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Cited by 237Cannabis and Cannabinoid ResearchSubstance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesMental Health Treatment and Access

The persistence of the association between adolescent cannabis use and common mental disorders into young adulthood

Degenhardt, Louisa, Coffey, Carolyn, Romaniuk, Helena, Swift, Wendy, Carlin, John B., Hall, Wayne D., Patton, George C.·2013·Addiction
DOI 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.04015.x
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Abstract

AIMS: Debate continues about whether the association between cannabis use in adolescence and common mental disorders is causal. Most reports have focused on associations in adolescence, with few studies extending into adulthood. We examine the association from adolescence until the age of 29 years in a representative prospective cohort of young Australians. DESIGN: Nine-wave, 15-year representative longitudinal cohort study, with six waves of data collection in adolescence (mean age 14.9-17.4 years) and three in young adulthood (mean age 20.7, 24.1 and 29.1 years). PARTICIPANTS: Participants were a cohort of 1943 recruited in secondary school and surveyed at each wave when possible from mid-teen age to their late 20s. SETTING: Victoria, Australia. MEASUREMENTS: Psychiatric morbidity was assessed with the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) at each adolescent wave, and as Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI)-defined ICD-10 major depressive episode and anxiety disorder at 29 years. Frequency of cannabis use was measured in the past 6 months in adolescence. Cannabis use frequency in the last year and DSM-IV cannabis dependence were assessed at 29 years. Cross-sectional and prospective associations of these outcomes with cannabis use and dependence were estimated as odds ratios (OR), using multivariable logistic regression models, with the outcomes of interest, major depressive episode (MDE) and anxiety disorder (AD) at 29 years. FINDINGS: There were no consistent associations between adolescent cannabis use and depression at age 29 years. Daily cannabis use was associated with anxiety disorder at 29 years [adjusted OR 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI):< 1.2-5.2], as was cannabis dependence (adjusted OR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1-4.4). Among weekly+ adolescent cannabis users, those who continued to use cannabis use daily at 29 years remained at significantly increased odds of anxiety disorder (adjusted OR 3.2, 95% CI: 1.1-9.2). CONCLUSIONS: Regular (particularly daily) adolescent cannabis use is associated consistently with anxiety, but not depressive disorder, in adolescence and late young adulthood, even among regular users who then cease using the drug. It is possible that early cannabis exposure causes enduring mental health risks in the general cannabis-using adolescent population.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.04015.x

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  • The higher risk for depression and anxiety in adolescents who continue to smoke until age 29 years was also confirmed by Degenhardt et al.

    “Interestingly, the higher risk for depression and anxiety in adolescents that continue to smoke until age 29 years was also confirmed by Degenhardt et al, 38 suggesting that even the chronic use in young age is detrimental for mental health.”

    From Association of Cannabis Use in Adolescence and Risk of Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidality in Young Adulthood (2019) · cites this paper as [38]

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Authors
Degenhardt, L., Coffey, C., Romaniuk, H., Swift, W., Carlin, J. B., Hall, W. D., & Patton, G. C.
Affiliations
  • The University of Melbourne (AU)
  • Royal Children's Hospital (AU)
  • UNSW Sydney (AU)
  • The University of Queensland (AU)
Corresponding author
Degenhardt, Louisa
ORCID
Venue
Addiction
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2012-10-18
Volume
108
Issue
1
Pages
124-133
ISSN
  • 0965-2140 (ISSN-L)
  • 1360-0443
DOI
10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.04015.x
OpenAlex
W2111932815
Cited by
237
References
49
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 3
FWCI
13.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Addiction (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Keywords
adolescent cannabis use, cannabis use disorder, anxiety disorders, major depressive episode, common mental disorders, early adulthood, daily cannabis use, long-term mental health outcomes, causal relationship
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety Disorders, Marijuana Abuse, Major Depressive Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Major, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Marijuana Smoking, Young Adult

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