New approaches to treating cannabis dependence: from neuroscience to practice

Abstract

The goals of this chapter are to (1) provide a short overview of the literature investigating the mechanisms underlying Cannabis Use Disorders (CUDs), and, (2) discuss how these results may guide the development of CUD tailored treatment. Research on CUD has been guided by the changing awareness of the addictive properties of cannabis. We, therefore, start with a brief history on cannabis dependence. From the perspective of addiction as a brain disease, both motivational and control processes in the brain play a role in the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors. This chapter provides a short theoretical background on this, including a summary of neurocognitive mechanisms related to CUD. Finally, this chapter provides an overview of how these neurocognitive insights may guide treatment of CUD.