Addressing Cannabis Use Disorder in Adolescents: Strategies for Treatment Completion

Cannabis use disorder in adolescents presents a mounting clinical challenge: treatment plans are frequently left unfinished, hampering recovery and escalating long-term risk.

Despite stabilization in overall cannabis consumption among youth, adolescents diagnosed with cannabis use disorder often disengage before completing their treatment protocols. A recent analysis on how low treatment completion rates hinder recovery underscores that less than half of adolescents navigate through to the end of recommended programs, exacerbating relapse risk and co-occurring mental health issues.

This tension is compounded by a constellation of factors: co-occurring anxiety or depression amplifies dropout, while access challenges—ranging from limited local programs to socioeconomic barriers—sabotage continuity. Shifts in cannabis legislation that expand youth access can inadvertently normalize use, and pandemic-driven shifts in adolescent substance use behaviors have deepened isolation, further undermining engagement.

Nevertheless, innovations in adolescent cannabis use disorder treatment are beginning to address these hurdles. Family-centered approaches, when integrated with school and community points of contact, establish supportive networks that encourage sustained participation. Digital health tools that send tailored reminders and facilitate peer connections have improved completion, and incorporating behavioral therapy for cannabis use early in referral pathways boosts initial engagement.

As noted in the earlier report, strengthening treatment completion yields tangible gains in addiction recovery outcomes. Clinicians can reinforce momentum by systematically tracking progress, coordinating with mental health services to address comorbidities, and adapting care pathways in line with evolving social and legislative landscapes.

Key Takeaways:

• Low treatment completion rates are a significant barrier in adolescent cannabis use disorder recovery.
• Increasing engagement and completion rates is crucial for improving addiction recovery outcomes.
• Factors such as legislative shifts and pandemic-driven behaviors influence adolescent substance use patterns.
• Ongoing adaptations in clinical strategies are needed to overcome these barriers and enhance recovery rates.