Cannabis Use and Social Anxiety Disorder Often Co-Occur in Young Adults

The prevalence of co-occurring cannabis use and social anxiety disorder was 1.10%. Being White, a part-time student, or not a student increased odds of having both conditions (OR: 2.26-3.09). Multiple psychiatric disorders were strongly associated with the co-occurrence, including panic disorder (AOR up to 19.05), major depressive disorder, bipolar I, generalized anxiety, specific phobia, and agoraphobia (AOR range: 3.03-19.05).

Cross-sectional analysis of 5,194 emerging adults (ages 18-25) from the NESARC-III, a nationally representative US survey. Weighted cross-tabulations and multinomial logistic regressions examined four groups: no cannabis/no SAD, cannabis only, SAD only, and cannabis plus SAD.

Social anxiety is one of the most commonly cited reasons for cannabis use among young adults. Understanding who is at risk for both conditions simultaneously helps target screening and intervention efforts in a population where both are highly prevalent.

The strong associations with other psychiatric disorders suggest that co-occurring cannabis use and social anxiety may be a marker of broader mental health vulnerability rather than a simple two-condition overlap. Screening for one should prompt assessment for the other, and for additional psychiatric conditions.

Cross-sectional design cannot determine whether cannabis use leads to social anxiety, vice versa, or both arise from shared risk factors. The 1.10% co-occurrence rate may underestimate true prevalence due to stigma in reporting. NESARC-III data is from 2012-2013.