Profiles of individuals with cannabis-related disorders

Abstract

Background: Profiles of individuals with cannabis-related disorders (CRD) in specialized addiction treatment centers serving high-need patients have not been identified. This longitudinal study developed a typology for 9,836 individuals with CRD attending Quebec (Canada) addiction treatment centers in 2012–2013. Methods: Data on sociodemographic, clinical and service use variables were extracted from several databases for the years 1996–1997 to 2014–2015. Individual profiles were produced using Latent Class Analysis and compared predicting health outcomes on emergency department (ED) use, hospitalizations and suicidal behaviors for 2015–2016. Results: Six profiles were identified: 1-Older individuals, many living in couples and working, with moderate health problems, receiving intensive general practitioner (GP) care and high continuity of physician care; 2-Older individuals with chronic CRD, multiple social and health problems, and low health service use (chronic CRD referred to experiencing CRD for several years; social problems related to homelessness, unemployment, having criminal records or living alone); 3-Students with few social and health problems, and low health service use; 4-Young adults, many working, with few health problems, least health service use and continuity of physician care; 5-Youth, many working but some criminal offenders, with 1 or 2 years of CRD, few health problems and high addiction treatment center use; and 6-Older individuals with chronic CRD and multiple social and health problems, high health service use and continuity of physician care. Profiles 6 and 2 had the worst health outcomes. Conclusions: For Profiles 2 to 5, outreach and motivational services should be prioritized, integrated health and criminal justice services for profile 5 and, for Profiles 2 and 6, assertive community treatments. Screening, brief intervention and referrals to addiction treatment centers may also be encouraged for individuals with CRD, particularly those in Profile 2. This cohort had high social and health needs relative to services received, suggesting continued need for care.

Keywords:

• Cannabis-related disorders
• typology
• profiles
• Latent Class Analysis
• health outcomes

Authors’ contributions

MJF and CH designed the overall research project and were responsible for data collection. MJF and CH designed the analytical plan for the article. ZC produced the quantitative analyses and tables. MJF, GG and ZC wrote the article, and CH revised the final version. All authors approved the last version of the article.

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Substance Use and Addiction Program of Health Canada, the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services (Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, MSSS), the University Institute on Addictions (Institut universitaire sur les dépendances, IUD), and the Quebec Network on Suicide, Mood Disorders and Associated Disorders. We would also like to thank the Quebec addiction treatment centers for their participation in this study, and Judith Sabetti for editorial assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Substance Use and Addiction Program of Health Canada and the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services (Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, MSSS). It also received a financial contribution from the Quebec Network on Suicide, Mood Disorders and Associated Disorders. The funding organizations had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.