Cannabis Dependence as a Primary Drug Use-Related Problem: The Case for Harm Reduction-Oriented Treatment Options

Few studies have focused on cannabis dependence as compared to other drugs more commonly acknowledged as presenting a substantial need for treatment. This paper presents findings from a 2004-2005 study of drug user treatment clients in Southern Ontario, Canada. Clients with cannabis (n = 128) or coc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Substance use & misuse 2009-01, Vol.44 (7), p.990-1008
Main Authors: Hathaway, A. D., Callaghan, R. C., Macdonald, S., Erickson, P. G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abstinence
Addictive behaviors
Adolescent
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Age Factors
Biological and medical sciences
Cannabis
Cannabis dependence
Cocaine
Cocaine-Related Disorders - psychology
Cocaine-Related Disorders - therapy
Demographic aspects
Drug Abuse
Drug addiction
Drug addicts
Drug dependency
drug effects
Female
Harm Reduction
Humans
Life Style
Male
Marijuana
Marijuana Abuse - complications
Marijuana Abuse - psychology
Marijuana Abuse - therapy
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Prevention
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychosocial Factors
Risk
Sex Characteristics
Sociodemographic Factors
Substance abuse
Symptoms
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Summary:Few studies have focused on cannabis dependence as compared to other drugs more commonly acknowledged as presenting a substantial need for treatment. This paper presents findings from a 2004-2005 study of drug user treatment clients in Southern Ontario, Canada. Clients with cannabis (n = 128) or cocaine (n = 300) as their primary drug problem were compared on psychosocial and demographic characteristics, drug effects, and clinical impairment. There are more similarities than differences between groups, with DAST and DSM scores showing high rates of "dependence" and reported symptoms of "abuse." However, cannabis consistently scored lower on these items, supporting the idea of a continuum of risk on which its rank compared with other potentially misused drugs holds across a wide range of symptoms of impairment. The less disruptive nature of cannabis use-related problems poses greater challenges for drug user treatment providers guided by strict abstinence agendas. The authors call for the expansion of harm reduction treatment options and educational initiatives beyond primary prevention that acknowledge benefits of moderate controlled use when addressing cannabis misuse.
ISSN:1082-6084
1532-2491
DOI:10.1080/10826080802494875