RECAB

In December 2022, PARC initiated the Rewards for Cannabis Abstinence (RECAB) study. This is the first clinical trial in the Netherlands aimed at investigating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of abstinence-focused contingency management (CM) for young people with cannabis use disorder.

During a CM treatment, patients are structurally and intensively rewarded (often with monetary incentives or vouchers) for abstaining from substance use – as verified by urinalysis. There is robust evidence that CM is effective in treating substance use disorder in adults. For youth with cannabis use disorder, CM also appears promising; however, further research is needed to assess the costs and benefits of CM as a standalone treatment.

In this multicenter randomized controlled trial including 154 youth (aged 16-22) with cannabis use disorder, we evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of CM as a stand-alone treatment compared to usual care cognitive behavioral therapy for cannabis use disorder.

collaborations

This project is conducted in collaboration with the following partners:

• The participating (youth) addiction care institutions Brijder Jeugd Noord- and Zuid-Holland, Antes Youz Verslavingszorg, and Novadic-Kentron;
• Leiden University, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, and the Trimbos Institute;

Stichting het Zwarte Gat, the national network for (former) clients and family councils in addiction care;

FUNDING

This research project is funded by ZonMw (programma Doelmatigheid) and co-financed by Verslavingskunde Nederland and Stichting tot Steun VCVGZ.