Prevalence of Marijuana Use Disorders in the United States

Abstract

ARIJUANA HAS BEEN THE most common illicit substance used in the United States for several decades. 1,2 Understanding changes in the use of marijuana over time is important for a number of reasons. Marijuana use is associated with impaired educational attainment, 3 reduced workplace productivity, 4 and increased risk of use of other substances. 5 Marijuana use plays a major role in motor vehicle crashes 6 and has adverse effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. 7-10 Marijuana use also is a necessary, although not a sufficient, condition for developing marijuana abuse and dependence as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), which are clear indicators of problems in and of themselves. 11 Marijuana abuse is defined in the DSM-IV as repeated instances of use under hazardous conditions; repeated, clinically meaningful impairment in social/occupational/ educational functioning, or legal problems related to marijuana use. Marijuana dependence is defined in the DSM-IV as increased tolerance, compulsive use, impaired control, and continued use despite physical and psychological problems caused or exacerbated by use. Beyond the seriousness of these disorders in their own right, marijuana abuse and dependence increase the risk of other serious consequences, most significantly, major mood, anxiety, and personality psychopathology. 12-14

Antisocial behavioral syndromes and DSM-IV drug use disorders in the United States: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions

“…Reliability and validity of AUDADIS-IV diagnoses and drug consumption measures-As reported in detail elsewhere (Grant et al, 2003b(Grant et al, , 2004b, reliability and validity were good to excellent for all substance use disorders (Canino et al, 1999;Compton et al, 2004Compton et al, , 2005Grant et al, 1995Grant et al, , 2003aHasin et al, 1997aHasin et al, ,b, 2003Hasin and Paykin, 1999;Vrasti et al, 1998), and fair to good for mood, anxiety, and personality disorders, including ASPD (Canino et al, 1999;Compton et al, 2004Compton et al, , 2005Conway et al, 2005;Grant et al, 2003aGrant et al, , 2004aGrant et al, ,b,c, 2005a. Measures of drug use, including prevalences and ages at onset of use of specific drug classes, displayed fair to excellent reliability (Grant, 1996;Grant and Dawson, 1998;Grant et al, 1995;Hasin et al, 1997a,b).…”

Effects of THC and lofexidine in a human laboratory model of marijuana withdrawal and relapse

“…NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript resulted in a significant number of individuals developing cannabis use disorders, i.e., approximately 1.5% of the U.S. population (Compton et al, 2004).…”

“…Marinol; Britlofex; dependence; withdrawal; treatment; cannabinoid; norepinephrine Marijuana use is prevalent in American society, and the number of individuals who currently meet DSM-IV criteria for cannabis abuse or dependence has steadily increased since the 1990s (Compton et al, 2004). Although marijuana is less likely to produce dependence than drugs such as nicotine, alcohol or heroin (Anthony et al, 1994), the sheer number of marijuana smokers combined with the increasing potency of marijuana has …”

Personality Disorders and the 3-Year Course of Alcohol, Drug, and Nicotine Use Disorders

“…Alcohol, nicotine and drug use disorders are highly prevalent 1-3 , comorbid with other mental disorders 1, 2, 4, 5 , and associated with considerable health, economic and social burdens. The chronic nature of substance use disorders (SUD) seen in alcohol and drug treatment settings 6, 7 continues to present challenges to clinicians and researchers.…”