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Cannabis use and dependence among Australian adults: results from the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Author(s) -
Swift Wendy,
Hall Wayne,
Teesson Maree
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2001.9657379.x
Subject(s) - cannabis , cannabis dependence , psychiatry , cidi , mental health , substance abuse , medicine , logistic regression , multinomial logistic regression , young adult , psychology , cross sectional study , clinical psychology , demography , gerontology , national comorbidity survey , cannabidiol , pathology , machine learning , sociology , computer science
Aims. To examine: (i) the prevalence of cannabis use and DSM‐IV cannabis dependence among Australian adults, and (ii) correlates of level of cannabis involvement. Design. Cross‐sectional survey assessing substance use and DSM‐IV substance use disorders (abuse and dependence). Setting and participants. A household survey of a nationally representative sample of 10 641 Australians aged 18 years and older. Measurements. Trained interviewers administered a structured, modified version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Findings. In the past 12 months, 2.2% (95%CI:1.8, 2.6) of adults were diagnosed with DSM‐IV cannabis use disorder, comprising cannabis dependence (1.5%; 95%CI: 1.2, 1.8) and cannabis abuse (0.7%, 95%CI: 0.6, 0.8). Almost one‐third of cannabis users (31.7%; 95%CI: 27.7, 35.7) met criteria for cannabis dependence (21%; 95%CI: 16.7, 25.3) and abuse (10.7%; 95%CI: 8.0, 13.4). Multinomial logistic regression revealed that compared to non‐dependent cannabis users, non‐users were more likely to be female, aged 25 + years, out of the labour force and married/ de facto , and displayed lower levels of co‐morbidity. In contrast, dependent cannabis users were more likely to be 18‐24 years old, unemployed, and displayed higher levels of co‐morbidity than non‐dependent users. Conclusions. Cannabis use disorders affect approximately 300 000 Australian adults. A better understanding of the factors associated with cannabis dependence may help identify groups who have difficulties controlling use and aid the development of strategies for reducing cannabis‐related harm.