T-Break (tolerance break from cannabis)

registration deadline 3/19/2026

Trainer: Tom Fontana

Alcohol, Cannabis, and Other Drugs Initiatives Manager
University of Vermont

Tom Fontana, LCMHC, LADC, (he/him) coordinates drug and alcohol education at the University of Vermont. Tom is author of the ‘T-Break Guide’ a free resource to help people take a tolerance break from cannabis.  He is Principal Investigator of a research study seeking to gauge the effectiveness of cannabis harm reduction resources.

Description:

Frequent cannabis use leads to increased tolerance.  The community of weed smokers has addressed this by encouraging periodic breaks from cannabis to help bring down tolerance.  Called a ‘t-break’, it is an organic harm reduction technique.  Unfortunately, without guidance, people often find a t-break harder than they thought.  The T-Break Guide was written from the wisdom of people who have lived it. There are not many resources for cannabis; come learn about this free one, and take a deeper dive into cannabis culture and how we can better have these discussions with our clients.

Agenda:

1:00  Hello & Welcome

1:15  Current Cannabis context: how cannabis looks in the world (strains, types, paraphernalia)

1:45  Some plant science: THC, cannabinoids, etc.

2:00  Cannabis & mental health, with a focus on anxiety

2:30  (break)

2:45  DSM criteria, withdrawal

3:00  Tolerance Breaks: what are they and why.  Exploration of the T-Break Guide

3:45  Common themes clients bring up around cannabis use

4:15  Questions

4:30  Closing

Learning Objectives:

Learning Objective	Related Content
Identify current cultural context of cannabis, some plant science, and explore DSM criteria	History to current state, medicinal and recreational, DSM Use Disorder and Withdrawal; dive into THC and other cannabinoids
Explain T-Break Guide’s contents and connect with DSM criteria.  Consider cannabis & mental health, particularly anxiety	Cultural lens, Days, ‘chapters’, and theme, feedback, DSM withdrawal and use disorder connection
Discuss when to use as a resource, and techniques for engaging clients around their cannabis use	Stage of change, self help, possibility in group use, intro of cannabis themes in conversations