The Use of Motivational Interviewing in Conjunction With Adapted Dialectical Behavior Therapy to Treat Synthetic Cannabis Use Disorder

Abstract

Little empirical information is established about synthetic marijuana, including the treatment of related disorders. Similar to organic marijuana, chronic synthetic use can lead to a variety of functional impairments, including diminished academic and workplace productivity and performance. Many traditional approaches emphasize treating co-occurring disorders separately, but the present case examines concurrent treatment for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., DSM-IV) Synthetic Marijuana Dependence and Generalized Anxiety Disorder by using Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Relapse Prevention (RP) in conjunction with an adapted form of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). A model for treatment and its potential effects are discussed.