- What are the negative effects of cannabis use in adolescence?
- Is there a level of cannabis consumption that is considered safe?
- At what point is cannabis use considered to be risky?
- Why has cannabis use become so widespread among young people?
- Does consuming alcohol lead to consuming more cannabis?
- Are there protective and preventative factors against cannabis use that depend on the family?
- If we suspect our son or daughter is smoking marijuana, how can we address the issue at home and what advice can we give them?
- What signs might indicate that our son or daughter has a problem with cannabis?
- Where can I get urine tests to find out if there has been cannabis use?
- Cannabis can be found in different products; are these safer than smoking?
- What can we do to prevent cannabis use in schools?
- What are the risks of cannabis use for mental health, both for occasional and continuous use?
- What is the relationship between smoking marijuana and the onset of psychosis?
- Are there any brief interventions we can do with 15-year-old adolescents transitioning from pediatrics to primary care medicine, to detect substance use and provide an initial approach?
- What materials and techniques can I use to address this topic as a primary care professional?
- How do you explain to a teenager with ADHD that they may be more prone to substance abuse than other people without ADHD?
- Is an ADHD diagnosis associated with early onset of substance use?
Are there any brief interventions we can do with 15-year-old adolescents transitioning from pediatrics to primary care medicine, to detect substance use and provide an initial approach?
Primary care pediatric teams are in a privileged position for the early detection of cannabis use due to their contact with children in the development and growth phase, and their families.
All interventions should be done in a comprehensive and non-specific manner, taking into account community and specialized resources.
Primary care professionals need basic knowledge and training to screen adolescents for potential substance use. Pediatricians are essential in the prevention and early detection of potential drug use, and in referring patients to specialized centers when necessary.
These professionals should get used to including questions about drug use from the beginning of adolescence, in order to identify potential use as early as possible. There is evidence of the efficacy and effectiveness of early identification and brief intervention programs in cases of drug use.
To detect and initially address cannabis use in 15-year-old adolescents, brief interventions such as validated screening questionnaires like the CAST ( Cannabis Abuse Screening Test ) can be implemented. This is a simple, six-question scale designed to identify patterns or risk behaviors associated with cannabis use in the past year. Easy to administer, it assesses the frequency, dependence, and consequences of cannabis use. Its use in primary care would allow for the identification of young people who may be at risk of developing cannabis use disorder. Furthermore, it can help guide diagnosis and direct individuals to appropriate programs.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends annual screening, coinciding with regular physical examinations, although it is important for the family to exercise their role in supervising and monitoring the behavior of their children.
These actions should be carried out in an environment of trust and support , without adopting a punitive approach.
The following article is recommended: Benítez Rubio MR, Medranda de Lázaro MI, Montón Álvarez JL. Primary Care Pediatrician Intervention in the Prevention of Substance Abuse. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria. 2006; 8 Suppl 3: S91-111.