Substance Misuse To Psychiatric Disorders for Cannabis

Substance Misuse To Psychiatric Disorders for Cannabis (SToP-C)--an Early Assertive Pharmacotherapy Intervention Pilot Study

With the recent availability of vortioxetine, and the surging phenomenon of cannabis misuses amongst young abusers, it is a timely opportunity to conduct an early pharmacotherapy intervention study to offer an evidence-based strategy aiming to stop individuals with cannabis use disorders with depressive or anxiety symptoms, to develop into a more chronic disabling dependence or co-morbid state.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Cannabis use disorder with anxiety or depressive symptoms or disorders; or positive cannabis test results in 1 month with anxiety or depressive symptoms

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age <16 years old
• Unable to read English or Chinese
• Unable to give informed consent
• Had been diagnosed to have Intellectual Disabilities (DSM-5) or Mental Retardation
• Had history of primary psychotic episode
• Had been diagnosed to have substance-induced mood disorder, other than cannabis
• Had been diagnosed to have mood disorders or anxiety disorders
• Had been taking maintenance therapeutic dose of antidepressant continuously >= 6 months AND with depressive symptom or anxiety symptom being in remission
• Had known hypersensitivity to vortioxetine
• Had known history of serotonin syndrome
• Pregnant
• Mother currently breast-feeding
• Currently taking warfarin and/or having poorly controlled bleeding disorder
• Had history of prolonged QTc ≥500ms and/or known unstable or untreated cardiology disease