Speakers: Roger A. Roffman, D. S.W., Professor, School of Social Work, University of Washington
Robert S. Stephens, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute

National Conference on Marijuana Use: Conference Summary
Prevention, Treatment, and Research DAY 2

These programs were marketed to a highly targeted population: adults in the Seattle area who were interested in reducing or abstaining from marijuana usage and wanted support. Two studies were funded, the first of which drew more than 500 interested individuals and the second more than 700. People who used the drug 50 or more times in the 90 days prior to the beginning of the study qualified for the program. In the most recent study, subjects were randomly assigned to one of two treatments in addition to a delayed treatment control group.

Group Counseling Approach

This approach provided participants the opportunity to join a group of 10 to 12 other adults trying to end their dependence on marijuana. Fourteen groups were conducted for the study. The group met once a week for

14 weeks (sessions) and was led by two cotherapists. Individuals were able to join the group without proving that they had stopped "smoking pot" prior to requesting assistance. Therefore, individuals entered the groups at varying levels of dependence. The intervention was designed to help people quit using marijuana by the fourth week (session). Individuals were not asked to leave the group if they were unable to completely stop using marijuana. Instead, those still using the drug were encouraged, by the therapists and group members, to continue trying to stop.

Individualized Assessment and Intervention

This three-session intervention was the second approach to which participants were randomly assigned.

Session 1 was an assessment session that provided an overview to the client, an indepth discussion about the client's use of marijuana and reasons for favoring or opposing quitting, and answers to questions the client had about quitting or modifying use. Session 2 was a feedback session conducted 1 week after the assessment session, employing motivational interviewing strategies to assist the individual in resolving ambivalence about changing. During the feedback session, clients who decided to quit smoking marijuana were advised how to prepare for stopping and how to deal with relapse risks. A 30-day plan was developed as an opportunity to try out the behavior change (reducing or stopping usage). A review session was conducted with the client after 30 days had passed. At this session, clients were debriefed about their experiences, and the therapist assisted the client in considering future goals and identifying available supportive resources.

Following the end of these counseling approaches, both types of intervention were found to be equally successful. The researchers concluded that a brief, three-session intervention that focuses on assisting clients to resolve their mixed feelings about change, identifies short-term goals that can be worked on over a 30-day period, provides advice about initiating change, and reviews progress after 30 days have passed may be an effective counseling approach for many chronic marijuana smokers. Future studies will be needed to identify the best match of brief and extended counseling approaches for clients with varying needs.