Cannabis-Dependent Young People Seeking Help Usually Have Multiple Mental Health Conditions
Young people aged 14 to 29 who sought treatment for cannabis dependence and mental health problems typically had at least two additional psychiatric diagnoses, with anxiety disorders being the most common.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 36 young people seeking help for both cannabis dependence and mental health issues, the psychiatric picture was complex. Most had at least two Axis I disorders on top of their cannabis dependence. Anxiety disorders dominated, particularly PTSD, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder.
Participants reported moderate dependence severity, significant functional impairment, and numerous cannabis-related problems. While males and females used similar total amounts per month, females used cannabis more frequently.
Key Numbers
36 participants aged 14-29. Most had 2+ Axis I disorders beyond cannabis dependence. PTSD, social phobia, and GAD were the most common anxiety diagnoses. Females used cannabis more frequently than males despite similar monthly quantities.
How They Did This
The study used structured clinical interviews (SCID for DSM-IV-TR) to diagnose psychiatric conditions in 36 help-seeking young people aged 14 to 29. Cannabis use patterns were measured with a modified Timeline Followback interview and self-report questionnaires.
Why This Research Matters
Treatment programs that address cannabis use alone may miss the multiple co-occurring psychiatric conditions that young people bring to treatment. Effective intervention likely requires integrated approaches that address anxiety, trauma, and other conditions simultaneously.
The Bigger Picture
This study underscores the complexity of cannabis dependence in young people. It is rarely a standalone problem. The high prevalence of anxiety disorders, particularly PTSD, suggests that many young cannabis users may be self-medicating for untreated trauma and anxiety.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
The small sample of 36 participants limits generalizability. All participants were treatment-seeking, which means they may represent more severe cases than the general population of cannabis-dependent young people. The cross-sectional design cannot clarify whether psychiatric conditions preceded or followed cannabis dependence.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would integrated treatment addressing both cannabis dependence and co-occurring anxiety disorders produce better outcomes?
- ?Do gender differences in use frequency reflect different motivations for use?
- ?How does trauma history shape cannabis use patterns in young people?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Most participants had 2+ psychiatric diagnoses beyond cannabis dependence
- Evidence Grade:
- Small cross-sectional study of treatment-seeking young people; findings may not apply broadly.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2012. Integrated treatment approaches for co-occurring cannabis and mental health conditions have continued to develop.
- Original Title:
- Two Sides of the Same Coin: Cannabis Dependence and Mental Health Problems in Help-Seeking Adolescent and Young Adult Outpatients.
- Published In:
- International journal of mental health and addiction, 10(6), 818-828 (2012)
- Authors:
- Norberg, Melissa M(5), Battisti, Robert A(3), Copeland, Jan(12), Hermens, Daniel F, Hickie, Ian B
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00597
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why do so many cannabis-dependent young people have anxiety disorders?
The relationship likely runs in both directions. Some young people may use cannabis to cope with pre-existing anxiety, while heavy cannabis use can also worsen or trigger anxiety symptoms. Trauma exposure, particularly PTSD, appeared frequently in this sample.
Did males and females use cannabis differently?
Males and females used similar total quantities per month, but females used more frequently. This could reflect different patterns of use, with females spreading their consumption across more occasions while males may use larger amounts per session.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00597APA
Norberg, Melissa M; Battisti, Robert A; Copeland, Jan; Hermens, Daniel F; Hickie, Ian B. (2012). Two Sides of the Same Coin: Cannabis Dependence and Mental Health Problems in Help-Seeking Adolescent and Young Adult Outpatients.. International journal of mental health and addiction, 10(6), 818-828.
MLA
Norberg, Melissa M, et al. "Two Sides of the Same Coin: Cannabis Dependence and Mental Health Problems in Help-Seeking Adolescent and Young Adult Outpatients.." International journal of mental health and addiction, 2012.
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Two Sides of the Same Coin: Cannabis Dependence and Mental H..." RTHC-00597. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/norberg-2012-two-sides-of-the
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.