Anti-Craving Properties of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) in Adolescent Cannabis Dependent Inpatients with co-Occurring Psychiatric Disorders: a Case Series
Abstract
Rouhollah Qurishi, M.P.J Stams, A.F.A (Arnt ) Schellekens and Cornelis A.J. De Jong
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug, particularly among adolescents. Currently, there are no formally approved pharmacotherapeutic options for the treatment of cannabis dependence and behavioral interventions have been found to be only moderately effective. One strategy to enhance outcomes is the addition of pharmacotherapy to complement behavioral treatment. Various studies suggest that N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) may assist in treating cannabis misuse. However, these studies excluded patients with co-occurring psychiatric disorders. In this article we present a case series of four adolescent patients with co-occurring psychiatric disorders in which NAC reduced craving for cannabis.