Impulsivity and using cannabis to cope with negative emotions were the strongest predictors of heavy daily use | Research

The takeaway

Among 2,545 cannabis users, those who showed greater delay discounting (preference for immediate rewards) and used cannabis to cope with negative emotions were most likely to be in the heaviest use group (daily, 4+ times per day).

Addiction therapists, cannabis cessation researchers, and clinicians assessing problematic use.

36% of users: daily, 4+ times; driven by impulsivity and coping motives

What the researchers found

Latent class analysis identified three use groups: low (23%, 1-9 days/month), moderate (41%, 10-29 days/month, 2-3 times/day), and high (36%, daily, 4+ times/day). Greater delay discounting (impulsivity) and cannabis coping motives were significantly associated with higher frequency use classes. Anxiety sensitivity also predicted higher use. Negative urgency was not significantly associated with use frequency.

Why it matters

Identifying that impulsivity and emotional coping drive heavy use provides specific therapeutic targets. Rather than treating cannabis use generally, interventions could focus on improving delay tolerance and teaching alternative coping strategies.

The numbers in context

2,545 users; 3 classes: low 23%, moderate 41%, high 36%; delay discounting significant (χ2=6.0, p=.05); coping motives highly significant (χ2=73.3); anxiety sensitivity significant (χ2=12.1, p=.002).

How the study worked

National sample of 2,545 cannabis users assessed for delay discounting, negative urgency, cannabis coping motives, and anxiety sensitivity. Latent class analysis derived frequency groups; multinomial logistic regression tested predictors.

What this study cannot tell us

Cross-sectional (cannot determine if impulsivity causes heavy use or heavy use increases impulsivity); self-report frequency; national but convenience sample; did not assess cannabis potency or form; latent classes are statistical constructs.

How to read the evidence

Strong: large national sample with validated measures and appropriate statistical methods.

When this study was published

Published 2020.

The bigger picture

The finding that 36% of users consume daily at 4+ times/day highlights that "cannabis use" is not one behavior. The heaviest users are driven by impulsivity and emotional coping, patterns that overlap with other substance use disorders.

Questions still open

Would impulsivity-targeted interventions (like contingency management) reduce heavy cannabis use? Is there a causal pathway from emotional coping motives to dependence?

Common questions

What drives heavy cannabis use?

In 2,545 users, the strongest predictors of heavy daily use were delay discounting (preference for immediate rewards over future ones) and using cannabis to cope with negative emotions. These are treatable patterns.

How common is very heavy cannabis use?

In this sample, 36% used cannabis daily at 4 or more times per day. An additional 41% used 10-29 days per month at 2-3 times per day. Only 23% were in the low-use category.

Read the original research

Greater delay discounting and cannabis coping motives are associated with more frequent cannabis use in a large sample of adult cannabis users.

Drug and alcohol dependence, 207, 107820

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Sofis, Michael J; Budney, Alan J; Stanger, Catherine; Knapp, Ashley A; Borodovsky, Jacob T. (2020). Greater delay discounting and cannabis coping motives are associated with more frequent cannabis use in a large sample of adult cannabis users.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 207, 107820. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107820