Quit the Shit (Germany)

Description:

Quit the Shit is an online intervention targeted at cannabis users and forms part of a wider drug prevention website. The program is in German and aims to help people to quit or significantly reduce their cannabis use. Registration includes an online questionnaire and is followed by an admission chat with a clinician. The program itself lasts for 50 days and involves you keeping an online diary in which you record all relevant aspects of your cannabis use. Once per week you receive feedback from a clinician based on your diary entries. An online forum is also open to all registered users. Finally, the program ends with another chat with a clinician in order to consider the extent to which you reached your goals and to determine if you require further professional help. The program is freely available to all residents in Germany.

Service URL:

https://www.quit-the-shit.net/qts/start.do

Agency Responsible:

German Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA).

Details

Format:

Website.

Intervention Type:

Other. Self regulation and self control

Course Length:

Moderate (2-5 modules). 50 day program, including an online diary, regular feedback, a discussion forum

Support Option:

Clinical support. and peer support

Target Audience

Primary Category:

Substance abuse. Specifically for cannabis users

Target Audiences:

Adult and Young Adult.

Language:

German.

Access

Fee:

Free.

Access:

Open: With registration. The program can be completed anonymously - only an email address is required

Contact Details:

beratung@quit-the-shit.net

 

Research evidence

Research Trials:

1

Research RCTs:

1

Outcome Summary:

One randomised controlled study has examined the effectiveness of the Quit the Shit intervention. Participants were randomised to either an intervention or wait-list control group - and those in the former group showed a significantly stronger reduction in both frequency and quantity of cannabis use. Moreover, participants in the intervention group showed enhanced self-efficacy and significantly lower anxiety/depression and higher life satisfaction compared to the control group. Such findings suggest this program can offer an effective form of treatment for cannabis users.

Recommended rating, reviewer 1:

Recommended rating, reviewer 2:

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Research paper citations

Tossman, H-P., Jonas, B., Tensil, M-D., Lang, P., Struber, E. (2011) A Controlled Trial of an Internet-Based Intervention Program for Cannabis Users. Cyberpsychology, Behaviour and Social Networking, 14 (11), 673-679.