F Hölscher1, U Bonnet, N Scherbaum. 1. Arbeitsgruppe Sucht an der Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Klinik für abhängiges Verhalten und Suchtmedizin, Rheinische Kliniken Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstrasse 174, Essen, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There has been an increase of cannabis-related disorders in Germany during the last 10 years. According treatments are being established, however little is known about the treatment populations. METHODS: The population of an outpatient treatment program for diagnosis and therapy of cannabis-related disorders was investigated using a structured interview (based on EuropASI, SCID-I) regarding sociodemographic variables, history of addiction, consumption patterns, and psychiatric comorbidity. RESULTS: The 90 patients studied had a mean age of 27.5+/-6.6 years; 82% were male. They claimed averages of cannabis consumption for 11+/-7 years and current amount at 1.9 g per day. Alcohol problems were also common in this sample. High percentages were shown regarding unemployment, living alone, and problems with the law. Comorbid psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in 42% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The patients were chronic users of cannabis with extensive psychosocial problems. Therapy of cannabis-related disorders should therefore include treatment for comorbidities and social care besides the treatment for addictive behavior.
BACKGROUND: There has been an increase of cannabis-related disorders in Germany during the last 10 years. According treatments are being established, however little is known about the treatment populations. METHODS: The population of an outpatient treatment program for diagnosis and therapy of cannabis-related disorders was investigated using a structured interview (based on EuropASI, SCID-I) regarding sociodemographic variables, history of addiction, consumption patterns, and psychiatric comorbidity. RESULTS: The 90 patients studied had a mean age of 27.5+/-6.6 years; 82% were male. They claimed averages of cannabis consumption for 11+/-7 years and current amount at 1.9 g per day. Alcohol problems were also common in this sample. High percentages were shown regarding unemployment, living alone, and problems with the law. Comorbid psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in 42% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The patients were chronic users of cannabis with extensive psychosocial problems. Therapy of cannabis-related disorders should therefore include treatment for comorbidities and social care besides the treatment for addictive behavior.
Authors: Julia D Grant; Jeffrey F Scherrer; Rosalind J Neuman; Alexandre A Todorov; Rumi K Price; Kathleen K Bucholz Journal: Addiction Date: 2006-08 Impact factor: 6.526
Authors: Udo Bonnet; Michael Specka; Michael Soyka; Thomas Alberti; Stefan Bender; Torsten Grigoleit; Leopold Hermle; Jörg Hilger; Thomas Hillemacher; Thomas Kuhlmann; Jens Kuhn; Christian Luckhaus; Christel Lüdecke; Jens Reimer; Udo Schneider; Welf Schroeder; Markus Stuppe; Gerhard A Wiesbeck; Norbert Wodarz; Heath McAnally; Norbert Scherbaum Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2020-10-26 Impact factor: 4.157