Around two-thirds of adolescents with cannabis use disorder (CUD) fail to complete rehabilitation in the US. The corresponding study was published in Pediatric Reports. The findings may be used to aid the development of culturally responsive treatment interventions.
“Research like this is essential because it gives us a clearer picture of who is falling through the cracks, and why,” said Lewis S. Nelson, M.D., dean and chief of health affairs of the Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, not involved in the study, in a press release.
“Adolescents are not just small adults; their brains, behaviors and environments demand approaches grounded in evidence and tailored to their unique needs. If we want to curb the long-term consequences of cannabis use, we must invest in data-driven strategies that improve access, retention and outcomes – especially for the most vulnerable youth," he added.
For the study, researchers examined CUD treatment outcomes for 40, 054 adolescents diagnosed with the condition. Participants were between 12 and 17 years old, and all were in the US. After analyzing the data, the researchers found that just 36.8% completed treatment.
The most common reasons for not completing treatment included dropping out (28.4%), transferring to another facility or program (17%), and being terminated by the facility (9.7%). Independent living arrangements, homelessness, and arrests in the last 30 days, as well as being under 15 years old, further decreased the likelihood of finishing treatment. Those with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders also had lower completion rates.
While males and Black non-Hispanic individuals were less likely to complete treatment, Hispanic, Asian, and Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander adolescents were more likely to complete treatment than their White counterparts. Referrals from school, employers, and treatment settings were additionally linked to higher completion rates, especially for stays between 4-6 and 7-12 months.
“This study highlights the need for targeted CUD treatment programs that support at-risk adolescents, especially those experiencing homelessness or facing legal issues. High dropout and transition rates suggest a need for continuity of care and program integration between facilities,” wrote the researchers in their study.
“Strengthening coordination among public health officials, community organizations, and stakeholders is essential to developing culturally responsive treatment interventions that address social determinants of health, substance use, and mental health in this vulnerable population,“ they concluded.
Sources: EurekAlert, Pediatric Reports
