Who becomes cannabis dependent soon after onset of use? Epidemiological evidence from the United States: 2000–2001
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 approximately 12 months). Excess risk of cannabis dependence was found for those with cannabis onset before late-adolescence, those with family income less than US dollars 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.
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A proportion of those who begin using any drug will experience problems related to their use, and some will develop dependence.
“A proportion of those who begin using any drug will experience problems related to their use, and some will develop dependence ([Anthony et al., 1994](#R3); [Chen et al., 2005](#R7)).”
From Epidemiological patterns of extra-medical drug use in the United States: Evidence from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication, 2001–2003 (2007) · cites this paper as Chen et al., 2005
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- Authors
- Chen, C.-Y., O’Brien, M. S., & Anthony, J. C.
- Affiliations
- Johns Hopkins University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Anthony, James C.
- Venue
- Drug and Alcohol Dependence
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2005-07
- Volume
- 79
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 11-22
- ISSN
- 0376-8716 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2035489177
- Cited by
- 260
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 8.29
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Drug and Alcohol Dependence (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Johns Hopkins University
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (T32 DA07292, R01 DA09897, K05DA015799, R01DA009897, T32DA007292)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Keywords
- cannabis use disorder, risk factors, household income, polydrug use, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, adolescence, National Survey on Drug Use and Health
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Marijuana Abuse, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires, United States, Incidence, Age of Onset
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