COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY PROGRAM TO FIRST-EPISODE PSYCHOSIS PATIENTS AND CANNABIS ABUSE

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY PROGRAM TO FIRST-EPISODE PSYCHOSIS PATIENTS AND CANNABIS ABUSE

General objective:

To assess the effectiveness of a treatment program specific for cannabis abuse (cognitive behavioral treatment + pharmacological treatment) compared to standard treatment (pharmacological treatment + psychoeducation) in patients with first episodes psychosis (FEP) cannabis users.

Design A multicenter single-blind randomized study with 1 year of follow-up. The effectiveness of a treatment program specific for cannabis abuse (cognitive behavioral treatment + pharmacological treatment) compared to standard treatment (pharmacological treatment + psychoeducation) in patients with first episodes psychosis (FEP) cannabis users will be assessed.

Patients will be randomly assigned to one of two treatments:

1. Experimental group (N=50): Cognitive-behavioral treatment specific for cannabis abuse + pharmacological treatment
2. Control group (N=50): standard treatment: psychoeducation + pharmacological treatment

Inclusion Criteria:

1. - Having a first psychotic episode. DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of a psychotic disorder (i.e. schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, bipolar disorder, atypical psychosis, brief psychotic disorder, or major depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms).
2. - Being a regular cannabis user according DSM-IV
3. -Being in remission from the first psychotic episode (not exceeding 5 years).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Presenting organic brain pathology.
2. Presenting mental retardation according to DSM-IV criteria.