Report of an integrated brief intervention with self-defined problem cannabis users

A range of strategies have been employed elsewhere to treat cannabis dependency, but until recently few treatment options were available in Australia. This article discusses the development and evaluation of the trial on a Integrated Brief Intervention (IBI) with self-defined problem cannabis users in Melbourne. Sixty-one people were recruited to the intervention between December 1997 and June 1998. Participants received a brief one-to-one clinical assessment interview and received self-help materials. Due to time limitations only 33 persons were eligible for inclusion in the evaluation involving follow-up interviews at 1 and 3 months to assess the impact of the intervention. Most participants reported a marked reduction in the frequency and/or quantity of cannabis used. These positive changes in patterns of use are reported to have resulted in improved health and social functioning. It is suggested that while these results support the use of brief interventions, further research is needed to determine whether this type of brief intervention is a cost-effective way for treating cannabis dependency. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.