New Cannabis Withdrawal Scale developed: nightmares were most diagnostic, angry outbursts caused the most distress
The Cannabis Withdrawal Scale was developed with excellent reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.91), finding nightmares as the most diagnostic symptom and angry outbursts as the most distressing.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Researchers developed and validated the Cannabis Withdrawal Scale using 49 dependent cannabis users who provided daily symptom scores during one baseline week and two weeks of abstinence.
The scale demonstrated excellent psychometric properties: internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.91) and test-retest stability (average intra-class correlation = 0.95).
Nightmares and strange dreams were the most statistically valid withdrawal indicator (Wald chi-squared = 105.6) but caused relatively little distress. Angry outbursts were both intense (Wald chi-squared = 73.69) and highly distressing (Wald chi-squared = 45.54). Difficulty falling asleep was also intense (Wald chi-squared = 42.31) and distressing (Wald chi-squared = 47.76).
Scores on the Severity of Dependence Scale predicted the severity of cannabis withdrawal symptoms.
Key Numbers
49 dependent cannabis users. Cronbach's alpha = 0.91. Intra-class correlation = 0.95. Nightmares: Wald chi-squared = 105.6. Angry outbursts: Wald chi-squared = 73.69. Sleep onset difficulty: Wald chi-squared = 42.31.
How They Did This
Prospective validation study with 49 dependent cannabis users providing daily Cannabis Withdrawal Scale scores during 1 week of baseline use and 2 weeks of monitored abstinence. Psychometric analysis included internal reliability, test-retest stability, content validity, and predictor analysis.
Why This Research Matters
Having a validated withdrawal measure was essential for clinical trials of cannabis dependence treatments and for establishing cannabis withdrawal as a clinically recognized condition.
The Bigger Picture
This scale became an important tool for cannabis dependence research and clinical practice, contributing to the eventual inclusion of cannabis withdrawal as a diagnosis in the DSM-5.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Volunteer sample of 49 participants may not represent all cannabis-dependent populations. Two weeks of abstinence may not capture the full withdrawal timeline. Self-reported symptoms.
Questions This Raises
- ?How does the Cannabis Withdrawal Scale perform in clinical treatment settings?
- ?Do withdrawal severity scores predict treatment outcomes?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Nightmares: most diagnostic. Angry outbursts: most distressing.
- Evidence Grade:
- Well-designed psychometric validation study with excellent reliability statistics, though with a moderate sample size.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2011. The Cannabis Withdrawal Scale has been widely used in subsequent research.
- Original Title:
- The Cannabis Withdrawal Scale development: patterns and predictors of cannabis withdrawal and distress.
- Published In:
- Drug and alcohol dependence, 119(1-2), 123-9 (2011)
- Authors:
- Allsop, David J(6), Norberg, Melissa M(5), Copeland, Jan(12), Fu, Shanlin, Budney, Alan J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00467
Evidence Hierarchy
Enrolls participants and follows them forward in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the worst cannabis withdrawal symptom?
While nightmares/strange dreams were the most diagnostically useful symptom, angry outbursts and sleep onset difficulty caused the most distress. Different symptoms peaked in intensity versus causing the most suffering.
Is cannabis withdrawal a real medical condition?
This study provided validated measurement tools for cannabis withdrawal. The syndrome was subsequently included as a diagnosis in the DSM-5. Symptoms include nightmares, angry outbursts, sleep difficulties, and irritability.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00467APA
Allsop, David J; Norberg, Melissa M; Copeland, Jan; Fu, Shanlin; Budney, Alan J. (2011). The Cannabis Withdrawal Scale development: patterns and predictors of cannabis withdrawal and distress.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 119(1-2), 123-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.06.003
MLA
Allsop, David J, et al. "The Cannabis Withdrawal Scale development: patterns and predictors of cannabis withdrawal and distress.." Drug and alcohol dependence, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.06.003
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "The Cannabis Withdrawal Scale development: patterns and pred..." RTHC-00467. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/allsop-2011-the-cannabis-withdrawal-scale
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.