Initiation of abstinence in adolescents treated for marijuana use disorders

This study assessed the time to initiation of marijuana abstinence in an adolescent treatment-seeking sample, and identified variables that were predictive of abstinence. Adolescents (N=69), ages 14 to 18 were randomly assigned to one of two 14-week behavioral treatments. Abstinence was measured with twice-weekly urine toxicology plus teen and parent reports. Discrete-time survival and hazard functions were conducted. The majority of adolescents achieved at least 1 week of abstinence, and 51% achieved 6 weeks of abstinence. Initiation of abstinence occurred by the sixth treatment week for 94% of teens with any abstinence suggesting that alternative, clinical approaches should be considered for those not responding by week 6. Teens with a drug negative urinalysis at intake, and teens that had two parents participating in treatment were more likely to achieve at least 6 weeks of abstinence. These findings, if replicated, can be used to inform clinical and research strategies that might lead to enhanced treatment efficacy and cost effectiveness for substance abuse treatment programming.