Carol J Boyd1,2,3, Philip T Veliz1,2, Sean Esteban McCabe1,2,4,5. 1. Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. 2. Institute for Research on Women and Gender, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. 3. University of Michigan Addiction Research Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. 4. Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. 5. Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Abstract
Background: Our study is the first using a national sample to examine the severity of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) cannabis use disorder (CUD) in sexual minorities. Drawing from current literature, we expected that bisexual individuals would have the highest prevalence of CUD and the most severe form of CUD. Methods: The National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III; 2012-2013) provides a nationally representative adult sample (N = 36,309), including one of the largest samples of sexual minorities. The NESARC-III is large enough to compare subpopulations of sexual minorities on dimensions of substance use disorder severity. Results: Lesbians and gay men were more likely to report mild CUD, whereas bisexuals and respondents "not sure" of their sexual identity were more likely to report severe CUD when compared with heterosexuals. Sexual minorities and heterosexuals who reported lifetime use of medical cannabis had higher odds of having a severe CUD. Sexual minorities had significantly higher odds of lifetime medical cannabis use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.42-3.66, P < .001) when compared with heterosexuals, with bisexuals having the highest odds (AOR = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.66-4.75, P < .001). Conclusions: Sexual minorities have the highest odds compared with heterosexuals of developing any CUD. Moreover, the higher rates of severe CUD among bisexuals and those "not sure" have implications for drug prevention with these particularly high-risk groups. It appears that lifetime medical marijuana use may play a role in the development of CUD, although more rigorous measures of medical marijuana use are needed to determine the nature of the relations.
Background: Our study is the first using a national sample to examine the severity of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) cannabis use disorder (CUD) in sexual minorities. Drawing from current literature, we expected that bisexual individuals would have the highest prevalence of CUD and the most severe form of CUD. Methods: The National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III; 2012-2013) provides a nationally representative adult sample (N = 36,309), including one of the largest samples of sexual minorities. The NESARC-III is large enough to compare subpopulations of sexual minorities on dimensions of substance use disorder severity. Results: Lesbians and gay men were more likely to report mild CUD, whereas bisexuals and respondents "not sure" of their sexual identity were more likely to report severe CUD when compared with heterosexuals. Sexual minorities and heterosexuals who reported lifetime use of medical cannabis had higher odds of having a severe CUD. Sexual minorities had significantly higher odds of lifetime medical cannabis use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.42-3.66, P < .001) when compared with heterosexuals, with bisexuals having the highest odds (AOR = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.66-4.75, P < .001). Conclusions: Sexual minorities have the highest odds compared with heterosexuals of developing any CUD. Moreover, the higher rates of severe CUD among bisexuals and those "not sure" have implications for drug prevention with these particularly high-risk groups. It appears that lifetime medical marijuana use may play a role in the development of CUD, although more rigorous measures of medical marijuana use are needed to determine the nature of the relations.
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