Marijuana use and treatment outcome in cocaine-dependent patients

Marijuana use was assessed in 186 people seeking treatment for cocaine dependence. Comparisons were made between clients who did and did not report using marijuana and between marijuana users who did and did not meet diagnostic criteria for marijuana dependence. The relationship between marijuana use and treatment outcome was also explored. A high rate of current marijuana use (59%) was observed at intake, and the majority of the marijuana users (74%) used marijuana at some point during treatment. Marijuana use at intake was associated with increased psychosocial impairment and substance-use severity. However, no significant adverse relations were observed between marijuana use at intake or during treatment and treatment outcome. Such functional independence may have important implications for addressing marijuana use during treatment for cocaine dependence. These findings should be interpreted with caution pending replication in prospective studies and with other treatment approaches.