Cannabis withdrawal in chronic cannabis users with schizophrenia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chronic users of cannabis often report withdrawal symptoms after abstinence from use, but little is known about cannabis withdrawal in people with schizophrenia.

Methods

Cannabis use patterns and withdrawal symptoms in adults with schizophrenia who had at least weekly cannabis use before attempting to quit without formal treatment were assessed with the Marijuana Quit Questionnaire (MJQQ), a 176-item, semi-structured questionnaire.

Results

120 participants, predominantly African-American (62.5%) and male (76.7%), met inclusion criteria. 20.1% reported that their first regular cannabis use (median age 15 years [range 8-48]) preceded their age at first psychotic symptoms (20 [4-50] years). Twenty (16.7%) participants met lifetime criteria for cannabis abuse;

SUBMITTER: Boggs DL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3591813 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature