RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06576076

Cannabis, Linked Emotions, and Adolescent Risk Study

Characterizing Proximal Risk for Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation With Acute Cannabis Use and Withdrawal Among Adolescents Using Ecological Momentary Assessment

Sponsor

Massachusetts General Hospital

Enrollment

200 participants

Start Date

Feb 18, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Depression Suicidal Ideation Cannabis Use Adolescent Behavior

Summary

The goal of this study is to disentangle relationships between acute cannabis use and withdrawal on proximal depression and suicide risk and recovery in adolescents ages 12-18 years by incorporating time-varying patterns of substance use, mood, and SI. This project aims to guide the development of scalable, individualized, accessible, and affordable interventions aimed to reduce depression and suicide risk among adolescents.

Eligibility

Min Age: 12 YearsMax Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria9

Ages 12-18;
Current daily or near daily cannabis use (i.e., use ≥ 4 days per week on average; Timeline Followback);
Score ≥ 5 on PHQ-9;
Access to an internet-capable smartphone (iOS or Android);
Provision of at least 1 collateral contact for risk monitoring;
Provision of informed assent (or consent if 18 years or older) and parent/guardian consent if \<age 18;
Greater than 50% response rate to EMA prompts during the first EMA phase;
No immediate plan to discontinue cannabis use in the next 3 months;
Positive toxicology result for cannabis on baseline urinalysis.

Exclusion Criteria8

Any factor that impairs ability to comprehend and effectively participate, including acute intoxication at time of consent;
Cannabis use \>4 times/day on average (to maximize likelihood of capturing mood and SI during non-use times);
Inability to speak/write English fluently;
Gross cognitive impairment, for example due to florid psychosis, intellectual disability, developmental delay, or neurodegenerative disease;
Current epilepsy diagnosis;
Individuals who are under the legal protection of the government or state (wards of the state);
Response of "No" to the knowledge check question regarding EMA suicidality response time;
Inability to wear Fitbit device.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALContingency management for cannabis abstinence

Those randomized to the abstinence condition (CB-Abst) will be incentivized using an escalating reinforcement schedule for eight weeks of cannabis abstinence.