title: New Developments in Understanding and Treating Adolescent Marijuana Dependence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit substance in the United States and worldwide. Marijuana use is a problem of increasing magnitude among adolescents. Use typically begins in adolescence and is associated with a variety of adverse outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article will present an overview of trends in marijuana use, and will review the endocannabinoid system and marijuana. It will discuss recent policy developments in US and their implications, especially for adolescents. Existing treatments will be reviewed, including findings from a recent randomized double-blind trial ofN-acetylcysteine, a compound that reverses the dysregulation of the glutamate system that occurs in substance dependence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The core treatment approaches include psychosocial interventions, sometimes in combination with each other. While a reduction in days of use is often achieved with most of these approaches, abstinence is a much more elusive goal. The evidence base for effective treatments remains inadequate especially with regard to adolescents, and there is an urgent need for more research in this area. Promising new treatments includeN-acetylcysteine in conjunction with contingency management.
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Gray
keywords: Adolescents; N-acetylcysteine; cannabis dependence; marijuana dependence; marijuana use disorders; treatment