Cannabis use, subsequent other illicit drug use and drug use disorders: A 16-year follow-up study among Swedish adults

Abstract

AimsTo examine the association between cannabis use and subsequent other illicit drug use and drug use disorders (harmful use and dependence). Design, Setting, ParticipantsWe used survey data from a population-based cohort in Stockholm County (collected 1998–2000), with linkage to the National Patient Register. The study base comprised participants aged 20–64 years (N = 10 345), followed-up until 2014. Cox and logistic regression analyses were conducted to test associations between self-reported cannabis use and risk of subsequent other illicit drug use (three-year follow-up) and drug use disorders (16-year follow-up). FindingsThe odds ratio (OR) for other illicit drug use onset at three-year follow-up for lifetime cannabis users was 7.00 (4.47–10.35, 95% CI) and for recent cannabis users 34.41 (19.14–61.88, 95% CI). Adjusting for age and AUDIT score attenuated the association, for lifetime users: OR = 5.48 (3.69–8.13, 95% CI) and OR = 5.65 (3.80–8.41, 95% CI), and for recent users: OR = 18.32 (9.88–33.99, 95% CI) and OR = 20.88 (11.19–38.95, 95% CI). For cannabis users only, the hazard ratio (HR) for drug use disorders at 16-year follow-up was 0.89 (0.31–2.61, 95%CI). For cannabis and other illicit drug users, the corresponding HR was 7.27 (3.85–13.75, 95% CI). ConclusionsThere was no independent association between cannabis use and subsequent drug use disorders. The association with subsequent drug use disorders was rather explained by other illicit drug use, which cannabis users were at higher risk of at the three-year follow-up.