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Aim. To investigate the characteristics and patterns of cannabis and other drug use among long-term cannabis users in an Australian rural area . Design. Cross-sectional survey of a "snowball" sample of long-term cannabis users . Setting. The North Coast of New South Wales is an area with high levels of cannabis cultivation and use, and many long-term users . Participants. The study involved 268 long-term cannabis users who had regularly used cannabis for at least 10 years . Measurements. A structured interview schedule obtained information on: demographics, social circumstances, patterns of cannabis and other drug use, contexts of use, perceptions about cannabis and legal involvement. Findings. The mean age of the sample was 36 years and 59% were male. The median length of regular cannabis use was 19 years. Most (94%) used two or more times a week and 60% used daily, with a median of two joints per day. Two-thirds (67%) used cannabis in social settings and two-thirds grew cannabis for their own use. The most common reasons for using cannabis were for relaxation or relief of tension (61%) and enjoyment or to feel good (27%). The most commonly reported negative effects were feelings of anxiety, paranoia, or depression (21%), tiredness, lack of motivation and low energy (21%) and effects of smoke on the respiratory system (18%). The majority drank alcohol (79%) and over one-third were drinking at hazardous levels. Most were current (64%) or ex-tobacco smokers (24%). One-quarter (25%) had been charged with possession of cannabis, 11% for cultivation and 6% for supply, with non-drug offences low (8% or less). Overall, three-quarters (72%) believed that the benefits of cannabis use outweighed the risks, 21% felt there was an even balance, and 7% said cannabis had done them more harm than good. Conclusions. Among long-term cannabis users in this Australian rural area, cannabis use was an integral part of everyday life and it was primarily used in social situations for the same reasons that alcohol use is used in the wider community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines a study presenting an approach based on alcohol brief intervention strategies to intervene with at-risk drinkers in licensed premises. Participants used in the study; Method in which the study was conducted; Examination of the results; Discussion based on the findings.

Aim. To examine prevalence and correlates of cannabis dependence among long-term cannabis users. Design. A cross-sectional survey of patterns and experiences of cannabis use and dependence. Setting and participants. A snowball sample of 243 long-term cannabis smokers, who were currently smoking 3-4 times a week, were recruited from the New South Wales North Coast, an area long associated with cannabis cultivation and use. Measurements. A structured interview was administered, incorporating the following dependence measures: an approximation to a life-time DSM-III-R diagnosis, an approximation to a 12-month ICD-10 diagnosis, and the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS). Findings. Prevalence of a life-time DSM-III-R diagnosis of cannabis dependence was 57%, while 57% received an ICD-10 dependence diagnosis for the last year. Substantially fewer (15%) of the sample were diagnosed as dependent according to the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS). Only 26% believed they had a problem with cannabis at least sometimes. There was general concordance between DSM-III-R and ICD-10 measures, but not between these and the SDS. ICD-10 and DSM-III-R dependence diagnoses were modestly correlated with age, life-time illicit drug use and quantity of cannabis use. Principal components analyses of the dependence measures provided little evidence for a unidimensional dependence syndrome for ICD-10 and DSM-III-R criteria. There was strong support for unidimensionality of the SDS. Conclusions. Symptoms of cannabis dependence were common among these long-term users but only one-quarter perceived that they had a cannabis problem. There was no strong evidence for a unidimensional cannabis dependence syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]