Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Cannabis is one of the most widely used illicit substances in the world. There is a continuum of cannabis use from occasional or experimental use of the drug to compulsive use patterns. As the level of involvement with the drug progresses the risk of associated psychiatric disorder is likely to increase. In India, data about distribution of psychiatric comorbidity among cannabis users are very limited. Always an update is needed in this area to take a stock of the prevailing situation. To evaluate sociodemographic profile, problematic domains and withdrawal symptoms among persons abusing cannabis. And to estimate the distribution of psychiatric comorbidity among persons abusing cannabis. This study was conducted in the Institute of Mental Health, Madras Medical College, a tertiary care center of Tamilnadu. Subjects who use cannabis attending our outpatient department and also got admitted in Institute of Mental Health were included in this study. After obtaining the written consent from the participants as required by the international ethics committee the following questionnaire were given to all subjects Semi structured proforma, Marijuana problem scale The Cannabis withdrawal scale and MINI PLUS structured clinical interview. In our study we found those who presented with cannabis related problems are predominantly males, 77% unmarried, 70% belong to urban area, 96% belong to LSES, 64% employed. The mean age of onset of cannabis use was 18.36 years with a median of 17 years. 87% has family history of substance use disorder whereas history of mental illness present only in 13%. 68% used cannabis in adolescent period i.e less than 19 years. In our study we found that 27% of cannabis users were violence prone, 53% were impulsive, 32% has deviant behavior, 45% have drug using peers and 33% admitted drug availability in neighborhood. In our study we found that 27% of cannabis users were violence prone, 53% were impulsive, 32% has deviant behavior, 45% have drug using peers and 33% admitted drug availability in neighborhood. About withdrawal symptoms, the common symptoms we encountered were craving for cannabis, easy irritability, anger outbursts. Psychiatric comorbidity is a common occurrence in persons with cannabis dependence especially those seek treatment. Psychotic symptoms are the most common presentation presented in a tertiary care center. Cannabis withdrawal symptoms increase as the duration of cannabis use increase. Comorbid other substance use and family history of substance use are the commonest association with the persons who abuse cannabis. Adolescents who begin to use cannabis has poor psychosocial factors like high levels of impulsivity, drug using peer relationship drug availability in neighborhood, skipping at school or work than those begin to use cannabis in early adulthood.
How to cite this article:
S. Deepa, M. Ramkumar Vihram, P. Ramanujam and M. Venkat Lakshmi. Evaluation of Psychosocial Factors and Psychiatric Comorbidity Among Persons Abusing Cannabis.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.59218/makrjms.2024.2.184.189
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.59218/makrjms.2024.2.184.189