A narrative review proposes that adolescent cannabis use disorder emerges from dynamic interactions between the drug itself, individual factors (mindset), and environmental factors (setting), with school performance acting as both cause and consequence.
Youth counselors, addiction prevention specialists, parents, school administrators.
School performance is both a cause and consequence of adolescent cannabis use
What the researchers found
The review adapts Zinberg's drug-set-setting framework to propose CUD in adolescents develops through multiple interacting feedback loops. Cannabis use impairs school performance and motivation, which increases risk of further use. The model identifies specific intervention points for parents, social workers, and addiction professionals.
Why it matters
Most CUD prevention approaches target individual factors or drug availability separately. This model argues all three dimensions must be addressed simultaneously because they create feedback loops.
The numbers in context
Cannabis is one of the most popular drugs among adolescents. Regular use predicts mental health problems, reduced motivation, and school dropout.
How the study worked
Hypothesis-based and model-generating narrative review searching PubMed and Web of Science.
What this study cannot tell us
Theoretical model not empirically tested. Does not quantify the relative contribution of each dimension.
How to read the evidence
Theoretical model from narrative review, lacking empirical validation.
When this study was published
Published 2023.
The bigger picture
This framework shifts CUD prevention from single-factor to systems-level perspective, addressing individual risk factors, environmental context, and drug-specific factors simultaneously.
Questions still open
- Can interventions targeting all three dimensions outperform single-factor approaches?
- Which feedback loops are strongest?
Common questions
Why do some adolescents develop cannabis use disorder?
How can adolescent CUD be prevented?
Read the original research
Towards a New Dynamic Interaction Model of Adolescent CUD Manifestation, Prevention, and Treatment: A Narrative Review.
Psychoactives, 2(4), 294-316
Citation
Oosten, Wesley; Vos, Elena; Los, Leontien; Nelwan, Michel; Pieters, Toine. (2023). Towards a New Dynamic Interaction Model of Adolescent CUD Manifestation, Prevention, and Treatment: A Narrative Review.. Psychoactives, 2(4), 294-316. https://doi.org/10.3390/psychoactives2040019
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