Many Teens Who Smoke Marijuana Become Dependent

Australian researchers have found that one in three teenagers who smoke marijuana become psychologically dependent on the drug by their early 20s, the Independent reported April 1.

But the study also found that the dependence is mental, rather than physical. In examining marijuana dependence among 1,601 20- and 21-year-olds, the researchers found that the key factor in becoming dependent was frequency of use.

Source: Coffey, C., Carlin, J., Lynskey, M., Li, N., & Patton, G. (2003) Adolescent precursors of
cannabis dependence: findings from the Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study.
 British Journal of Psychiatry, 182: 330-336. April 2003

Back to top of page

Powered by WordPress