Department of Social Anthropology, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain.
Department of Quantitative Methods, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. 2023 Jun 1;18(1):31. doi: 10.1186/s13011-023-00540-3.
People who use cannabis daily or near-daily vary considerably in their daily dosage and use frequency, impacting both experienced effects and adverse consequences. This study identified heavy cannabis user groups according to consumption patterns and factors associated with class membership.
We conducted a cross-sectional study of 380 Spanish residents (61.8% male; average age = 30.3 years) who had used cannabis ≥ 3 days/week throughout the past year. Participants were recruited through chain referral and cannabis social clubs. We applied latent class analysis (LCA) to cluster participants according to use intensity. LCA indicators included frequency of weekly cannabis use, joints smoked each day, cannabis dosage, and if cannabis was consumed throughout the day or only at specific times. Associations between class membership and socio-demographics, use patterns, motives, supply sources, adverse outcomes, and use of other substances were measured using ANOVA and chi-squared tests. Multinomial regression identified the factors associated with latent class membership.
Three latent classes (moderately heavy: 21.8%, heavy: 68.2%, very heavy: 10%) had average weekly cannabis intakes of 2.4, 5.5, and 18.3 g, respectively. Very heavy users were older ([Formula: see text]=17.77, p < 0.01), less educated [Formula: see text]=36.80, p < 0.001), and had used cannabis for longer (F = 4.62, p = 0.01). CAST scores (F = 26.51, p < 0.001) increased across the classes. The prevalence of past-month alcohol use was lower among the heaviest users ([Formula: see text]=5.95, p = 0.05). Cannabis was usually obtained from a club by very heavy users ([Formula: see text]=20.95, p < 0.001).
People who use cannabis heavily present three groups according to frequency and quantity of cannabis consumption. Use intensity is associated with increased cannabis-related problems. Differences among heavy users must be considered in harm reduction interventions in cannabis clubs and indicated prevention.
每日或近乎每日使用大麻的人群在每日剂量和使用频率上存在显著差异，这既会影响到体验到的效果，也会影响到不良后果。本研究根据消费模式和与类别成员身份相关的因素，确定了重度大麻使用者群体。
我们对 380 名西班牙居民（61.8%为男性；平均年龄为 30.3 岁）进行了一项横断面研究，这些居民在过去一年中每周至少使用大麻 3 天。参与者通过连锁推荐和大麻社交俱乐部招募。我们应用潜在类别分析（LCA）根据使用强度对参与者进行聚类。LCA 指标包括每周使用大麻的频率、每天吸食的烟卷数量、大麻剂量，以及是否全天或仅在特定时间吸食大麻。使用方差分析和卡方检验测量类别成员身份与社会人口统计学、使用模式、动机、供应来源、不良后果和使用其他物质之间的关联。多变量回归确定与潜在类别成员身份相关的因素。
三个潜在类别（中度：21.8%、重度：68.2%、极重度：10%）的平均每周大麻摄入量分别为 2.4、5.5 和 18.3 克。极重度使用者年龄更大（[Formula: see text]=17.77，p<0.01），受教育程度更低（[Formula: see text]=36.80，p<0.001），使用大麻的时间更长（F=4.62，p=0.01）。CAST 评分（F=26.51，p<0.001）在各个类别中均有所增加。在最重度使用者中，过去一个月饮酒的患病率较低（[Formula: see text]=5.95，p=0.05）。极重度使用者通常从俱乐部获得大麻（[Formula: see text]=20.95，p<0.001）。
根据大麻使用的频率和数量，重度使用大麻的人群可分为三组。使用强度与增加的大麻相关问题相关。在大麻俱乐部和指示性预防的减少伤害干预措施中，必须考虑重度使用者之间的差异。
