Epidemiological evidence from the United States: 2000–2001Received 20 May 2004; received in revised form 16 November 2004; accepted 22 November 2004

Abstract

In this paper we estimate the risk of becoming cannabis dependent within 24 months after first use of cannabis and examine subgroup variation in this risk. The study estimates are based on the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse conducted during 2000–2001, with a representative sample of U.S. residents ages 12 and older (n = 114,241). A total of 3352 respondents were found to have used cannabis for the first time within a span of up to 24 months prior to assessment. An estimated 3.9% of these recent-onset users developed a cannabis dependence syndrome during the interval since first use (median interval duration ∼12 months). Excess risk of cannabis dependence was found for those with cannabis onset before late-adolescence, those with family income less than US$ 20,000, and those who had used three or more drugs before the first use of cannabis (i.e., tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs). While these findings generally support previous study results, this study’s focus on recent-onset users more closely approximates prospective and longitudinal research on the incidence (risk) of becoming cannabis dependent soon after onset of cannabis use, removing the influence of users with long-sustained or persistent cannabis dependence developed years ago.

Chuan-Yu Chena, Megan S. O’Brien a, James C. Anthony a, b, ∗ a Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 8th Fl., 624 N. Broadway Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA b Department of Epidemiology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, B601 West Fee Hall, 6th Fl., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA