Current Substance Abuse Projects

"Teen Marijuana Check-Up 5" (A Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of a School-Based Teen Marijuana Checkup)

    PIs: Denise Walker & Bryan Hartzler
    Co-Is: Aaron Lyon and Kevin King

    Funding Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant No. 1 R01 DA040650

    Start/End Dates: May 2016 through February 2020

    Description:This study is a continuation of 4 previous NIDA-funded projects that developed and evaluated the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a brief intervention (The Teen Marijuana Check-Up) intended to attract voluntary participation from adolescents who smoke marijuana. The interventions are designed to provide adolescents who are not seeking treatment with an opportunity to weigh the pros and cons of smoking marijuana through the provision of objective information regarding marijuana use. This is a motivational enhancement intervention designed for non-treatment seeking adolescents who smoke marijuana. This study will be implemented in 10-12 local high schools. There are two main aims under investigation: 1) how do students respond when a marijuana intervention is offered by school staff and 2) what level of supervision is required for interventionists to provide competent Motivational Interviewing sessions.

Past Cannabis/Substance Abuse Projects

 

"Marijuana and Tobacco Treatment Study"

    Subcontract PI: Denise Walker

    Prime award PI: Alan Budney

    Funding Source: National Institutes of Health Grant No. 5R01DA032243

    Start/End Dates: May 2015 through January 2017

    Description: The study offered a 12-24 week program, to adult marijuana and tobacco users, who were interested in trying to quit marijuana, that includes a combination of individual and computer assisted counseling sessions.  Incentives were provided for achieving abstinence from marijuana, based on twice weekly drug testing. Each session was centered on identifying, learning, and practicing the skills needed to quit smoking marijuana.  The program also provided assistance with quitting tobacco for those who were interested, including free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (gum, lozenges, and patches).  

"Motivating Treatment Seeking and Behavior Change by Untreated Military Personnel Abusing Alcohol or Drugs"

    PI: Denise Walker

    Co-Is: Lyungai Mbilinyi, Roger Roffman and Clayton Neighbors

    Funding Source: Department of Defense Grant No. W81XWH0920135

    Start/End Dates: September 2009 through August 2015

    Description: A brief substance abuse intervention (“The Warrior Check-Up”), for U.S. Army personnel who meet substance abuse or dependence criteria will be developed and tested in an efficacy trial. The intervention is an adaptation of motivational enhancement therapy, a brief intervention that provides an opportunity for individuals concerned or ambivalent about a problem behavior to take stock of the behavior and explore options for change. The counselor, trained in the use of motivational interviewing skills, supports the client in resolving ambivalence about committing to change. This intervention is intended to increase the individual’s motivation to decrease substance use and related consequences and promote treatment seeking.

"Teen Marijuana Check-Up 4"

    PI: Denise Walker
    Co-Is: Roger Roffman, UW and Robert S. Stephens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

    Funding Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant No. 5 RO1 DA14296

    Start/End Dates: March 2010 through February 2016

    Description:This study is a continuation of 3 previous NIDA-funded projects that developed and evaluated the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a brief intervention (The Teen Marijuana Check-Up) intended to attract voluntary participation from adolescents who smoke marijuana. The interventions are designed to provide adolescents who are not seeking treatment with an opportunity to weigh the pros and cons of smoking marijuana through the provision of objective information regarding marijuana use. The present study will evaluate the efficacy of this intervention with an adequate sample size to determine its impact on adolescent marijuana use and readiness to change.

"Marijuana Dependence Treatment PRN"

    PI: Denise Walker
    Co-PIs: Roger Roffman, Robert S. Stephens (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

    Funding Source: National Institutes of Health, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Grant No. 2R01DA014050-06A2.

    Start/End Dates: August 2009 through July 2011.

    Description: A two-year study will be conducted to preliminarily evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention focusing on adult marijuana dependence. The intervention will involve an adaptation of motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive behavior therapy. The objective will be to motivate marijuana dependent adults to maintain treatment gains post-treatment.  

"Development and Efficacy Test of Computerized Treatment for Marijuana Abuse"

    Subcontract Co-I: Denise Walker
    PI of Prime Award: Alan Budney, University for Arkansas Medical Sciences

    Funding Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant No. 5 R01 DA023526.

    Start/End Dates: July 2008 through June 2011

    Description: Following a one-year development and pilot testing protocol, a randomized clinical trial will compare therapist-delivered MET/CBT/CM vs. computer-delivered MET/CBT/CM. Comparative efficacy data and assessment of hypothesized mechanisms of change related to treatment process will provide scientific information directly relevant to our overarching goal of developing and disseminating cost-effective treatments for cannabis disorders.

"Teen Marijuana Check-Up 3"

    PI: Roger Roffman
    Co-PI: Robert S. Stephens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    Co-I and Project Director: Denise Walker

    Funding Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant No. 2 RO1 DA14296-04.

    Start/End Dates: September 2004 through June 2009

    Description: This study is a continuation of 2 previous NIDA-funded projects that developed and evaluated the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a brief intervention (The Teen Marijuana Check-Up) intended to attract voluntary participation from adolescents who smoke marijuana. The interventions are designed to provide adolescents who are not seeking treatment with an opportunity to weigh the pros and cons of smoking marijuana through the provision of objective information regarding marijuana use. The present study will evaluate the efficacy of this intervention with an adequate sample size to determine its impact on adolescent marijuana use and readiness to change. 300 teens from six Seattle high schools will be enrolled over a 3-year period. Participants will complete a computerized assessment pre-intervention and 3 and 12-months post-intervention.

"Marijuana Treatment Project"

    PI: Roger Roffman
    Co-PI: Robert S. Stephens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    Clinical Director: Denise Walker

    Funding Source: National Institutes of Health Grant No. 1 RO 1 DA14050-01A1.

    Start/End Dates: September 2001 through August 2006

    Description: In this randomized controlled trial, two alternate formats of a counseling intervention are being evaluated. Adults who meet diagnostic criteria for marijuana dependence are randomized to either 9 sessions of individual counseling, or 4 sessions plus the opportunity to return for additional sessions, if needed, over a 30-month period. Both conditions involve cognitive behavioral skills training, motivational enhancement therapy, and case management. All participants are re-assessed periodically over a 3-year period.

"Teen Marijuana Check-Up 2" (Sep. 2001 - Aug. 2004)

    PI: Roger Roffman
    Co-PI: Robert S. Stephens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    Clinical Director: Denise Walker

    Funding Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant No. 1 RO1 DA14296-01.

    Description: In this randomized controlled trial, a brief motivational enhancement intervention was evaluated with non-treatment-seeking adolescents in four Seattle high schools. Participants were offered a personalized feedback report concerning their marijuana use. Specific goals for change and behavior change strategies were discussed with participants who wish support in making changes.
"Marijuana Check-Up 2" (Jul. 2000 - Dec. 2003).
    PI: Roger Roffman
    Co-PI: Robert S. Stephens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    Clinical Director: Denise Walker

    Funding Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant No. 1 RO1 DAO9425.

    Description: This study was a continuation of a previous NIDA-funded project that evaluated a brief intervention (The Marijuana Check-Up) for adult marijuana smokers who had concerns about their use, but were not ready to change. This study will evaluate an extended version of the check-up intervention that offers four additional sessions to participants.
"Adolescent Marijuana Check-Up (TMCU1)" (1998-2000).
    PI: Roger Roffman
    Funding Source: Supplement to NIDA Grant No. 1 RO1 DAO9425-01A2.

"Efficacy of Brief Treatment with Marijuana Dependence" (1996-1999).
    PI: Roger Roffman
    Funding Source: SAMHSA/CSAT Grant 1 UR4 TI11270.

"The Marijuana Check-Up" (1996-1997).
    PI: Roger Roffman
    Funding Source: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington.

"Relapse Prevention in Treatment of Marijuana Dependence" (1989-1994).
    PI: Roger Roffman
    Funding Source: NIDA Grant DAO3586.

"Relapse Prevention in Treatment of Marijuana Dependence" (1986-1989).
    PI: Roger Roffman
    Funding Source: NIDA Grant DAO3586.
 

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