Abstract
The objective of this study is to examine the factors associated with severe addiction in cannabis users who are undergoing treatment at the national center for the integrated care of addictions in Dakar. A retrospective, descriptive and analytical study was conducted at the national center for the integrated care of addictions in Dakar. The study period was from 2015 to 2018. Patients were being treated for cannabis addiction. Data entry was done using Epi info7 software while analysis was done using SPSS version 22. A total of 273 patients were enrolled in our study. Factors associated with severe cannabis addiction were: being over 20 years of age with an ORaj=6.1 [2.4-15.6], being of Senegalese nationality with an ORaj=4.3 [1.1-17.9], having more than one child with an ORaj=3.8 [1.1-14.1], consuming cannabis 2 to 3 times a week or more with an ORaj=32.1 [3.9-100] and starting age of consumption less than or equal to 15 years with an ORaj=4.5 [1.8-11.8]. Factors associated with psychiatric disorders were: having an address other than Dakar center with an ORaj=2.8 [1.2-6.6], having an addiction problem in the family with an ORaj=3.9 [1.5-10.7], lack of professional activity with an ORaj=3, 6 [1.5-8.7], being treated by a specialist in addictology with an OR aj=5.1 [1.5-17.8] and finally having a history of psychiatric hospitalization with an OR aj=55.9 [19.6-158]. The factors associated with the severe addiction and psychiatric disorders found in this study should push health authorities to reflect on a new strategy to fight this pandemic that is cannabis use. The use of the media for mass and parental awareness is essential.
Highlights
Addiction is defined in the Diagnosis Statistical Manual 5 (DSM-5) as increased tolerance, compulsive use, loss of control and continued use despite physical and psychological problems caused or exacerbated by the substance
Factors Associated with Severe Cannabis Addiction Factors associated with severe cannabis addiction were: being over 20 years of age with an ORaj=6.1 [2.4-15.6], having more than 1 child with an ORaj=3.8 [1.1-14.1], having a frequency of use greater than or equal to 2-3 times a week with an ORaj=32.1 [3.9-100] and having an age of first use less than or equal to 15 years with an ORaj=4.5 [1.8-11.8] (Table 5)
Factors Associated with Psychiatric Disorders Factors associated with psychiatric disorders were: having an address other than Dakar center with an ORaj 2,8 [1,2,3,4,5,6,6], having an addiction problem amongst siblings with an ORaj 3,9 [1,5,6,7,8,9,10,7], lack of professional activity with an ORaj 3, 6 [1.5-8.7], having a history of addiction management with an ORaj 5.1 [1.5-17.8] and having a history of psychiatric hospitalization with an ORaj 55.9 [19.6-158] (Table 6)
Summary
Addiction is defined in the Diagnosis Statistical Manual 5 (DSM-5) as increased tolerance, compulsive use, loss of control and continued use despite physical and psychological problems caused or exacerbated by the substance. This addiction can lead to psychiatric disorders, which result in changes in a person's thinking, mood or behaviour [1]. In 2014, cannabis was the most used drug (excluding alcohol) by drug addicts in Senegal with 95.2% of people in treatment but decreasing to 91% in 2016 and 89% in 2017. A total of 53 patients (19.4%) had addiction problems amongst their siblings. 94.1% of the patients had been incarcerated while addicted to cannabis. The majority of patients (77.3%) had never had addiction management
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