Can a smoking cessation drug reduce problematic cannabis use?

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) affects millions of people worldwide, yet no medications are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat it. Because of this gap, researchers have been studying whether medications used for other addictions might help reduce cannabis use. One such medication is varenicline, a drug originally developed to help people quit smoking and sold under the brand name Chantix. A recent randomized clinical trial published in the journal Addiction examined whether varenicline could reduce cannabis use among people seeking treatment for CUD.

In a large national survey of U.S. adults (NESARC-III), the 12-month prevalence of DSM-V cannabis use disorder was about 2.5% of all adults. The lifetime prevalence in that same study was about 6.3%, meaning roughly 1 in 16 that population will meet criteria for CUD at some point in their lives. Among people who use cannabis, roughly 1 in 5 (about 20%) will meet most of the criteria for CUD. Risk of developing CUD increases with frequent cannabis use and use of high-THC preparations. Age also plays a role. Young adults have the highest rates of CUD, particularly those aged 18–25 years, while prevalence declines in older adults.

Keep reading on my Substack!