Greater vulnerability to cannabis dependence among heavy cannabis user French women

• Published in: The American journal on addictions 2024-05, Vol.33 (3), p.320-326
• Main Authors: Guillem, Eric, Baylé, Franck J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anxiety; Cannabis; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Hallucinogens; Humans; Male; Marijuana Abuse - epidemiology; Marijuana Abuse - psychology; Mood Disorders
• ISSN: 1055-0496; 1521-0391; 1521-0391
• DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13503

Background and Objectives Between 1990 and the mid‐2010s, France registered a sharp rise in the spread and consumption of cannabis. At the same time, there has been an increase in the concentration of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol contained in cannabis. The aims of our study are to measure addictive and psychiatric comorbidities in cannabis users in France, and to compare characteristics between women and men. Methods Three hundred and forty‐two heavy cannabis users seen in a cannabis clinic between 2004 and 2014 were assessed during a 2‐h clinical interview (DSM‐IV, MINI). Results 83.2% of users are currently cannabis dependent, 10.6% alcohol dependent, and 2.1% cocaine/crack dependent. 37.8% have a current mood disorder, 47.6% have a current anxiety disorder, and 8.8% are psychotic. Women suffer significantly more often than men from major depressive episodes, dysthymia, agoraphobia, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), both current and lifetime. Logistic regression shows that women have a significantly higher risk than men of suffering from PTSD over their lifetime (odds ratio [OR] = 5.48; p