Anxiety Can Be a Huge Cause for Cannabis Addiction
Researchers from Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC, research problematic cannabis users' threat profiles.
Sherika Hill, Ph.D. -- an adjunct faculty associate in the Duke University School of Medicine -- is the lead author of the study, and the findings were published at the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
The researchers aimed to change the focus to that of adults, exploring the risk factors.
Dr. Hill explains the motivation behind the new study, saying, "A lot of current policies and interventions in the US are directed at early adolescent users. We must start considering the way we will address problematic use that may come up at an increasing population of elderly users."
"Given that more nations might be moving towards legalization of cannabis," continues Dr. Hill, "for recreational and medicinal purposes, this study increases attention about that which we anticipate will be the fastest growing demographic of consumers -- adults."
Researching cannabis use patterns
To determine risk factors among this population, Dr. Hill and her staff examined the information available on 1,229 individuals taking part in the Great Smoky Mountains Study -- a prospective cohort analysis of western North Carolina residents.
They had been followed-up between 1993 and 2015, and they have been assessed every year between age 9 and 16, in addition to at ages 19, 21, 26, and 30.
Included in the analysis, the participants' mental health, education, work, and alcohol and drug intake were monitored.
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