1
|
Ahlers J, Baumgartner C, Augsburger M, Wenger A, Malischnig D, Boumparis N, Berger T, Stark L, Ebert DD, Haug S, Schaub MP. Cannabis Use in Adults Who Screen Positive for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: CANreduce 2.0 Randomized Controlled Trial Subgroup Analysis. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e30138. [PMID: 35442196 PMCID: PMC9069287 DOI: 10.2196/30138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prevalence rates for lifetime cannabis use and cannabis use disorder are much higher in people with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder than in those without. CANreduce 2.0 is an intervention that is generally effective at reducing cannabis use in cannabis misusers. This self-guided web-based intervention (6-week duration) consists of modules grounded in motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy. Objective We aimed to evaluate whether the CANreduce 2.0 intervention affects cannabis use patterns and symptom severity in adults who screen positive for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder more than in those who do not. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of data from a previous study with the inclusion criterion of cannabis use at least once weekly over the last 30 days. Adults with and without attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (based on the Adult Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder Self-Report screener) who were enrolled to the active intervention arms of CANreduce 2.0 were compared regarding the number of days cannabis was used in the preceding 30 days, the cannabis use disorder identification test score (CUDIT) and the severity of dependence scale score (SDS) at baseline and the 3-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were Generalized Anxiety Disorder score, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale score, retention, intervention adherence, and safety. Results Both adults with (n=94) and without (n=273) positive attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder screening reported significantly reduced frequency (reduction in consumption days: with: mean 11.53, SD 9.28, P<.001; without: mean 8.53, SD 9.4, P<.001) and severity of cannabis use (SDS: with: mean 3.57, SD 3.65, P<.001; without: mean 2.47, SD 3.39, P<.001; CUDIT: with: mean 6.38, SD 5.96, P<.001; without: mean 5.33, SD 6.05, P<.001), as well as anxiety (with: mean 4.31, SD 4.71, P<.001; without: mean 1.84, SD 4.22, P<.001) and depression (with: mean 10.25, SD 10.54; without: mean 4.39, SD 10.22, P<.001). Those who screened positive for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder also reported significantly decreased attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder scores (mean 4.65, SD 4.44, P<.001). There were no significant differences in change in use (P=.08), dependence (P=.95), use disorder (P=.85), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder status (P=.84), depression (P=.84), or anxiety (P=.26) between baseline and final follow-up, dependent on positive attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder screening. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptom severity at baseline was not associated with reduced cannabis use frequency or severity but was linked to greater reductions in depression (Spearman ρ=.33) and anxiety (Spearman ρ=.28). Individuals with positive attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder screening were significantly less likely to fill out the consumption diary (P=.02), but the association between continuous attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptom severity and retention (Spearman ρ=−0.10, P=.13) was nonsignificant. There also was no significant intergroup difference in the number of completed modules (with: mean 2.10, SD 2.33; without: mean 2.36, SD 2.36, P=.34), and there was no association with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptom severity (Spearman ρ=−0.09; P=.43). The same was true for the rate of adverse effects (P=.33). Conclusions Cannabis users screening positive for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder may benefit from CANreduce 2.0 to decrease the frequency and severity of cannabis dependence and attenuate symptoms of depression and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder-related symptoms. This web-based program’s advantages include its accessibility for remote users and a personalized counselling option that may contribute to increased adherence and motivation to change among program users. Trial Registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) 11086185; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN11086185
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Ahlers
- Swiss Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Baumgartner
- Swiss Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mareike Augsburger
- Swiss Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Wenger
- Swiss Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Doris Malischnig
- Institute for Addiction Prevention, Office of Addiction and Drug Policy of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nikolaos Boumparis
- Swiss Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Berger
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lars Stark
- Arud Centre for Addiction Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David D Ebert
- Clinical Department for Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Severin Haug
- Swiss Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael P Schaub
- Swiss Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kaur N, Bastien G, Gagnon L, Graham J, Mongeau-Pérusse V, Bakouni H, Morissette F, Theriault C, Fischer B, Jutras-Aswad D. Variations of cannabis-related adverse mental health and addiction outcomes across adolescence and adulthood: A scoping review. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:973988. [PMID: 36299544 PMCID: PMC9590692 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.973988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Evidence supporting associations between cannabis use and many health outcomes is growing, however it remains unclear how such associations vary across the lifespan. We therefore aim to answer the following questions: (1) Are the risks of cannabis's adverse effects on mental health and addiction-related outcomes different in adolescents than in adults? (2) What are the relationships between these cannabis's adverse effects and (a) an individual's age at first cannabis use, (b) age at assessment, and (c) duration of cannabis use? METHODS We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and PsychINFO from inception to 18 October 2021. Two reviewers independently screened studies and descriptively synthesized results. RESULTS We included 140 studies. Cannabis effects on mental health and addiction-related outcomes were worse in adolescents, early cannabis initiators and cannabis users who consumed for longest periods. Evidence of worse long-term adverse effects in adolescents was substantial for psychosis, cannabis, and nicotine use disorders; mixed for depression, suicidality, other substance use and disorders; and limited for anxiety. Additionally, acute cannabis exposure had the opposite trend with adults more often reporting adverse effects than adolescents. CONCLUSION The available evidence suggests that cannabis use should be delayed as late as possible in adulthood and shortened in duration across the lifespan to decrease the risk of negative outcomes, while emphasizing the need for adapted harm reduction approaches. This scoping review provides evidence on the role of age and duration of exposure as determinants of cannabis-related adverse effects, which may inform prevention and harm reduction strategies. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/BYG72.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Navdeep Kaur
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Gabriel Bastien
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Lea Gagnon
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Johann Graham
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Violaine Mongeau-Pérusse
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Hamzah Bakouni
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Florence Morissette
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Camille Theriault
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Benedikt Fischer
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Didier Jutras-Aswad
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cannabis Use as a Risk Factor for Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidality: Epidemiological Associations and Implications for Nurses. J Addict Nurs 2020; 31:92-101. [PMID: 32487935 DOI: 10.1097/jan.0000000000000334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders commonly co-occur and are major public health concerns given the morbidity and mortality associated with them. Globally, cannabis is among the most commonly used drugs, and cannabis use frequently begins in adolescence or emerging adulthood, both important periods of development and periods in which psychiatric symptoms and disorders frequently emerge. Thus, the relationships between cannabis use and mental illnesses are essential for nurses and other healthcare professionals and researchers to explore and understand. This literature review examines the relationships between cannabis use and depression, anxiety, and suicide. It includes a primer on the neurobiology of cannabis effects; an overview on the epidemiological evidence on the associations between cannabis use and depression, anxiety, and suicide; and a discussion of implications for nurses, particularly important given changes in the medical and recreational cannabis legislation in North America. Overall, this review found consistent evidence showing a cross-sectional association between recreational cannabis use and depression, anxiety, and suicide, despite some limitations and conflicts in the literature. In addition, most evidence from longitudinal or case control studies suggested cannabis use preceded the development of depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors, although the quality of this evidence was mixed. Implications for future research and nursing practice are discussed.
Collapse
|
4
|
Nguyen HV, Bornstein S, Gamble JM, Mathews M, Bishop L, Mital S. Too young for Cannabis? Choice of minimum legal age for legalized non-medical Cannabis in Canada. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:557. [PMID: 32404144 PMCID: PMC7222435 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08639-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Choice of minimum legal age (MLA) for cannabis use is a critical and contentious issue in legalization of non-medical cannabis. In Canada where non-medical cannabis was recently legalized in October 2018, the federal government recommended age 18, the medical community argued for 21 or even 25, while public consultations led most Canadian provinces to adopt age 19. However, no research has compared later life outcomes of first using cannabis at these different ages to assess their merits as MLAs. Methods We used doubly robust regression techniques and data from nationally representative Canadian surveys to compare educational attainment, cigarette smoking, self-reported general and mental health associated with different ages of first cannabis use. Results We found different MLAs for different outcomes: 21 for educational attainment, 19 for cigarette smoking and mental health and 18 for general health. Assuming equal weight for these individual outcomes, the ‘overall’ MLA for cannabis use was estimated to be 19 years. Our results were robust to various robustness checks. Conclusion Our study indicated that there is merit in setting 19 years as MLA for non-medical cannabis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hai V Nguyen
- School of Pharmacy, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada.
| | - Stephen Bornstein
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Canada.,Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research, St. John's, Canada
| | - John-Michael Gamble
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Maria Mathews
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Lisa Bishop
- School of Pharmacy, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Shweta Mital
- School of Pharmacy, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Meehan-Atrash J, Luo W, McWhirter KJ, Strongin RM. Aerosol Gas-Phase Components from Cannabis E-Cigarettes and Dabbing: Mechanistic Insight and Quantitative Risk Analysis. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:16111-16120. [PMID: 31592479 PMCID: PMC6777088 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b02301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Consumption of cannabis by nontraditional methods has surged since the advent of legalization in North America and worldwide. Inhaling cannabis extracts using vaporizers and via dabbing has risen in popularity, while concerns over product safety have not hindered their proliferation. The work herein is the first step toward assessing the safety of vaporizing and dabbing concentrated cannabis extracts as a function of gas-phase reaction products. The gas-phase thermal degradants of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have not been previously investigated. It was found that users may be exposed to concerning degradants such as methacrolein, benzene, and methyl vinyl ketone when using cartridge vaporizers and dabbing. It was shown that THC alone and mixed with terpenes generated similar degradation products and, most notably, elevated levels of isoprene. Importantly, it was shown that added terpenes led to higher levels of gas-phase products compared to THC alone. To estimate cancer and noncancer risks associated with exposure to these and other degradants, quantitative risk assessment was applied to experimentally determined values for dabbing and vaping and literature-sourced levels of hazardous components in cannabis smoke. Overall, gas-phase aerosol products had significantly lower values in dabbing and vaporizing compared to cannabis smoking, although these results should be interpreted in light of potential variations in degradant levels due to disparate usage patterns and the dangers of the higher aerosol concentration of THC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiries Meehan-Atrash
- Department
of Chemistry and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97207-0751, United States
| | - Wentai Luo
- Department
of Chemistry and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97207-0751, United States
| | - Kevin J. McWhirter
- Department
of Chemistry and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97207-0751, United States
| | - Robert M. Strongin
- Department
of Chemistry and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97207-0751, United States
| |
Collapse
|