Grant: Project Grant

In Canada, young adults are the most frequent cannabis users, often choosing highly potent products, which increases the risk of cannabis-related harms like dependence and psychosis. Consumers who live with an existing mental health problem, such as psychosis, are at higher risk of negative cannabis effects. Young adults experiencing their first episode of psychosis (FEP) receive treatment through early intervention services for psychosis (EIS), where frequent cannabis use is common and linked to poor outcomes. While reducing cannabis use is a key goal, many individuals with FEP are not motivated to quit entirely. Instead, they focus on improving their quality of life and learning how to avoid harms. To address these needs, our team developed CHAMPS, a cannabis harm-reducing app. It uses proven psychological modalities to help young people with FEP who do not seek to decrease their use to increase motivation and learn skills to reduce cannabis-related harms. In our initial study, CHAMPS showed good engagement and retention. The current study aims to rigorously test how effective CHAMPS is in improving outcomes for these individuals. The main goal is to assess how CHAMPS impacts cannabis related problems. We will also evaluate its effects on motivation to change cannabis practices, cannabis use and protective behaviours, satisfaction, quality of life, and healthcare use. We will conduct a study with 250 young adults aged 18-35 years with FEP who use cannabis. Participants will be assigned to receive either CHAMPS and regular EIS, or EIS alone. CHAMPS includes 6 modules over 6 weeks, plus a booster session after 2 weeks. We will assess participants at 3 time-points using validated questionnaires and medical records. We will analyze the data using robust statistical approaches to determine the impact of the intervention. This study could lead to more effective ways to help young people with psychosis manage their cannabis use and reduce related harms.