By reasons for use, participants with medical-only use were more likely to be female and ages 30-64, and less likely to have CUD (39%); participants with recreational-only use were less likely to be female and ages (Supplementary Table 2). Generally, no differences in descriptive characteristics were found by state cannabis law status (MCL, RCL or no CL) Supplementary Table 3). Within the sample, prevalence of CUD items ranged from 4% (activities given up, neglect obligations) to 56% (craving) (Table 2) and prevalence of withdrawal symptoms ranged from 5% (restlessness, physical symptoms) to 22% (sleep trouble) (Table 3). Uniform DIF then non-uniform DIF was assessed for all items and each covariate.
Which Substances Have the Worst Withdrawal?
Peer Network Counseling-txt, a 4-week, automated text-delivered cannabis treatment that focuses on close peer relations, was able to decrease usage and relationship problems.60 Also, intensive outpatient programs for substance use disorders can be beneficial. Clinicians should be aware that a patient with a history of substance use disorder is more likely to misuse controlled substances. In summary, an interprofessional approach to managing cannabis use disorder that collaboratively addresses the alcoholism issue, oversees prescribed medical marijuana, and openly shares patient data can help decrease the burden of this disease and ensure the best possible outcomes. We suggest the diagnostic manual take into account, as separate from recreational cannabis use, the use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes, given its increasing prevalence.
How to Celebrate Addiction Recovery
Several findings indicated a high degree of heterogeneity of cannabis dependence. First, 97.6% of the theoretical subtypes were observed using the lifetime estimates, indicating the great diversity in which cannabis dependence can present. Third, our analysis could not identify any socio-demographic or clinical predictors of the diverse presentations of DSM-IV criteria-based subtypes, further stressing the heterogeneity of the individuals meeting criteria for any specific subtype.
Differential Diagnosis in Cannabis Use Disorder
Third, the survey relied on self-report, based on the respondents’ understanding of the questions. We used standard wording for the CUD experiences, which should mitigate this concern. The heterogeneity in the clinical presentation of cannabis dependence, regardless of timeframe considered, differs from the high homogeneity found for alcohol dependence (Grant, 2000).
- Clinicians should be mindful that medical marijuana is not a product of the tightly regulated and scientifically backed pharmaceutical industry.
- Understanding what CUD looks like can help you recognize when casual use turns into dependence, and when it’s time to seek help.
- We further examined the number of subtypes across important socio-demographic subgroups of the population, and the percent of observed subtypes that contained each diagnostic criterion.
Recognizing the Warning Signs of Marijuana Overdose
If you’re dependent on cannabis and try to stop, withdrawal symptoms can appear within 24–72 hours. Though not life threatening, they can be uncomfortable and trigger relapse. Accurate diagnosis helps determine the most effective cannabis addiction treatment plan, which may include therapy, support groups, or residential programs like those offered at New Life House. As people with CUD often have co-occurring mental health conditions, treating them together rather than separately is generally better.
DSM-IV requires that three of the six criteria be met for a diagnosis of cannabis dependence, and that one of the four criteria be met for a diagnosis of cannabis abuse (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Therefore, a wide variety of symptom combinations could qualify for the diagnoses of substance abuse or dependence, but the actual heterogeneity that exists in cannabis use disorders is unknown. The results of such work would reveal how many subtypes actually occur, and what the most common subtypes are. If a few subtypes account for a high percentage of individuals with cannabis use disorders, this would reduce concerns about the heterogeneity of the diagnostic categories.
4. Distribution of abuse and dependence subtypes by age, gender, race/ethnicity and comorbid substance use disorders
Most individuals meeting lifetime diagnostic criteria for abuse or dependence were also male and white. However, the highest prevalence of abuse was found in the 30–44 age group, rather than the younger group. Lifetime dependence had the highest prevalence in the 18–29 age group, closely followed by the 30–44 age group. To examine the sensitivity of our assumptions to alternative conceptualizations, we conducted a series of supplementary analyses using different operationalizations of cannabis use disorders.
- A major advantage of latent variable techniques is their ability to uncover previously undetected associations among variables, which can then guide further epidemiological and biological research.
- Later, she said, they’ll often come back and mention a struggle with cannabis.
- An implicit assumption of DSM-IV is that the same dependence criteria are valid across substances, an assumption that has been recently challenged (Saunders et al., 2007).
- Many people find it difficult to quit without professional help, especially after realizing that cannabis use has moved beyond recreational use and become something you rely on daily, which is why support from an experienced recovery team is so important.
- This subtype accounted for 10.5% of current and 18.7% of lifetime cases.
The individual’s mental status is a critical part of the exam and can point to the phase of cannabis use. Intoxication can include euphoria, anxiety, uncontrollable laughter, increased appetite, inattentiveness, forgetfulness, restlessness, tachycardia, conjunctival injection, and dry mouth. Less common adverse events may include delusions, hallucinations, and derealization. Prolonged continuous use or withdrawal typically causes a depressed mood characterized by apathy, lack of motivation, irritability, loss of interest in typical activities, difficulty concentrating, and isolation. Cognition can be assessed by testing 3-word recall, asking multi-step math problems, or recalling details from a brief fictional story, as demonstrated on the St. Louis University Mental Status Exam. THC, the principal psychoactive and addictive component, is most commonly smoked.
Steps Patients Go Through During a Typical Medical Detox Process and Beyond That Help Long-term Recovery
The DSM-5 criteria provide a framework to identify those who might be struggling with cannabis use in a manner that adversely impacts their lives. Understanding these criteria is crucial for healthcare professionals, individuals, and families to acknowledge and address the disorder effectively. MIMIC models as in Figure 1, with the latent cannabis use disorder trait adjusted for age, sex, and race/ethnicity, and specific items adjusted for significant associations with age and sex.
It typically involves an overpowering desire to use cannabis, increased tolerance to the cannabis and/or withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it. Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is a complex condition that involves a problematic pattern of cannabis (marijuana) use. It’s important to seek help as soon as possible if you think you or your child is developing CUD. However, it could be speculated these factors are correlational rather than causal. The DSM-5 also notes that the local ease of access to cannabis is a risk factor, (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) for individuals who are inclined to use cannabis.
