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Abstract: Among current cannabis users, about 15 % show problematic consumption behaviour. The proportion of clients with a cannabis use disorder has risen significantly in recent years, both in addiction and psychiatric care. Internationally, a variety of intervention programs have been developed for the counseling and treatment of cannabis addicts. Studies have shown that more intensive interventions showed better effects than brief interventions. Motivational interviewing and behavioral therapy interventions proved to be particularly effective. In the case of adolescent cannabis use, family therapy approaches are considered to be most effective. In Germany, several counselling and treatment programs have been developed, evaluated, and implemented in the field since the 2000s. Nevertheless, cannabis clients still seek professional help too late. In particular, family-oriented counselling and treatment services should be expanded to include parents and families of cannabis-using adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In 2003, the governments of Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland agreed that there was a need in Europe for a treatment programme for adolescents with cannabis use disorders and other behavioural problems. Based on an exhaustive literature review of evidence-based treatments and an international experts meeting, Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) was selected for a pilot study first, which was successful, and then for a joint, transnational randomized controlled trial named INCANT (INternational CAnnabis Need for Treatment). Methods/design INCANT is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with an open-label, parallel group design. This study compares MDFT with treatment as usual (TAU) at and across sites in Brussels, Berlin, Paris, The Hague and Geneva. Assessments are at baseline and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after randomization. A minimum of 450 cases in total is required; sites will recruit 60 cases each in Belgium and Switzerland, and a maximum of 120 each in France, Germany and the Netherlands. Eligible for INCANT are adolescents from 13 through 18 years of age with a cannabis use disorder (dependence or abuse), with at least one parent willing to take part in the treatment. Randomization is concealed to, and therefore beyond control by, the researcher/site requesting it. Randomization is stratified as to gender, age and level of cannabis consumption. Assessments focus on substance use; mental function; behavioural problems; and functioning regarding family, school, peers and leisure time. For outcome analyses, the study will use state of the art latent growth curve modelling techniques, including all randomized participants according to the intention-to-treat principle. INCANT has been approved by the appropriate ethical boards in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. INCANT is funded by the (federal) Ministries of Health of Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and by MILDT: the Mission Interministerielle de Lutte Contra la Drogue et de Toximanie, France. Discussion Until recently, cannabis use disorders in adolescents were not viewed in Europe as requiring treatment, and the co-occurrence of such disorders with other mental and behavioural problems was underestimated. This has changed now. Initially, there was doubt that a RCT would be feasible in treatment sectors and countries with no experience in this type of study. INCANT has proven that such doubts are unjustified. Governments and treatment sites from the five participating countries agreed on a sound study protocol, and the INCANT trial is now underway as planned. Trial registration ISRCTN51014277

Background and Objectives: Internet-based interventions are a viable treatment option for various mental problems. However, their effects on the burnout syndrome yielded mixed results. In this paper, we examine the efficacy of a structured and therapist-guided internet intervention, based on solution-focused and cognitive-behavioral therapy, for individuals with symptoms of burnout.Design: Two-arm, Internet-based, randomized, wait-list controlled trial (RCT).Methods: Participants were recruited through in-house events and online advertising. They were randomly assigned to the intervention or a wait-list. Group comparison was conducted three months after randomization. Outcomes were the burnout level according to the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-GS) and the levels of depression, anxiety and stress according to the DASS-21.Results: Thirty-nine participants were included in the trial; 36 (92.3%) took part at the 3-months-follow-up. Intention-to-treat analyses revealed significant group differences in favor of the intervention group in depression (d = 0.66), cynicism (d = 0.87) and personal accomplishment (d = 0.75).Conclusions: The intervention helped ameliorate symptoms of work-related stress and burnout. Although limited by a small sample size, the study suggests that the program provides effective support for affected individuals. However, further studies with bigger sample sizes should be conducted to examine the effects of such programs more precisely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the concurrent validity of the CRAFFT-d alcohol abuse screening test for adolescents., Method: This criterion-related validity study compared the decisions of the CRAFFT-d with the decisions of the concurrently administered Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Data was obtained from an online questionnaire including CRAFFT-d and AUDIT., Results: Of the 12250 participants, 54.2 % were found to have an alcohol use disorder due to the AUDIT. CRAFFT-d identifies 63.6 % with problematic alcohol consumption. The Phi-coefficient showed high agreement between AUDIT and CRAFFT-d classifications (Phi Phi = .57; chi(2) 3978.671**; df = 1, p > .001). At a score of 2 or higher, CRAFFT showed sensitivity of 88.8 % and specificity of 66.2 %., Conclusion: The CRAFFT-d is a valid instrument for screening adolescents for problematic alcohol consumption. However, further comparison of CRAFFT items with diagnostic criteria for adolescents is needed.

Since more than 30 years cannabis is the most common illicit drug in Germany and other European countries. According to different Studies conducted in representative community samples, it can be assumed, that every fifth woman and about every third man, aged 18 to 59 years had used cannabis at least once. Epidemiologic studies also show that cannabis use is strongly associated with adolescence and young adulthood, though. Thus, cannabis consumption significantly increases from age 15, while beginning with the age 23 the proportion of cannabis consumers continuously decreases. Following the results of current studies the majority of consumers uses cannabis rather occasional. Nevertheless about 10-15% of the current consumers show patterns of cannabis dependence according to international diagnostic criteria. Although counselling centres note an increasing demand for addiction specific treatment, cannabis users still remain a small group in treatment centre statistics.