Abstract
The aim of the current study was to delineate the psychiatric profile of cannabis dependent young people (14–29 years old)
with mental health problems (N = 36) seeking treatment via a research study. To do so, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders
and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Childhood Diagnoses were used to obtain DSM-IV diagnoses, while a modified
Timeline Followback interview and self-reports were used to measure cannabis use, cannabis-related problems, and impairment.
Most individuals had at least two Axis I disorders in addition to cannabis dependence. Anxiety disorders were common, with
posttraumatic stress disorder, social phobia, and generalised anxiety disorder accounting for the majority of these diagnoses.
On average, young people reported a moderate degree of dependence and functional impairment, and a substantial number of cannabis-related
problems. Although both males and females reported using similar quantities of cannabis per month, females reported using
cannabis more frequently than males. The current data suggest that young people who present for cannabis use treatment in
the context of a mental health issue may have a variety of psychiatric problems that need addressed and that males and females
may have slightly different profiles. If cannabis use treatments are to advance for this population, more attention needs
to be paid to the complex issues that young people present to treatment with.
with mental health problems (N = 36) seeking treatment via a research study. To do so, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders
and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Childhood Diagnoses were used to obtain DSM-IV diagnoses, while a modified
Timeline Followback interview and self-reports were used to measure cannabis use, cannabis-related problems, and impairment.
Most individuals had at least two Axis I disorders in addition to cannabis dependence. Anxiety disorders were common, with
posttraumatic stress disorder, social phobia, and generalised anxiety disorder accounting for the majority of these diagnoses.
On average, young people reported a moderate degree of dependence and functional impairment, and a substantial number of cannabis-related
problems. Although both males and females reported using similar quantities of cannabis per month, females reported using
cannabis more frequently than males. The current data suggest that young people who present for cannabis use treatment in
the context of a mental health issue may have a variety of psychiatric problems that need addressed and that males and females
may have slightly different profiles. If cannabis use treatments are to advance for this population, more attention needs
to be paid to the complex issues that young people present to treatment with.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s11469-012-9378-1
- Authors
- Melissa M. Norberg, National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre, University of New South Wales, PO Box 684, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
- Robert A. Battisti, National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre, University of New South Wales, PO Box 684, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
- Jan Copeland, National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre, University of New South Wales, PO Box 684, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
- Daniel F. Hermens, Clinical Research Unit, Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- Ian B. Hickie, Clinical Research Unit, Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- Journal International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
- Online ISSN 1557-1882
- Print ISSN 1557-1874