Tratamiento de los trastornos psiquiátricos asociados al consumo de cannabis

Abstract

Cannabis is one of the drugs with greater psychiatric adverse effects, particularly linked to the increased risk of psychosis. In addition, it is one of the most used drugs among patients with psychiatric disorders, having collateral adverse effects on the course of these disorders. Therefore, we should implement coordinated interventions for cannabis dependence and the frequently associated comorbid disorders. Behavioral interventions are effective to deal with cannabis dependence, being cognitive-behavioral techniques and motivational interventions the ones with greater empirical support, although poor retention and relapse are common drawbacks. As for pharmacological interventions there is a considerable scarcity of findings stemming from clinical trials. Nonetheless, there are two main lines of research, one in drugs that are effective for other addictions and psychiatric disorders, and another one on drugs specifically targeting the cannabinoid system. Nowadays, the most promising findings have emerged from this second approach, including cannabinoid antagonists, cannabidiol, nabilon and especially dronabinol. With regard to treatment of comorbid psychiatric disorders, there is also scarcity of data from clinical trials, but observational studies and clinical cases support the use of SSRIs for depression and anxiety-related syndromes, atypical antipsychotics for mania, and anticonvulsants for bipolar disorders. Animal data also indicates that cannabinoid drugs may be promising for the treatment of comorbid depression and anxiety among cannabis dependent individuals. It is also important to stress the need to simultaneously address cannabis dependence and psychosis, with the aim of achieving abstinence, especially after a first episode or after diagnosis of cannabis-induced psychosis. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interventions have shown efficacy to address this dual disorder. Clinical trials underscore that cannabis abstinence is one of the main factors for psychosis outcomes, and that the majority of clinicians choose to employ atypical antipsychotics to address these syndromes, although they have poor impact on cannabis use.