Guanfacine Extended-release for Adolescents With Cannabis Use

Inclusion criteria

• 12-25 years of age (inclusive) at consent;
• Seeking treatment for cannabis use;
• DSM-5 Cannabis Use Disorder, mild, moderate or severe;
• Self-reported cannabis use on average at least 5 days/week during the 28 days prior to screening with a THC positive urine drug screen on the day of screening; and
• Able to provide informed consent (both adequate IQ and English fluency; <18-year-olds will provide consent themselves in addition to parent/guardian consent).

Exclusion criteria

• DSM-5 substance use disorder (moderate or severe) except cannabis or nicotine;
• Any unstable medical, psychiatric or neurological condition or medical contraindicating study participation;
• Diagnosis of a psychotic or bipolar illness;
• Acute suicidality as assessed by clinician;
• Prescribed antipsychotics, benzodiazepines or other sedative medications, or other medications for the treatment of ADHD. If prescribed antidepressants, the participant must have been on a stable dose for more than 2 weeks at screening;
• A history of heart disease or cardiac risk factors (e.g. arrhythmias);
• Abnormal liver or thyroid function as indicated by clinically-significant findings on blood tests;
• Pregnancy, breast feeding or, if sexually active and able to become pregnant, no effective contraception.
• Intention to enter residential rehabilitation after treatment in the YSAS residential withdrawal facility.