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Daily cannabis use more common among people with psychological distress
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In 2016, past-month daily cannabis use was about three times higher among individuals with serious psychological distress than among those without, according to study findings.
"With the rapid legalization of medicinal and recreational use of cannabis in the U.S. and liberalization of social norms, more research is needed to understand the impact of these changes on vulnerable groups," Renee Goodwin, PhD, of CUNY School of Public Health and Columbia University, said in a press release. "A better understanding of whether some subgroups need tailored clinical efforts to reduce (daily and/or heavy) cannabis use, especially among those with [serious psychological distress], will also provide a clearer picture of what is needed next."
Using data from the 2008 to 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, researchers examined the prevalence of daily cannabis use among U.S. adults (n=356,413) with and without serious psychological distress, as measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale in 2016, and examined trends in daily cannabis use by past-month psychological distress status from 2008 to 2016.
Over the study period, analysis revealed that the percentage of U.S. adults who reported past-month serious psychological distress rose from 4.78% in 2008 to 5.55% in 2016, with a significant linear trend after adjusting for confounders (adjusted OR=1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03).
Goodwin and colleagues also found that the prevalence of daily cannabis use was significantly higher among persons with past-month serious psychological distress (8.07%) vs. those without (2.66%) in 2016. People with past-month psychological distress were more than twice as likely to report daily cannabis use compared to those without (aOR=2.38; 95% CI,1.89-3.01).
Across all demographic subgroups, serious psychological distress was linked to a significantly greater risk for daily cannabis use (OR range = 1.44-3.14) except for among non-Hispanic black respondents, according to the results. The researchers also found that the link between past-month serious psychological distress and daily cannabis use was stronger for white respondents (aOR=2.68; 95% CI, 2.02-3.55) than black respondents (aOR=1.44; 95% CI, 0.87-2.4).
Analysis indicated significant increases in the prevalence of past-month daily cannabis use among both adults with and without past-month psychological distress from 2008 to 2016; however, the prevalence was significantly higher among those with distress in every year of the study period.
"Our research found that persons with [serious psychological distress] reported higher daily cannabis prevalence each study year. Therefore, it is important to consider potential consequences of this increased use for those with mental health vulnerabilities,” Goodwin said in the press release. – by Savannah Demko
Disclosure: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.