Together with the University of Amsterdam the Trimbos Institute has set up the project Need for Weed. This examines how joint-smoking behaviour develops and which factors play a role in frequent cannabis use.
Although regular cannabis use is associated with more risks than incidental use, by no means do all (almost) daily users experience problems as a result of their habit.
In the collaborative project, Need for Weed the researchers monitor a large number of (almost) daily joint-smokers over a three-year period. They examine how joint-smoking behaviour develops and which factors play a part in frequent cannabis use as well as in changes in usage patterns.
Preliminary Results
A total of 600 young adults will continue to be monitored until March 2012. Preliminary results (after one and a half years) show considerable variation in the usage patterns of many of the users. Cannabis use remained stable in only a quarter of the group. Half of the group quit smoking joints for a period; two-thirds of these did not intend to quit for ever, but opted for a temporary break from cannabis (for instance during exam week or a busy period at work).
Although little difference was found in the extent of cannabis use between those who were addicted and those who were not, there was a difference between addicts and non-addicts in the prevalence of mental health problems. Non-addicts had the same level of mental health problems (with the exception of behavioural disorders) as the general population; addicts on the other had relatively more mental health problems.
Only a small percentage of those who are addicted to cannabis seek help from addiction care services - less than 3% in the Need for Weed project. In order to gain a better understanding of why cannabis users may or may not seek help, additional participants are to be interviewed in a sub-study via addiction care organisations.
More information: Peggy van der Pol
