DuCATA_GAM-CaT: Study protocol for a dual-user cannabis and tobacco addiction trial investigating patterns of use and withdrawal syndrome (Preprint)

Abstract

Background. Approximately one in six cannabis users develops a cannabis use disorder (CUD) and the odds increasing to one in two among daily users. The DuCATA project aims to identify cannabis-tobacco withdrawal symptoms among individuals with CUD who are attending substance abuse programs (SAP). Methods. The DuCATA project employs a mixed-methods approach consisting of three studies. First, a participatory qualitative study involves focus groups comprised of individuals with CUD, clinicians, project researchers, and an expert gamification company to co-design a gamified application. Second, a longitudinal prospective study will follow individuals with CUD attending SAP for six weeks. Participants will report their cannabis-tobacco usage patterns, type and frequency of tobacco use, nicotine dependence, withdrawal symptoms, psychoemotional factors, and motivation to quit both substances. Predictive analysis techniques will be employed to analyze clinical, demographic, psychological, and environmental data to predict the probability of achieving abstinence. Third, homogeneous focus groups will be conducted to explore participants' experiences during their CUD treatment. Discussion. All participants will provide informed consent, and their information will be kept confidential and anonymized in accordance with confidentiality rules. The research team is committed to disseminating the results obtained to professional and patient groups, as well as informing public health agents, in order to positively influence political and social decision-makers and design programmers. Additionally, we aim to prioritize publication of the results in high-impact journals specializing in drug abuse, public health, and health care services research. Trial registration number. The DuCATA project has been registered at Clinicaltrials.gov under the identifier [NCT05512091].