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Zvolensky MJ, Bakhshaie J, Redmond BY, Garey L, de Dios M, Cano MÁ, Schmidt NB. Anxiety sensitivity reduction-smoking cessation intervention among individuals who engage in dual cigarette and cannabis use: A secondary analysis. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 156:209211. [PMID: 37931686 PMCID: PMC11200176 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cannabis use among individuals who smoke is prevalent in the general population and related to adverse health effects, including higher levels of interoceptive perturbation (i.e., a disturbance in internal experiences). An important aspect of smoking cessation among individuals who co-use cannabis is to address behavioral associations between physiological sensations and habitual behaviors via integrated treatments focused on reducing reactivity to internal perturbations such as anxiety sensitivity (i.e., the belief that such symptoms produce personal harm). METHODS The current study involved a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of an integrated anxiety sensitivity-smoking cessation intervention compared to standard smoking cessation. The current study sought to extend findings from the initial trial to examine if the integrated intervention produced better smoking cessation outcomes than standard care among individuals who engage in dual cigarette and cannabis use. Participants were 149 adults who engage in dual cigarette and cannabis use (41.6 % female; Mage = 30.89, SD = 13.1). RESULTS Results indicated that the anxiety sensitivity intervention produced statistically significant differences in distal (long-term) smoking abstinence at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up assessments but not proximal (short-term; quit-week to 2-weeks) smoking abstinence. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the potential of an integrated anxiety sensitivity smoking cessation intervention to yield better long-term smoking abstinence rates than standard cessation treatment among individuals who engage in dual cigarette and cannabis use is clinically significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Zvolensky
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Jafar Bakhshaie
- Integrated Brain Health Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, 1 Bowdoin Square, Suite 100, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brooke Y Redmond
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lorra Garey
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Marcel de Dios
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Miguel Ángel Cano
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
| | - Norman B Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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Orr MF, Heggeness LF, Mehta N, Moya J, Manning K, Garey L, Hogan J, de Dios M, Zvolensky MJ. Anxiety sensitivity and cigarette use on cannabis use problems, perceived barriers for cannabis cessation, and self-efficacy for quitting among adults with cannabis use disorder. Addict Behav 2023; 137:107509. [PMID: 36194977 PMCID: PMC10080994 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Many individuals diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (CUD) report a desire to quit using cannabis due to problems associated with use. Yet, successful abstinence is difficult for a large subset of this population. Thus, the present study sought to elucidate potential risk factors for cannabis use problems, perceived barriers for quitting, and diminished self-efficacy for remaining abstinent. Specifically, this investigation examined cigarette user status, anxiety sensitivity, and the interplay between these individual difference factors in terms of cannabis-related problems, perceived barriers for cannabis cessation, and self-efficacy for quitting cannabis use. The sample consisted of 132 adult cannabis users who met criteria for CUD and were interested in quitting (38 % female; 63.6 % Black; Mage = 37.22; SDage = 28.79; 54.6 % current tobacco users). Findings revealed a significant interaction, such that anxiety sensitivity was related to cannabis use problems and perceived barriers for cannabis cessation among current cigarette users, but not among cigarette non-users. There was no significant interaction for self-efficacy for remaining abstinent. The current findings suggest that cigarette users constitute a subgroup that may be especially vulnerable to the effects of anxiety sensitivity in terms of cannabis use problems and perceived barriers for quitting cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Orr
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Luke F Heggeness
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nirvi Mehta
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jacob Moya
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kara Manning
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lorra Garey
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Julianna Hogan
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Center for Innovation in Quality, Effectives and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA; South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Marcel de Dios
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael J Zvolensky
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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Byers ES, Olthuis JV, O'Sullivan LF, Connell EM. Anxiety Sensitivity in the Sexual Context: Links between Sexual Anxiety Sensitivity and Sexual Well-Being. JOURNAL OF SEX & MARITAL THERAPY 2022:1-13. [PMID: 36522833 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2022.2156955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety sensitivity, the fear of physiological arousal sensations, has been linked to lower sexual frequency, poorer sexual function, and greater sexual anxiety. The current study assessed whether anxiety sensitivity specific to the sexual context, termed sexual anxiety sensitivity, was linked to a wide range of indicators of sexual well-being over and above associations accounted for by general anxiety sensitivity. As a first step, we developed the Sexual Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory (SASI). Participants were 484 adults aged 19 to 60 years old who completed an on-line survey. To develop the SASI, we constructed parallel items to those on the Anxiety Sensitivity Scale-3 (ASI-3; Taylor et al., 2007). The SASI demonstrated the same three-factor structure as the ASI-3 and showed high internal consistency providing evidence for its reliability. As predicted, sexual anxiety sensitivity was significantly associated with all ten of the markers of the behavioral, cognitive-affective, and functional domains of sexual well-being assessed and six of these associations remained significant after controlling for general anxiety sensitivity. The results provide evidence that sexual anxiety sensitivity is an important construct for understanding individuals' sexual well-being and provide initial evidence that the specificity of the SASI has value as a reliable and valid measure for assessing sex-related anxiety sensitivity. Implications for clinicians and researchers are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Sandra Byers
- Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, New Brunswick, NB, Canada
| | - Janine V Olthuis
- Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, New Brunswick, NB, Canada
| | - Lucia F O'Sullivan
- Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, New Brunswick, NB, Canada
| | - Emma M Connell
- Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, New Brunswick, NB, Canada
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Interoceptive anxiety-related processes: Importance for understanding COVID-19 and future pandemic mental health and addictive behaviors and their comorbidity. Behav Res Ther 2022; 156:104141. [PMID: 35752013 PMCID: PMC9212258 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with an increased prevalence of mental health problems and addictive behaviors. There is a growing theoretical and empirical evidence that individual differences in interoceptive anxiety-related processes are a one set of vulnerability factors that are important in understanding the impact of pandemic-related mental health problems and addictive behavior. However, there has not been a comprehensive effort to explore this rapidly growing body of research and its implications for public health. In this paper, we discuss why interoceptive anxiety-related processes are relevant to understanding mental health and addictive behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. We then provide a narrative review of the available COVID-19 literature linking interoceptive fear and anxiety-related processes (e.g., anxiety sensitivity, health anxiety, and COVID-19 anxiety, fear, and worry) to mental health and addictive behaviors. We then propose a novel transdiagnostic theoretical model that highlights the role of interoceptive anxiety-related processes in mental health and addictive behavior in the context of the present and future pandemics. In the final section, we utilize this conceptualization to underscore clinical implications and provide guidance for future research initiatives in the management of COVID-19 mental health and addictive behaviors and inform the public health field for future pandemics.
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Zvolensky MJ, Kauffman BY, Garey L, Buckner JD. Abstinence phobia among adult African American/Black cannabis users. Addict Behav 2022; 132:107344. [PMID: 35569320 PMCID: PMC10029065 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE African American/Black individuals experience significant health disparities, particularly as it relates to cannabis use. As such, there is a need to identify intrapersonal factors related to more severe patterns of use among this subpopulation. Worry about quitting or reducing cannabis as a result of the anticipated anxiety-related states during deprivation (i.e., abstinence phobia) is one factor that is theoretically important in the context of cannabis-related disparities. METHOD The current study sought to examine the cross-sectional association between abstinence phobia and cannabis use problems, perceived barriers for cannabis cessation, and cannabis withdrawal symptoms. Participants included 83 African American/Black cannabis users (31.3% female, Mage = 38.12, SD = 10.42). RESULTS Cannabis abstinence phobia was associated with greater severity of cannabis use problems, more perceived barriers for quitting cannabis use, and more severe cannabis withdrawal symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Abstinence phobia may represent an underrecognized intervention target for addressing cannabis use problems and quit success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Zvolensky
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | | | - Lorra Garey
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Julia D Buckner
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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Short NA, Evans MK, Raudales AM, Shapiro M, Weiss NH, Schmidt NB. Anxiety sensitivity and cannabis use motives among trauma-exposed young adult cannabis users. Am J Addict 2022; 31:242-250. [PMID: 35365953 PMCID: PMC9117414 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Anxiety sensitivity, or fear of anxious arousal, may be an important risk factor for problematic cannabis use. Specifically, anxiety sensitivity may motivate cannabis use to cope with distress, particularly among trauma-exposed individuals. The current study tested associations among anxiety sensitivity, its subdomains, and cannabis use motives in a sample of trauma-exposed cannabis users. We hypothesized elevated anxiety sensitivity, particularly cognitive concerns, would be associated with increased maladaptive coping use motives, after covarying for the number of traumas and cannabis use quantity. METHOD Hypotheses were tested in a cross-sectional study of trauma-exposed young adult cannabis users (N = 56) (Mage = 20.7 years, 59% women, 73% white). Participants completed self-report measures, and a clinical interview assessing cannabis use quantity. RESULTS Multiple regression analyses indicated that elevated anxiety sensitivity was associated with increased cannabis use coping motives, after covarying for the number of traumas experienced and cannabis use quantity. Specifically, higher levels of anxiety sensitivity cognitive and social concerns were associated with coping motives for cannabis use. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Anxiety sensitivity, particularly concerns about cognitive dyscontrol and negative social evaluations of anxious arousal, may motivate cannabis use to cope with stress among trauma-exposed cannabis users. Future research should include prospective studies with diverse samples to replicate results and determine whether intervening on anxiety sensitivity could reduce maladaptive coping motives for cannabis use. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE The current study replicates prior research indicating anxiety sensitivity, particularly cognitive concerns, is associated with maladaptive cannabis use. Expanding on prior research, findings indicated anxiety sensitivity is associated with coping motives for cannabis use among trauma-exposed cannabis users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A. Short
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mariah K. Evans
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Alexa M. Raudales
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
| | - Mary Shapiro
- Southeastern Louisiana VA Health Care System, New Orleans, LA
| | - Nicole H. Weiss
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
| | - Norman B. Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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Karoly HC, Ross JM, Prince MA, Zabelski AE, Hutchison KE. Effects of cannabis use on alcohol consumption in a sample of treatment-engaged heavy drinkers in Colorado. Addiction 2021; 116:2529-2537. [PMID: 33464670 PMCID: PMC8286984 DOI: 10.1111/add.15407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cannabis is commonly used among people who drink alcohol, but evidence suggests a nuanced relationship between alcohol consumption and cannabis use. In particular, among individuals undergoing alcohol treatment the impact of cannabis on alcohol intake may depend upon cannabis use frequency. We aimed to test the effects of within-day cannabis use on total drinks consumed and likelihood of binge drinking on a given day among all participants and compare these relationships between males and females and between individuals who reported infrequent and frequent cannabis use. DESIGN This observational study is a substudy of a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT). Individuals were included from the RCT if they reported any cannabis use and were divided into groups based on cannabis use patterns. Alcohol use was compared within and between groups. SETTING Individuals were recruited from 2016 to 2020 from community and university settings in Denver and Boulder, CO, USA. PARTICIPANTS Of the 182 individuals enrolled in the RCT, 96 cannabis-using subjects were included in these analyses. MEASUREMENTS Subjects completed a time-line follow-back (TLFB) at baseline, 4, 8 (end of treatment) and 20 weeks. Daily data on alcohol and cannabis use from the TLFB at all time-points were analyzed. FINDINGS Across the sample (n = 96), individuals drank approximately 29% fewer drinks [95% confidence interval (CI) = 18-39%, P < 0.001] and were 2.06 times (95% CI =1.37-3.08, P < 0.001) less likely to have a binge-drinking episode on days that cannabis was used compared with days that cannabis was not used. These patterns were observed in males, females and the infrequent and frequent cannabis use groups. Findings were inconclusive regarding differences in the association between cannabis use and alcohol outcomes when comparing males and females and when comparing infrequent and frequent cannabis use groups. CONCLUSIONS Heavy drinkers engaged in treatment to reduce their alcohol consumption who also use cannabis appear to increase their cannabis use on days when they reduce their alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hollis C Karoly
- Institute for Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - J Megan Ross
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Mark A Prince
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Alexandra E Zabelski
- Institute for Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Kent E Hutchison
- Institute for Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
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Smit T, Rogers AH, Garey L, Allan NP, Viana AG, Zvolensky MJ. Anxiety sensitivity and pain intensity independently predict opioid misuse and dependence in chronic pain patients. Psychiatry Res 2020; 294:113523. [PMID: 33189986 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The United States (US) population consumes an estimated 68% of the world's prescribed opioids each year, and over 2 million adults in the US suffer from an opioid use disorder. Although chronic pain populations are among the highest risk segments of the general population for opioid misuse and dependence, there is little understanding of individual risk characteristics that may contribute to greater risk for these outcomes among this group. The present investigation explored the concurrent role of anxiety sensitivity and pain intensity and their interaction in relation to opioid misuse and dependence among 429 adults with chronic pain (73.9% female, Mage = 38.32 years, SD = 11.07). Results revealed that both anxiety sensitivity and pain intensity were associated with opioid misuse and dependence. There was no evidence of an interaction for either outcome. Post-hoc analyses indicated that of the lower-order anxiety sensitivity facets, physical and mental incapacitation concerns contributed to variance in opioid misuse and only mental incapacitation concerns contributed to variance in opioid dependence. Overall, the current findings suggest the importance of assessing anxiety sensitivity in screening for opioid-related problems among persons with chronic pain, as it may represent a distinct pathway to poorer opioid-related outcomes among this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Smit
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrew H Rogers
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lorra Garey
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Andres G Viana
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael J Zvolensky
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
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Cannabis use among US adults with anxiety from 2008 to 2017: The role of state-level cannabis legalization. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 214:108163. [PMID: 32707516 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis use is more common among adults with anxiety. Cannabis legalization is occurring rapidly across the United States (US) and individuals may use cannabis to cope with anxiety. This study investigated whether cannabis use across the US has changed differentially by anxiety status and by state cannabis legalization for medical (MML) and/or recreational use (RML). METHODS Public and restricted-use data from the 2004 to 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an annual cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of US individuals, were analyzed. The prevalence of past-30-day cannabis use by anxiety status in 2017 was estimated among respondents ages ≥18 (n = 42,554) by sociodemographics and state-level cannabis law. Weighted logistic regressions with continuous year as the predictor for the linear time trend were used to examine the time trends in cannabis use by anxiety and cannabis law status from 2004 to 2017 (total combined analytic sample n = 398,967). RESULTS Cannabis use was consistently two to three times higher among those with high anxiety compared to those with some or no anxiety and was higher in states with RML compared to MML or no MML/RML. Cannabis use has increased over time among those with and without anxiety overall, in MML states, and in states without MML/RML; with a faster increase in cannabis use among those with high anxiety compared to lower anxiety in states with MML. CONCLUSIONS Cannabis use is increasing among American adults overall, yet is disproportionately common among Americans with anxiety especially among those residing in states where cannabis has been legalized.
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Peraza N, Smit T, Garey L, Manning K, Buckner JD, Zvolensky MJ. Distress tolerance and cessation-related cannabis processes: The role of cannabis use coping motives. Addict Behav 2019; 90:164-170. [PMID: 30408699 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.10.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Robust evidence implicates perceived distress tolerance as a risk factor for maladaptive cannabis use and poorer cannabis cessation outcomes. Past work suggests that perceived distress tolerance may be related to an array of clinically-relevant cannabis processes and outcomes via cannabis coping motives. Although promising, the generalizability of this work to racially/ethnically diverse samples of adult cannabis users is unknown. Additionally, investigation into alternative cannabis processes has been limited and has not controlled for the effects of other cannabis motives. Thus, the present study investigated cannabis coping motives as an explanatory variable for the relation between perceived distress tolerance and cannabis use processes that may impede cessation (e.g., cannabis use cravings, perceived barriers to cannabis cessation, and withdrawal symptoms) among an ethnically diverse sample of current cannabis using adults. Participants included 131 adult cannabis users (Mage = 36.67 years; 29.8% female; 59.2% Black, 26.2% White, 16.0% Hispanic). Results indicated that perceived distress tolerance was indirectly associated with all criterion variables through cannabis coping motives after controlling for the variance attributable to four other motives. The current study builds upon previous theoretically-supported work by examining these models among an ethnically diverse sample of current cannabis using adults and testing alternative cessation-related cannabis processes while controlling for the independent effects of four other cannabis motives.
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Buckner JD, Zvolensky MJ, Ecker AH, Schmidt NB, Lewis EM, Paulus DJ, Lopez-Gamundi P, Crapanzano KA, Bakhshaie J. Integrated cognitive behavioral therapy for comorbid cannabis use and anxiety disorders: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Behav Res Ther 2018; 115:38-45. [PMID: 30442329 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2018.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is the most common illicit substance use disorder and individuals with CUD have high rates of comorbid anxiety disorders. Comorbidity between CUD and anxiety disorders is of public health relevance given that although motivation enhancement therapy (MET) combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an efficacious intervention for CUD, outcomes are worse for patients with elevated anxiety. The current study tested the acceptability and efficacy of the integration of a transdiagnostic anxiety CBT (i.e., treatment of patients with any anxiety disorder) with MET-CBT (integrated cannabis and anxiety reduction treatment, or ICART) for CUD compared to MET-CBT alone. Treatment-seeking cannabis users (56.4% male, Mage = 23.2, 63.3% non-Hispanic White) with CUD and at least one comorbid anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to ICART (n = 27) or MET-CBT (n = 28). Patients in the ICART condition attended significantly more treatment sessions than those in the MET-CBT condition. Patients in the ICART condition were more likely to be abstinent post-treatment than those in MET-CBT. Further, treatment produced decreases in cannabis use and related problems. Notably, therapy type did not moderate the impact of treatment on frequency of use and related problems. Together, these data suggest that ICART may be at least as efficacious as a gold-standard psychosocial CUD treatment, MET-CBT, for a difficult-to-treat subpopulation of cannabis users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael J Zvolensky
- University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States; University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Anthony H Ecker
- South Central Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, Houston, TX, United States; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | | | | | - Paula Lopez-Gamundi
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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