- 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?
How do you explain to a teenager with ADHD that they may be more prone to substance abuse than other people without ADHD?
People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience difficulties with attention and concentration, are easily distracted, tend to procrastinate and abandon tasks, have trouble following instructions, experience emotional instability, have low self-esteem, suffer from anxiety and depression, and make decisions without considering the immediate consequences. They are also more prone to drug use.
An international study conducted by the Psychiatry, Mental Health, and Addictions team at Vall d'Hebron Hospital identified that people with ADHD were almost eight times more likely to use cannabis during their lifetime . This is a common comorbidity, and this association will exacerbate both disorders.
Individuals with ADHD may experience early drug use. Early diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of ADHD can reduce the risk of drug use; however, it is essential that parents establish prevention guidelines and recommendations as previously described. At the same time, it is important to make them aware of their increased vulnerability and cognitive impairment due to substance use and abuse. It is also important to keep in mind that the propensity of individuals with ADHD to use cannabis could be for self-medication to avoid feeling overwhelmed or as a way to alleviate distress caused by difficulties at school, with peers, or within the family.