S Chaudhury1, S Sudarsanan2, S K Salujha3, K Srivastava4. 1. Classified Specialist (Psychiatry), Command Hospital (Western Command), Chandimandir. 2. Commandant, Armed Forces Medical Stores Depot, Delhi Cantt. 3. Ex-Classified Specialist (Psychiatry), Military Hospital Jalandhar Cantt. 4. Scientist 'D'(Clinical Psychologist), Department of Psychiatry, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune-40.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cannabis abuse has been associated with psychiatric disorders. METHODS: The pattern of cannabis use and incidence of cannabis dependence and cannabis psychosis among 471 consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary care psychiatric center was investigated. RESULTS: Cannabis use was reported by 67 (14.23%) patients of whom 42 (8.92%) were occasional users, 18 (3.82%) were classified as frequent users while 7 (1.49%) fulfilled criteria for cannabis dependence. 3 (0.64%) patients showed symptoms which were characteristic of cannabis psychosis. Among the 67 cannabis users, 56 (83.58%) had their first exposure to cannabis before entering service at 13-19 years of age. The remaining 14 (16.09%) began consuming cannabis 1-5 years after joining service. CONCLUSION: The reasons given for using cannabis were curiosity about its effects 32 (47.76%), peer pressure 17 (25.37%) or traditional use during festivals 18 (26.87%).
BACKGROUND:Cannabis abuse has been associated with psychiatric disorders. METHODS: The pattern of cannabis use and incidence of cannabis dependence and cannabis psychosis among 471 consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary care psychiatric center was investigated. RESULTS: Cannabis use was reported by 67 (14.23%) patients of whom 42 (8.92%) were occasional users, 18 (3.82%) were classified as frequent users while 7 (1.49%) fulfilled criteria for cannabis dependence. 3 (0.64%) patients showed symptoms which were characteristic of cannabis psychosis. Among the 67 cannabis users, 56 (83.58%) had their first exposure to cannabis before entering service at 13-19 years of age. The remaining 14 (16.09%) began consuming cannabis 1-5 years after joining service. CONCLUSION: The reasons given for using cannabis were curiosity about its effects 32 (47.76%), peer pressure 17 (25.37%) or traditional use during festivals 18 (26.87%).
Authors: P R Menezes; S Johnson; G Thornicroft; J Marshall; D Prosser; P Bebbington; E Kuipers Journal: Br J Psychiatry Date: 1996-05 Impact factor: 9.319