Cannabis use and dependence among Australian adults: results from the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

FRANÇAIS :
Une enquête auprès des ménages (échantillon de 10641 adultes) a permis de recueillir des données concernant l'usage de cannabis et de diagnostiquer les troubles liés à cet usage (DSM-IV) : 2,2% présentent des troubles liés à l'usage de cannabis, dont 1,5% de dépendance et 0,7% d'abus. Les caractéristiques de l'usager dépendant sont : être âgé de 18 à 24 ans, être sans emploi et avoir un taux de comorbidité plus élevé que l'usager non-dépendant. En conclusion, les auteurs estiment que les troubles liés à l'usage de cannabis concernent approximativement 300 000 adultes australiens.
ENGLISH:
Aims. To examine: (i) the prevalence of cannabis use and DSM-IV cannabis dependence among Australian adults, and (ii) correlates of level of cannabis involvement. Design. Cross-sectional survey assessing substance use and DSM-IV substance use disorders (abuse and dependence). Setting and participants. A household survey of a nationally representative sample of 10 641 Australians aged 18 years and older. Measurements. Trained interviewers administered a structured, modified version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Findings. In the past 12 months, 2.2% (95%CI.-1.8, 2.6) of adults were diagnosed with DSM-IV cannabis use disorder, comprising cannabis dependence (1.5%; 95%CI.- 1.2, 1.8) and cannabis abuse (0.7%, 95%CI.- 0.6, 0.8). Almost one-third of cannabis users (31.7%; 95%CI: 27.7, 35.7) met criteria for cannabis dependence (21%; 95%CI.- 16.7, 25.3) and abuse (10.7% 95%CI.- 8.0, 13.4). Multinomial logistic regression revealed that compared to non-dependent cannabis users, non-users were more likely to be female, aged 25 +years, out of the labour force and married/de facto, and displayed lower levels of co-morbidity. In contrast, dependent cannabis users were more likely to be 18-24 years old, unemployed, and displayed higher levels of co-morbidity than non-dependent users. Conclusions. Cannabis use disorders affect approximately 300 000 Australian adults. A better understanding of the factors associated with cannabis dependence may help identify groups who have difficulties controlling use and aid the development of strategies for reducing cannabis-related harm. (Author' s abstract)