related to dissemination of effective treatments. Unfortunately, the substance abuse services delivery system continues to lag far
behind research advances that delineate effective treatment approaches. Serious challenges related to access
and cost impede adoption of important scientific advances
in drug dependence treatment in general. The current
treatment system experiences difficulty recruiting, training, and retaining treatment staff; inadequate financing
to provide treatment; insufficient treatment availability
to meet demand; and slow adoption of research-based
treatment innovationsall of which contribute to limited access to the most effective treatments (Carroll and
Rounsaville, 2007; McLellan, Carise, and Kleber, 2003).
The availability of the proven treatments for marijuana
disordersMET, CBT, and CMis low, even though
evidence of their efficacy with substance dependence
problems other than marijuana dependence has been
documented for many years. Although the three treatments are mainstream among treatment researchers, few
community-based substance abuse counselors are currently trained to provide quality MET-CBT, and treatment providers remain ambivalent about CM interventions because of their cost and CMs basic premise
of providing incentives for abstinence (Kirby et al., 2006;
Ritter and Cameron, 2007). Treatment services research
must continue to investigate novel, efficient, and effective methods for treatment dissemination and implementation.
The good news is that the increased recognition that
marijuana can cause addiction and significant nega-

tive consequences in a subset of users has prompted the

development of marijuana-specific interventions and
treatment materials paralleling those for other substance
use disorders. These advances have increased users and
caregivers perceptions that it is acceptable to seek and
provide treatment for marijuana use and have contributed
to an increase in the number of individuals requesting
help. Optimistic expectations for enhancements to current treatment approaches appear warranted, as our
growing understanding of the principles underlying
behavioral treatments continues to produce innovative applications that demonstrate incremental gains in
efficacy. Rapid advances in the neurobiology associated
with marijuana and the cannabinoid system provide further hope for increasingly effective treatment options.
As well, check-up interventions hold promise both for
preventing more severe cases of marijuana dependence
and for increasing therapeutic contacts with marijuana abusers who might benefit from treatment.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Preparation of this paper was supported by research

grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse
(R01DA12471, R01DA15186, and R01DA23526) and
in part by the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, the major
research component of the Arkansas Master Tobacco
Settlement.
CORRESPONDENCE

Alan J. Budney, Ph.D., Center for Addiction Research,

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Slot 843,
4301 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205;
e-mail: ajbudney@uams.edu.

&

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R ESPONSE: AN INSIDIOUS DEPENDENCE

Dana Mackin, M.A.; Christopher Martin, M.D.; and Jill K. McGavin, Ph.D.

Ji ll M c Ga v i n : What struck me most in

the article (Budney et al., 2007) was the reference to the rise in treatment admissions
for primary marijuana dependence in the
last 10 years. An increase from 7 to 16
percent of treatment admissions is dramatic.
It makes me wonder what the next 10 or 15
years will bring. Im anxious to go back and
review the numbers in our treatment admissions for the past couple of years to see if
weve already started a shift that has gone
undetected.
Dana Mackin: I was relieved to see that Dr.
Budney and his coauthors addressed the
uniqueness of marijuana addiction. When
I first started reading their article, I was resistant to the idea that marijuana causes dependence, because when we think of addiction
we think of the extreme and striking consequences of methamphetamine or alcohol
abuse. On the other hand, we see the occasional person who has no problem dropping
alcohol or methamphetamine, but cannot
stop smoking pot.

McGavin: Marijuana dependence is usually

a co-occurring addiction and usually not

the more dramatic one. I work primarily

with veterans. On average, they are
in their 50s. About a third are primarily
alcohol-dependent, a third primarily cocainedependent, and a third primarily heroinor opioid-dependent. In only a few cases is
marijuana a primary dependency.

Christopher Martin: My experience is similar. However, I do see a fair number of patients

for whom marijuana abuse is a primary issue.
Many of them are young adults who are
involved in daily cannabis abuse and are not
functioning well. They havent moved out
of their parents homes and are spending a
lot of their time alone, playing video games
and sitting around the house.

ity, relapse is right around the corner.

Martin: Thats consistent with studies with

animal models, which have shown that drugs
have cross-priming properties. Animals
addicted to one substance, when exposed
to another reinforcing drug, will relapse to
use of the original substance. All of these
drugs have similar effects on the mesolimbic dopamine system and the reward circuitry, and its not surprising that one positively reinforcing substance can make it
difficult to stay away from another.

McGavin: Also, if youre hanging on the corner, youre more likely to be passed something you shouldnt be using.

Mackin: Marijuana dependence is definitely

Mackin: Right. It puts you back into the

an issue in our clients lives. Someone in

recovery who has a heroin or methamphetamine addiction is much more likely
to relapse after using pot or taking a drink.
A client of mine said, You dont relapse on
your drug of choice; you relapse with pot.
Smoke a joint, and 3 days later, youll have
a needle in your arm. In short, once you
cut out your executive decision-making abil-

environment, and you dont learn to deal

with anxiety or craving for your primary
drug without the aid of an external substance. Youre repeating the same behavior
with a different substance.

Benign reputation, debilitating effects

Mackin: Marijuanas worst feature is that it
is perceived as benign. Marijuana issues have