Development of a Novel Cannabis Brief Intervention for Frequently-Using Emerging Adults - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The overall aim of the proposed K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award is to provide Dr. Gex with the training and research activities needed to become an independent investigator. Her program of research will focus on developing and delivering novel brief interventions for problematic substance use and increasing accessibility and uptake of efficacious interventions. Cannabis is the most widely used federally illicit substance among emerging adults (age 18-25) in the U.S., and frequent cannabis use is associated with myriad long-term consequences. Despite this, rates of perceived risk of daily/regular cannabis use have steadily declined over the past two decades. Several cannabis brief interventions have been developed and tested to date; however, meta-analyses indicate that the evidence for efficacy is mixed and that the quality of studies is low, suggesting that novel and more rigorous approaches are necessary. The proposed project will employ the NIH Stage Model for Behavioral Intervention Development to develop and test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a novel brief intervention. In addition, cannabis-specific candidate mechanisms of behavior change will be explored, including motives for use, protective behavioral strategies, consideration of future consequences, and proportional substance-free/-related reinforcement. This innovative proposal includes training activities to ensure that Dr. Gex achieves the following new career goals: (1) Develop expertise in the assessment and prevention of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder; (2) Receive training in the development and evaluation of behavioral interventions by (2a) Enhancing qualitative and mixed methods research skills and (2b) Receiving advanced training in the design and implementation of clinical intervention trials; (3) Develop expertise in the science of mechanisms of behavior change; and (4) Enhance skills in scientific and grant writing and professional development. Under the mentorship of a multidisciplinary team of outstanding investigators (Drs. Kevin Gray, Rachel Tomko, and Shannon Phillips at the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Christine Lee at the University of Washington, and Dr. Ben Ladd at Washington State University), the candidate will develop and evaluate a novel in-person brief intervention addressing frequent cannabis use in emerging adults. The combination of outstanding mentorship, hands-on experiences, and didactics and formal coursework afforded by the proposed K23 award will significantly enhance the candidate’s career development in patient-oriented research focused on the prevention and early intervention of substance use disorders in emerging adults and will provide a valuable training experience and critical preliminary data to support future R- series applications. This K23 application is directly responsive to NIDA’s Strategic Plan to develop new and improved strategies to reduce cannabis use and prevent long-term consequences, specifically to develop and test innovative prevention interventions that target relevant mechanisms underlying salient risk factors.
