Comorbidity between depressive disorders and cannabis misuse in adolescents: the contribution of the nurse in the assessment and referral to specialized treatment

Abstract

We present a clinical case of a distressed mother who sought help from her general practitioner's nurse. The mother described a sudden change in her son's behavior: social isolation, apathy, and a severely restricted diet (eating only once a day after a brief outing in front of the building). An additional alarming sign was the change in the size of his pupils after these short excursions. In response, the nurse provided immediate and concrete advice: to perform a rapid urine drug test. The result was positive for marijuana. Following the confirmation of substance use, the nurse demonstrated a quick response and professionalism by immediately referring the mother and the adolescent to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist diagnosed depression resulting from daily marijuana use. After initiating antidepressant therapy, the adolescent showed a very good response and recovered within a few months. This clinical case categorically demonstrates that the nurse is a key link in the chain of care, especially in the early detection of psychiatric and substance-related issues in adolescents. Thanks to open communication (patients and their relatives often confide more in nurses than in the attending physician) and timely assessment, the nurse ensured a quick and adequate diagnosis and the initiation of life-saving treatment. This underscores the need to raise awareness among nursing staff regarding the problems associated with substance use in adolescence.