Cannabis Abuse Screening Test Research Articles

Psychometric properties of the cannabis abuse screening test (CAST) in a sample of Moroccans with cannabis use

BackgroundThe Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) is a widely used screening tool for identifying patterns of cannabis use that have negative health or social consequences for both the user and others involved. This brief screening instrument has been translated into multiple languages, and several studies examining its psychometric properties have been published. However, studies on the factorial validity and psychometric properties of a Moroccan version of the CAST are not yet available. The objective of this study is to validate the CAST, translated, and adapted to the Moroccan Arabic dialect among persons with cannabis use.MethodsA total of 370 participants from an addictology center in Fez City, were selected over two phases to form the study sample. First, in phase I, exploratory factor analysis was employed to evaluate the factor structure in the pilot sample (n1 = 150). Subsequently, in the second phase (Phase II), confirmatory factor analysis was utilized to confirm this structure in the validation sample (n2 = 220). All statistical analyses were carried out using the R program.ResultsThe CFA unveiled a three-factor structure that showed a good overall fit (χ2/df = 2.23, RMSEA = 0.07, SRMR = 0.02, CFI = 0.99, NFI = 0.98) and satisfactory local parameters (standardized factor loadings between 0.72 and 0.88). The model demonstrates satisfactory reliability and convergent validity, as evidenced by the acceptable values of composite reliability (CR) (0.76–0.88) and average variance extracted (AVE) (0.62–0.78), respectively. The square roots of the AVE exceeded the correlations of the factor pairs, and the heterotrait-monotrait (HTMT) ratio of the correlation values was below 0.85, indicating acceptable discriminant validity.ConclusionThe reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity tests all demonstrated that the Moroccan version of the CAST performed well and can be considered a valid tool for screening of problematic cannabis use.

Revealing the Unseen: Detecting Negative Symptoms in Students.

Background: The transnosographic nature of negative symptoms (NS) makes them fruitful for detecting psychiatric symptoms. The main objective of this study was to determine whether NS can be useful in screening for ultra-high risk of psychosis (UHR) or depressive symptoms in the no-help-seeking student population. The most prevalent NS and their relationship with cannabis use were also researched. Methods: From an online survey sent to students, 2128 filled out the Self-evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS), Prodromal Questionnaire 16 (PQ-16), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST). Results: 367 students (17.2%, 95% CI [15.6-18.9]) were considered to have UHR (PQ-16 distress score ≥ 9) and/or depression (BDI ≥ 16). The receiver operation characteristic curve showed that a threshold of 13 for the SNS score discriminated this subgroup of students with a sensitivity and specificity of 79.8% and 70.6%, respectively. The motivational dimension was overrepresented and linked to cannabis use. Conclusions: The early detection of NS in the no-help-seeking student population is relevant for detecting depressive and prodromal symptoms. This will enable early intervention to limit the progression to chronic mental disorders. The predominance of NS linked to the amotivational dimension was observed and related to cannabis use.

Country and sex measurement invariance of the Cannabis abuse screening test (CAST) in European Youth

BackgroundMonitoring the prevalence of problematic cannabis use is an important public health issue. International surveys need invariant measurement tools to allow reliable comparisons across countries and between sexes. The Cannabis abuse screening test (CAST) has been developed for this purpose. This study is the first assessing its country and sex invariance in a sample of European pupils. MethodsThe data come from the self-administered questionnaires completed in 2019 by pupils aged 15-16 in the European school survey project (Espad). The analytical sample was restricted to the 17 countries where at least 300 pupils reported a previous-year cannabis use (n = 8740); multigroup confirmatory factor analyses were used to assess the configural, metric and scalar invariance of the CAST toward country and sex in the 2019 Espad release. ResultsConfigural, metric and scalar invariance toward country hold for the 17 countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Italia, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. Scalar invariance toward sex was met in the 17 countries as a whole and in 11 of the 12 countries where the test could be run. Scalar invariance toward country was met with 6 additional countries comprising at least 250 respondents: Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands and Norway. ConclusionThe CAST is a suitable test for comparing the measurement of problematic cannabis use amongst adolescents in Europe.

The Kusa manga, a secondary prevention program for cannabis use in adolescence based on emotional regulation: Preliminary data

IntroductionFrance is one of the European countries with the highest prevalence of cannabis use, particularly in adolescence. Emotional regulation (ER) is one of the major risk factor in the etiology and the maintenance of cannabis use disorder and therefore is a key target for prevention programs. ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and the impact of a prevention program focusing on ER (especially on various emotional skills like awareness, emotional clarity and reactivity, ER strategies, and the level of emotional awareness) and on cannabis use among adolescents from various institutions. MethodIn total, 87 adolescents from various institutions were included. ER was assessed by the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Emotion Reactivity Scale and the Adolescent Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale; cannabis use was assess by the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST). All participants were assess before preventive intervention (T0) and four months after the end of the program (T1). ResultsBetween T0 and T1, for all participants, there was an increase of emotional awareness, a decrease of emotional sensitivity, intensity and persistence, and an increase of the level of emotional awareness (total, self and others). There was no significant difference between T0 and T1 in CAST scores. ConclusionsThe prevention program showed encouraging results with a vulnerable group of adolescents in institutional care, particularly those from the Child Social Care (Aide sociale à l’enfance) and Child Forensic Institution (Protection judiciaire de la jeunesse) by showing an effect on different components of ER but not directly on cannabis use.

Peer bullying victimization in adolescence is associated with substance use: cross-sectional findings from French high school students

The relationships between peer bullying victimization in adolescence and substance use have been poorly studied. Thus, we examined the associations between peer bullying victimization and tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use in 496 French high school students. Peer bullying victimization was measured with a 17-item standardized assessment and analyzed as quartiles. Tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use were assessed with the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) and the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST), respectively. Total scores at the HONC (0 to 10), AUDIT-C (0 to 12), and CAST (0 to 24) were used as dependent variables in generalized linear models, adjusting for sex, age, prepared graduation, last school marks and friends outside high school. Compared to the first quartile (i.e., the least bullied students), those from the second, third and fourth quartiles had significant increase of the AUDIT-C (B = 0.78 [95%CI 0.17–1.40] with p = 0.013; B = 0.86 [95%CI 0.26;1.46] with p = 0.005 and B = 1.00 [95%CI 0.38;1.62] with p = 0.002, respectively), with dose-dependent relationships (B = 0.33 ([95%CI 0.13; 0.52] with p = 0.001). Those from the fourth quartile had a significant increase of the CAST (B = 2.13[95%CI 1.25;3.01], p < 0.001). When examining the role of peer bullying victimization on the number of substances used, there were significant increased odds for students from the third and fourth quartiles, with dose-dependent relationships (OR = 1.24 [95% CI 1.07;1.44], p = 0.005). These findings encourage paying a particular attention to substance use in students who report being bullied. Consequently, information and prevention using standardized screening tools should be proposed. Conversely, substance use could be an indicator of peer bullying victimization and should thus be explored.

Association of self-reported use of cannabis for the purpose of improving physical, mental, and sleep health with problematic cannabis use risk

BackgroundLittle is known about health-focused cannabis use purposes and their associations with risk for problematic cannabis use. This cross-sectional study examined three broad cannabis use purposes and association with risk for problematic use among young adult cannabis users who report using for > 1 health reasons.MethodsYoung adults completed an electronic survey as part of an ongoing study on substance use and health. Those who self-reported past 6-month use of ≥ 1 cannabis products—smoking, vaping, dabbing, eating, and blunts—were included in the analysis. Their purposes for use were coded into three categories: sleep, mental, and physical health. Problematic cannabis use (PCU) was measured with the three-level structure Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST-3). Adjusted multivariable regression models were used to estimate use purposes associated with with problematic cannabis use at the p < 0.05 level.ResultsParticipants (n = 954) were mostly female (63.94%) and Hispanic (54.93%). Mental health was the most endorsed reason (73.38%) for use among study sample. Among participants, 36.3% were classified as being at severe risk (CAST-3 score ≥ 8). There was a significant association between PCU risk and reporting cannabis use for physical health (p < 0.01), mental health, and sleep health (p < 0.01) purposes. Those who used cannabis for physical heath purposes had about four times the risk (adjusted relative risk ratio (aRRR) = 4.38, 95% CI = 3.06–6.69), those who used for mental health had about three times the risk (aRRR = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.86–4.72), and those who used for sleep health had almost two times the risk (aRRR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.17–2.63) for severe PCU.ConclusionAll cannabis use purposes examined increased risk of problematic cannabis use. Physical health use purposes was associated with highest PCU risk. This study demonstrates the risk for cannabis use disorder associated with self-medicating with cannabis.

Changes in cannabis use in Spanish consumers during the COVID-19 lockdown according to gender, age, living situation and addiction level.

The objective was to analyze the changes in cannabis use during lockdown considering sex, age, living situation and level of addiction. This descriptive and non-probabilistic study used a convenience sample of 208 participants with ages between 18-57 years (64.3% men; mean age = 31.39 years), that reported consuming cannabis. The frequency of distinct typologies of cannabis use was analyzed and the level of addiction with the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST). An online survey was used to collect the variables under study. A total of 25% consumers increased their spliff (marijuana mixed with tobacco) consumption, 11.9% increased their joint (marijuana cigarette) consumption and 11.8% increased their hashish spliff consumption. Men had higher levels of cannabis addiction, however, during lockdown they reduced their marijuana spliff consumption while both men and women increased their joint consumption. Marijuana spliff consumption showed a greater increase in the 25-29 age group, in those living with people other than relatives or a partner, alone, or with a partner and was reduced mainly in those living with parents or other relatives. The living alone 18-24 years old group, and the living with parents 35-44 years old group showed higher levels of cannabis addiction (CAST). The rate of dependent consumers who increased their marijuana spliff consumption (49%) doubled compared to consumers with no addiction and moderate addiction. Regarding joints, consumption was 1.5 times higher than for moderate addiction consumers and three times higher than those with no addiction. The risk of cannabis addiction increased in certain groups during lockdown.

Cannabis use in adult population in Galicia: Prevalence and associated characteristics.

Cannabis is the most widely consumed illegal drug in Spain, with consumption concentrated mainly in adolescence and early adulthood. The objectives were to estimate the prevalence of cannabis use, cannabis use disorder (CUD) and dependent use in the Galician population aged 16 years and over, and to characterize cannabis users and cannabis dependent users. Data are from two cross-sectional studies from the Risk Behavior Information System conducted in 2017 (n = 7,841) and 2018 (n = 7,853). The Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) was used to identify users with CUD and/or dependent use. Prevalences were estimated and regression models were fitted to identify variables associated with cannabis use and dependent use. In 2017-2018, 2.7% (95% CI: 2.5-3.0) of the Galician population aged 16 years and over consumed cannabis at the time of the survey, with this prevalence being 9% in the 16-24 years age group. Prevalence decreased with age and was higher in males in all age groups. The prevalence of CUD in users was 69.5% (95% CI 61.1-78.1) and of dependent use it was 49.2% (95% CI 46.6-53.9). Tobacco use was the major determinant of being a cannabis user [OR = 19.8 (95% CI 13.8-28.4)] and daily cannabis use of being a dependent user [OR = 5.5 (95% CI 3.2-9.5)]. Cannabis use among the Galician population is high, especially among young people aged 16-24 years, who show the highest probability of dependent use. Prevention measures should be aimed especially at the younger population aged 16 years to curb its use and the development of consequences such as CUD and dependent use.

Cannabis use in Tunisian high school adolescents: MedSPAD 2021

IntroductionCannabis use is wrongly deemed “safe” by teenagers worldwide, despite its increased tetrahydrocannabinoids content and its psychosocial and cognitive harmful effectts.ObjectivesWe aimed to estimate the prevalence of cannabis use, identify associated factors among Tunisian adolescents and assess the risk of problem cannabis use among users.MethodsThe 2021-Mediterranean School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (MedSPAD) is a national survey, targeting Tunisian high school adolescents aged 16 to 18 years.Based on a self-administered questionnaire, adolescents were asked about their engagement in several risky behaviours including cannabis use. The 6-item Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) was intended for users to assess the risk of problem cannabis use.Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated to cannabis use and Adjusted Odds Ratios (AORs) were presented with correspondent 95% confidence intervals (CI). Cspro and STATA software were used for data entry and analysis respectively.ResultsAmong 6201 participants (girls: 60.4%), lifetime prevalence of cannabis use was 7.9% ,95% CI [7.0, 8.9] significantly higher among boys (16.1 % Vs. 2.5 % in girls, p&lt;10-4). Early onset (at 13 or younger) was reported by 8.6% of users.Multivariate analysis showed that cannabis use was more prevalent in Tunis district(p=0.04), and significantly associated to alcohol, tobacco and electronic-cigarettes use (AOR of 6.2, 4.2 and 2.6 respectively, p&lt;10-3). Absenteeism for non-medical reasons and nights spent away from home were also independent factors significantly associated with cannabis use (p&lt;10-3).The CAST indicated a high risk of cannabis-use-related problems in 67.2% of respondents (n=223).ConclusionsCannabis use is increasingly common in Tunisian adolescents. Moreover, the alarming risk of problem cannabis use warrant the urgent need for school-based interventions and screening programs to prevent and control cannabis use especially among vulnerable subgroups.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Cannabis use during first episode psychosis in Tunisia

IntroductionCannabis use is frequent among patients with psychotic disorders. However, the relationship between cannabis consumption and transition to psychosis has not been fully elucidated.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of cannabis use in first episode psychosis and its correlation with transistion to psychosis and severity of symptoms.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at the psychiatric department D of Razi hospital including 50 patients hospitalized for first episode psychosis. The evaluation focused on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. We used the cannabis abuse screening test (CAST) and positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS).ResultsThe sex ratio of our patients was 4 men per 1 woman. The mean age was 25.6±6.16 years. Two-thirds of the patients had secondary education (n=24). Half of them had no occupation (n=17). Twenty-five patients (71%) had no psychiatric history. The total PANSS score showed a mean of 58.29±12.90 with extremes between 35 and 91. About 60% of the patients used cannabis with high addiction risk in 81% of cases. The mean duration of cannabis use was 7,04 years, 3 times a week. Cannabis use was correlated to the gender. However, no correlation was found between cannabis use and duration of untreated psychosis niether the negative or positive symptoms.ConclusionsAlthough cannabis use is knownto accelerate transition to psychosis, it does not affect the severity of symptoms. Further work is necessary to identify the factors that underlie individual vulnerability to cannabinoid-related psychosis and to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying this risk.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Impulsivity and cannabis use disorder among tunisian sample

IntroductionIn the past few years, there has been a considerable amount of evidence that cannabis use can cause structural and functional brain abnormalities.Structural imaging studies of cannabis users have revealed reduced prefrontal cortex volumes and white matter damage that may be involved with impulsivity. Objectives: To Determine the level of dependence on cannabis among cannabis users consulting the detoxification center of Sfax, Tunisia To assess in addition the impact of cannabis on impulsivity and motor control.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study that was conducted over a period of 13 months between September 15, 2020 and October 1, 2021 among cannabis users consulting the detoxification center of Sfax, Tunisia.A short form of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (the BIS-15) and a Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) were used to assess impulsivity and to determine cannabis abuse. Results: Thirty Eight cannabis users agreed to participate in this study. The distribution of CAST scores showed that 36 users (94.7%) had problematic cannabis use at the time of the study. The mean BIS 15 score was 38.2. In our sample, The level of impulsivity was highest in people with a high level of cannabis dependence. A higher level of impulsivity was found in younger subjects. However, a greater level of impulsivity was found in subjects with a lower socio-economic level. Concerning employment status, unemployment was significantly correlated with a higher level of impulsivity.ConclusionsImpulsivity is often associated with a variety of problematic behaviors such as aggressive behavior, smoking, drug abuse, pathological gambling or compulsive buying.A higher frequency of cannabis use and earlier age of onset use have been shown to be associated with the highest rates of impulsivity.Therefore, cannabis addiction represents a real public health problem, both because of the serious complications and heavy repercussions that it causes.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Cannabis Use in Young and Adult University Students Before and During the COVID-19 Lockdown, According to Gender and Age.

The objectives were: (a) to establish cannabis use prevalence in university students; (b) to determine the changes in consumption of cannabis between prior to and during lockdown. Problematic consumption, gender, and age were taken into account to establish risk groups. Of 1,472 participants between 18-54 years (M = 27.51), 8.01% reported using cannabis before and/or during lockdown (56.6% male). The Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) was used to detect cannabis abuse. The main form of consumption was spliffs (89.9%). The mean of spliffs consumed per day decreased during lockdown, but was only significant in male and in the 18-24 group. This decrease was also significant for all three levels of CAST problematic use. Users with moderate addiction and dependence reduced their average number of spliffs consumed per day during lockdown to a greater extent than those without addiction. These findings establish target groups of prevention interventions in the university.

STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF CANNABIS USE ON PERCEPTUAL AND MEMORY PROCESSES AS WELL AS ON POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

Cannabis, as the most widely used illicit substance in the world, also remains among the most frequently used psychoactive substances by patients with schizophrenia. It is well known that cannabis use in schizophrenia patients favors relapse, resistance to antipsychotic treatments and therefore more frequent hospitalizations. However, many studies report considerable improvement in cognitive performance in substance users, while others show the opposite. Hence, the aim of our study is to examine the relationship between schizophrenia and cannabis use in clinical and socio-de- mographic aspects. This is a cross-sectional study of patients with schizophrenia hospitalized for relapse at the Ar-Razi psychiatric hospital in Salé, Morocco. A questionnaire was established in order to search for socio- demographic data, evolutionary and prognostic criteria of the disease. Cannabis use was assessed using the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST), for the severity of schizophrenia symptoms we used the Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and for perceptual and memory abilities we used the numerical version of the Rey's Complex Figure-A (RCF-A). It was found that in a sample of 115 schizophrenic patients, 47.82% (n=55) were cannabis users. The mean PANSS (negative) and (general psychopathology) scores of non-cannabis users were significantly higher than those of cannabis users with P values of (P&lt;0.001) and (P&lt;0.005) respectively. For the numerical assessment scores of the RCF-A, cannabis users had a significantly higher mean score than non-cannabis users (copy phase (P&lt;0.016) and memory (P&lt;0.001) As one of the leading risk factors for the emergence of schizophre- nia, chronic cannabis use also has a negative influence on the prognosis of patients already suffering from schizophrenia. Nevertheless, the results of our study show that cannabis-using schizophrenic patients had fewer negative symptoms according to the PANSS and an improved cognitive performance compared to non- cannabis-using patients.

COVID-19 lockdown related stress among young adults: The role of drug use disorder, neurotic health symptoms, and pathological smartphone use

ABSTRACT This study examined the roles of drug use disorder, neurotic health symptoms, and pathological smartphone use in COVID-19 lockdown–related stress. A sample of 288 young adults were purposively recruited. Data were collected using four standardized measures with robust psychometric properties: Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST), the Smartphone Addiction Scale, COVID Stress Scale, and a Neuroticism subscale of the Big Five Inventory. The participants’ ages ranged from 17 to 34 years, with a mean age of 24.09 (SD = 3.81) years. The hierarchical regression confirmed the hypotheses and results were consistent with expectations, F(3, 284) = 4.79, p < .05, such that 4.8% of the variance in COVID-19 lockdown stress was a result of the joint function of drug use disorder, neurotic health symptoms, and pathological smartphone use. Drug use disorder contributed to COVID-19 lockdown stress independently, whereas when merged with neuroticism, it did not predict outcome variable independently; the same was true for pathological smartphone use when entered into the third model. The preventive and control advocacy is a harm-reduction approach. Further empirical investigations of other predictors of COVID-19 lockdown stress, with a goal of initiating telebehavioral health interventions targeted at identifying and treating people with mental health needs—especially in times of global pandemic or movement restrictions—are recommended.

Does recreational cannabis legalization change cannabis use patterns? Evidence from secondary school students in Uruguay.

In 2013, Uruguay became the first country to legalize and regulate the production and distribution of cannabis for recreational use. We measured whether Uruguay's non-commercial model of recreational cannabis legalization was associated with changes in the prevalence of risky and frequent cannabis use among secondary school students. We used data from repeated cross-sectional surveys of secondary students in Uruguay and Chile (2007-2018). Using a difference-in-difference approach, we evaluated changes in the prevalence of past-year, past-month, any risky and frequent cannabis use following enactment (2014) and implementation (2016) of cannabis legalization among the full sample of secondary students and among students who reported past-year/month use. We examined changes separately for students ages 12 to 17, and students for whom cannabis became legally accessible, ages 18 to 21. Uruguay and Chile (2007-2018). Secondary school students in 8th, 10th and 12th grade (n = 204 730). Past-year and past-month cannabis use; any risky cannabis use measured with the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST); and frequent cannabis use (10+ days in the past-month). We found a decrease in past-year and past-month use following enactment or implementation. Among students ages 18 to 21, post-enactment, we observed a transitory increase in 2014 that decreased thereafter for: any risky use among those who reported past-year use (prevalence difference [PD] = 13.5%; 95% CI: 2.0, 24.9), frequent use in the full sample (PD = 4.5%; 95% CI: 1.0, 8.1), and frequent use among those who reported past-month use (PD = 16.8%; 95% CI: 1.9, 31.8). The legalization of recreational cannabis in Uruguay was not associated with overall increases in either past-year/past-month cannabis use or with multi-year changes in any risky and frequent cannabis use among young people.

Psychometric properties of CAST for early detection of problematic cannabis use in Spanish adolescents

The high prevalence rates of cannabis use in adolescents and its early onset constitutes a major public health problem, raising the need for its early detection. The availability of validated tools to analyze early cannabis use is essential to detect problematic use at an early age. The Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) (Legleye et al., 2007) is widely applied in Europe; however, the CAST cut-off scores vary according to the setting, the screening objective, and the correction version (CAST-f or CAST-b), creating therefore confusion in its application. Moreover, the psychometric properties of the CAST as a tool for detecting problematic cannabis use are understudied. To fill this gap, such psychometric properties have been analyzed in a sample of Spanish adolescents while using different cut-off scores for CAST-f and CAST-b. Based on our findings, the optimal cut-off scores are 2 points for CAST-b and 4 points for CAST-f. The internal reliability of CAST-f (α = 0.83) and CAST-b (KR-20 = 0.80) are satisfactory. Factorial analysis suggested the assumption of a one-dimension model. The CAST seems to be a valid and reliable tool for early screening of problematic cannabis use in Spanish adolescents.

Cannabis and schizophrenia: characterisation of a risk factor in a sample of Moroccan patients hospitalised for psychosis

BackgroundIn addition to the biological plausibility widely described through a very large number of studies, the causal link between cannabis uses and schizophrenia disorders has become illicit internationally and given the scarcity of similar studies in Morocco. Our study consists of a prospective descriptive study in the psychiatric department of the Moulay ben Abdallah Hospital in Essaouira. The sample consisted of 95 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the DSM5 criteria. The diagnostic assessment included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale to assess the severity of positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia as well as the patient’s general psychopathology, the Clinician-Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity to assess the symptom severity of the psychotic dimensions according, and the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test to assess the extent of cannabis use.ResultsThe mean age of the patients recruited in the study was 33.7 ± 9.37 years with a clear male predominance (p < 0.0001). Cannabis users compared to non-users were younger and comprised only men. Cannabis users also have a lower educational and economic level than non-users. Furthermore, a clear dose effect of cannabis uses on the onset of positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The temporality criterion is clear in our study, since the predictivity of the parameter: “age of onset of cannabis use” is highly significant (p = 0.000). These results suggest that cannabis use can be considered as the most illicit risk factor for the development and/or onset of schizophrenia.ConclusionsThese results suggest that there is a causal relationship between cannabis use and/or dependence (problematic use) and the onset and/or worsening of schizophrenic disorder. This means that problematic cannabis use can be considered as a real risk factor for the emergence and development of schizophrenic disorder.

Sleep, substance misuse and addictions: a nationwide observational survey on smoking, alcohol, cannabis and sleep in 12,637 adults.

For a good night's sleep, we consensually recommend avoiding alcohol, smoking and drugs. However, these addictions are highly prevalent in the general population, and it is difficult to estimate their real impact on sleep. The aim of this study is to clarify the association between sleep habits and disorders, and addictions. The design was a telephone crossover national recurrent health poll survey (Santé publique France, Baromètre santé, 2017; Questionnaire, pp. 53; Saint Maurice) in a representative sample of French adults. There were 12,367 subjects (18-75years old) who answered the survey. Sleep log items assessed sleep schedules (total sleep time) on work and leisure days: at night, while napping, and over 24hr using a sleep log. Retained items include: (1) short sleep (≤ 6hr/24hr); (2) chronic insomnia (International Classification of Sleep Disorders, 3rd edition criteria); and (3) chronotype (evening-morning-neutral). Psychoactive substances retained included tobacco (current or former users), alcohol (daily consumption and weekly binge drinking), cannabis (Cannabis Abuse Screening Test), and other drugs (consumption during the past year). We found that: (1) daily smokers (lightly or heavily dependent) were more frequently short sleepers than occasional smokers and non-smokers; (2) heavily dependent daily smokers were more likely to suffer from insomnia than other smokers or non-smokers; (3) short sleep and insomnia were not significantly associated with the consumption of alcohol, cannabis or any other drug; (4) the evening chronotype was significantly associated with the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis. In conclusion, our study highlights significant relationships between the use of psychoactive substances and sleep characteristics among adults, emphasizing the need to take into account each subject individually.

Analysis of the relationship between school bullying, cyberbullying, and substance use

The use of alcohol and other substances among underage adolescents continues to cause social concern nowadays, but it is not the only challenge that professionals face while working with this population. School bullying and cyberbullying remain another main issue affecting the well-being and development of the students. The main objective of the present study was to analyse the possible relationship between both school bullying and cyberbullying with substance use. A selective methodology was used, administering a survey among students from state funded Secondary schools in the Autonomous Community of Galicia (Spain), and obtaining a sample of 3,173 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. The questionnaire included items referring to the consumption of several substances, specific screening scales for the evaluation of risky consumption (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Cannabis Abuse Screening Test and CRAFFT Abuse Screening Test) and validated multi-item scales to assess school bullying and cyberbullying involvement (European Bullying Intervention Project Questionnaire and European Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire). The results showed that the most consumed substances were alcohol, tobacco and cannabis, finding also high risky consumption rates. Adolescents involved in either school bullying or cyberbullying in any role (victims, perpetrators and bully-victims) presented significantly higher rates in the consumption habits and risky consumptions analysed. These results highlight the need for a comprehensive prevention approach that addresses both school bullying, cyberbullying, and addictions at the same time.

A cross-sectional study of substance use in patients with schizophrenia hospitalized for relapse at the Ar-Razi Psychiatric Hospital in Salé, CHU Ibn Sina Rabat, Morocco.

Introductionsubstance use disorders are becoming increasingly common among schizophrenic patients and often raise problems in their care. This work aims to assess the rate and level of substance use in schizophrenic patients hospitalized for relapse and to identify factors associated with this comorbidity.Methodswe conducted a cross-sectional study of 115 patients with schizophrenia selected by convenience sampling in the Psychiatric Hospital of Salé. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data, evolutionary and prognostic criteria of the disease. Tobacco use was assessed with the fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND), cannabis use was assessed with the cannabis abuse screening test (CAST) and alcohol use was assessed with the alcohol use disorders test (AUDIT).Resultsthe results showed that tobacco was the most consumed substance, followed by cannabis and alcohol. Certain factors such as gender (P<0.016) and family smoking history (P<0.045) were significantly associated with the scale (FTND). Other factors such as social life (P<0.05) and the educational level (P<0.004) showed a significant association with CAST. Only a history of suicide attempts was significantly associated with the scale (AUDIT).Conclusionthe results confirm that the majority of schizophrenic subjects are psychoactive substance users and that a good number of them are dependent on substances. Early outpatient follow-up in specialized drug treatment centers could improve the health status of these patients.