Can Reduce

Description:

Can Reduce is a self-help web-based intervention based on the methods of CBT, motivational interviewing and behavioural self-management. The course is designed to help those who wish to reduce or completely stop smoking cannabis. A consumption diary is also filled out as part of the course to monitor progress. The course is delivered over 6 modules that focus on areas including strategies for goal setting and achievement, identifying and dealing with risky situations, dealing with cravings and relapse prevention. The course also provides information, including the history af cannabis use and associated risks to physical and mental health. 

Service URL:

https://canreduce.ch/

Agency Responsible:

Institut für Suchtund Gesundheitsforschung (Swiss Institute for Addiction and Health Research) Zürich, Switzerland and ARUD.

Details

Format:

Website.

Intervention Type:

Psychological – CBT. motivational interviewing and behavioural self-management

Course Length:

Long (more than 5 modules). 8 modules over 6 weeks

Support Option:

Automated only. Study underway, some participants to receive online contact with a therapist.

Target Audience

Primary Category:

Substance abuse. cannabis

Target Audience:

Adult.

Language:

German.

Access

Fee:

Free.

Access:

Closed: Research participation.

Contact Details:

info@canreduce.ch

Research evidence

Research Trials:

1

Research RCTs:

1

Outcome Summary:

Can Reduce was tested in a three-arm RCT (1) with N=308, testing the intervention with or without online chat counselling against a waitlist control group. The self-help group did not differ significantly from the waitlist control group in terms of number of days of cannabis use per week after 3 months, however the intervention group with chat counselling did have significantly less cannabis use than both the control group and the self-help group after 3 months. So there is some evidence to suggest that in combination with therapist contact, Can Reduce can help reduce cannabis consumption. Another study is currently underway testing a modified version of the program.

Recommended rating, reviewer 1:

Recommended rating, reviewer 2:

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Research paper citations

RCTs:

(1) Schaub, M. P., Wenger, A., Berg, O., Beck, T., Stark, L., Buehler, E., & Haug, S. (2015). A web-based self-help intervention with and without chat counseling to reduce cannabis use in problematic cannabis users: three-arm randomized controlled trial. Journal of medical Internet research, 17(10).

Other papers:

Schaub, M. P., Haug, S., Wenger, A., Berg, O., Sullivan, R., Beck, T., & Stark, L. (2013). Can reduce-the effects of chat-counseling and web-based self-help, web-based self-help alone and a waiting list control program on cannabis use in problematic cannabis users: a randomized controlled trial. BMC psychiatry, 13(1), 305. (STUDY PROTOCOL)