Abstract
Introduction and Aims: Given the increase in cannabis availability and use in North America, identification of risk factors for cannabis use and dependence is paramount. One factor that may be associated with various cannabis-related adverse outcomes is the context in which it is used. This secondary analysis study sought to examine the extent to which the social context of cannabis use is related to patterns of use and associated harms. Design and Methods: One hundred and eighty-eight adult cannabis users were community-recruited in Halifax, Canada. Participants took part in a face-to-face structured interview where they provided information about the social context of their most recent cannabis-using occasion and about their patterns of, and motives for, cannabis use. Results: Compared to individuals reporting their most recent cannabis-using occasion as social, solitary users (n = 55) were significantly more likely to screen positive for psychosis, endorse more symptoms of cannabis abuse/dependence, report using cannabis to cope, and use cannabis on more days within the previous 30 days. On the other hand, social users were significantly more likely to report using alcohol in addition to cannabis during their most recent cannabis-using occasion (all P < 0.05). Discussion and Conclusions: Results suggest that solitary cannabis use may be associated with specific motives for use and future adverse consequences. Findings from this study serve as a guide for future investigations which could ultimately inform public policy and the development of targeted harm-reduction strategies.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 316-320 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Drug and Alcohol Review |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Funding for this study was provided a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Catalyst Grant. Dr Stewart is supported through a CIHR Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Addiction and Mental Health. CIHR had no role in the study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of the data, writing of the manuscript or the decision to submit the paper for publication.
Funding Information:
Funding for this study was provided a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Catalyst Grant. Dr Stewart is supported through a CIHR Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Addiction and Mental Health. CIHR had no role in the study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of the data, writing of the manuscript or the decision to submit the paper for publication. The protocol was approved by the Capital Health Research Ethics Board (CDHA-RS/2010-253). The authors would like to acknowledge Karen Hecimovic and Janine Olthuis for their assistance with data collection and entry.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs
ASJC Scopus Subject Areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Health(social science)