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New Approaches to Treating Cannabis Dependence: From Neuroscience to Practice

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Neuroimaging and Psychosocial Addiction Treatment

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Abstract

The existence of cannabis dependence has been questioned for a long time (Murray et al., 2007). This debate has partly stemmed from an outdated view on substance use disorders (SUDs; Leshner, 1997), which measured the relative harm of substances of abuse through the severity of physical dependence (tolerance and withdrawal). In 1964, the World Health Organization recognized psychological dependence as the driving force behind SUDs, rather than physical dependence (Eddy et al., 1965). However, the minimal withdrawal symptoms associated with chronic cannabis use still supported the consensus that cannabis was not addictive (Murray et al., 2007).

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Authors
  1. Janna Cousijn
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  2. Francesca Filbey
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Oregon Health & Science University, USA

    Sarah W. Feldstein Ewing (Associate Professor) (Associate Professor)

  2. University of New Mexico, USA

    Katie Witkiewitz (Associate Professor) (Associate Professor)

  3. Center for Brain Health, University of Texas-Dallas, USA

    Francesca M. Filbey (Associate Professor) (Associate Professor)

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© 2015 Janna Cousijn and Francesca Filbey

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Cousijn, J., Filbey, F. (2015). New Approaches to Treating Cannabis Dependence: From Neuroscience to Practice. In: Ewing, S.W.F., Witkiewitz, K., Filbey, F.M. (eds) Neuroimaging and Psychosocial Addiction Treatment. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137362650_7

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