PSYCHIATRIC-SYMPTOMS IN MALE CANNABIS USERS NOT USING OTHER ILLICIT DRUGS

Aim. To assess the prevalence of DSM-III-R axes I and II disorders and the severity of psychiatric symptoms in cannabis users who did not us e other illicit drugs. Design. Cross-sectional psychiatric examination of subjects with different patterns of cannabis use: cannabis depende nce, abuse and occasional use. Participants. One hundred and thirty-th ree cannabis users identified through random urine testing of draftees to the Italian army and interviewed after 2-5 days of abstinence from drug use. Measurements. The subjects completed the Beck Depression In ventory, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Index and the 20-item rev ised Toronto Alexithymia Scale and were then interviewed with the Stru ctured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R. Findings. The prevalence of c o-morbid psychiatric disorders varied with the pattern of cannabis use : 83% of subjects with DSM-III-R cannabis dependence, 46% of those wit h DSM-III-R cannabis abuse and 29% of occasional users received at lea st one DSM-III-R psychiatric diagnosis. The severity of depressive, an xious and alexithymic symptoms increased progressively with the degree of involvement with cannabis. Conclusions. In this sample of young me n the risk of associated psychiatric disabilities varied with the patt ern of cannabis use. Chronic use of cannabis was associated with a hig h prevalence of co-morbid psychiatric disorders.