Anxiety sensitivity and cigarette use on cannabis use problems, perceived barriers for cannabis cessation, and self-efficacy for quitting among adults with cannabis use disorder

• Published in: Addictive behaviors 2023-02, Vol.137, p.107509-107509, Article 107509
• Main Authors: Orr, Michael F., Heggeness, Luke F., Mehta, Nirvi, Moya, Jacob, Manning, Kara, Garey, Lorra, Hogan, Julianna, de Dios, Marcel, Zvolensky, Michael J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addictive behavior; Adult; Anxiety; Anxiety sensitivity; Cannabis; Cannabis use disorder; Cannabis use problems; Female; Hallucinogens; Humans; Male; Marijuana Abuse; Perceived barriers for cessation; Self Efficacy; Substance-Related Disorders; Tobacco Products
• ISSN: 0306-4603; 1873-6327
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107509

•Anxiety sensitivity relates to cannabis use problems among current cigarette users.•There was no significant interaction for self-efficacy for remaining abstinent.•Cigarette users may be especially vulnerable to the effects of anxiety sensitivity. Many individuals diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (CUD) report a desire to quit using cannabis due to problems associated with use. Yet, successful abstinence is difficult for a large subset of this population. Thus, the present study sought to elucidate potential risk factors for cannabis use problems, perceived barriers for quitting, and diminished self-efficacy for remaining abstinent. Specifically, this investigation examined cigarette user status, anxiety sensitivity, and the interplay between these individual difference factors in terms of cannabis-related problems, perceived barriers for cannabis cessation, and self-efficacy for quitting cannabis use. The sample consisted of 132 adult cannabis users who met criteria for CUD and were interested in quitting (38 % female; 63.6 % Black; Mage = 37.22; SDage = 28.79; 54.6 % current tobacco users). Findings revealed a significant interaction, such that anxiety sensitivity was related to cannabis use problems and perceived barriers for cannabis cessation among current cigarette users, but not among cigarette non-users. There was no significant interaction for self-efficacy for remaining abstinent. The current findings suggest that cigarette users constitute a subgroup that may be especially vulnerable to the effects of anxiety sensitivity in terms of cannabis use problems and perceived barriers for quitting cannabis use.