HOW CAN WE USE THIS #2

Jessica Cavalli, et al. (2023) linked poor executive functioning (EF) and parental cannabis use as predictive factors to the heavier use of cannabis and the use of alcohol in later adolescence (https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fadb0000891). While this supports EF as a prevention target in early adolescence my thoughts turned to the idea that it may also serve as a treatment and support for recovery target for adolescents and young adults that develop a substance use disorder (SUD).  I did a further literature search and found correlational work linking EF with other factors including parenting, intergenerational transmission, environmental conditions, Traumatic brain injury (TBI), anxiety and depression, academic performance, and several studies linking EF, to include impulsivity, to SUD, both in early adolescence concurrently and Leading to SUD problems in later adolescence and early adulthood (e.g., Kim-Spoon, et al., 2017, and Jones, et al., 2021 respectively).  These EF- SUD linkages suggest that targeting EF as a component of adolescent SUD treatment may serve as a fruitful pursuit and there were no studies identified that directly took this approach.  There were however approaches to improving EF in adolescents and young adults that may be promising if applied to SUD treatment.  These include ThinkSMART® (Ellis, et al., 2023); Learning to Breathe (L2B, Frank et al., 2021); and, aspects of Cognitive Behavioral and dialectical behavior therapies (e.g., emotional control, shifting, monitoring, and global executive functioning; Smith et al., 2019). Chaku, et al., also identified differences in EF with heterogeneous groups that call for approaches to skill building targeting specific deficits.  His ideas fit well into SUD treatments that are, in some respects individualized.      

There were also instruments identified that would serve as initial assessment, progress tracking, and outcome measures.  These include the BRIEF-SR (https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2013-32429-001), and the TEXI (https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-13810-001).