Time Trends of Cannabis Use Among Treatment-seeking Individuals at Government De-addiction Centers Across India Over a Period of 7 Years

Abstract

Background: Cannabis continues to be the most commonly used illicit psychoactive substance globally. The National Survey in India conducted in the year 2004 also reported it to be the most commonly used illicit substance in the country. Furthermore, it was reported to be the second most commonly used psychoactive substance by the treatment seekers at de-addiction centers in the country.

Objectives: To assess time trends of cannabis use among treatment-seeking individuals at government de-addiction centers across India over a period of 7 years.

Materials and methods: The study utilized data collected through Drug Abuse Monitoring System across India. The data of treatment seekers from de-addiction centers established under the Drug De-addiction Program, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India (122 in number) across the country were analyzed.

Results: A total of 107,469 individuals sought treatment from government de-addiction centers over the 7 years (2007-2013) period. With the exception of an aberration for the year 2012, there has been a steady decline in the proportion of treatment seekers who are not current cannabis users. A significantly greater proportion (Chi-square: 586.30, df: 1, P < 0.001) of individuals with current cannabis use alone or along with tobacco (20.4%) tend to have a co-morbid psychiatric disorder as compared to treatment seekers with current use of substances other than cannabis (6.1%).

Conclusions: It is important to focus on cannabis in clinical service delivery and research in the country.

Keywords: Cannabis; comorbid disorders; dual disorders; psychiatric disorders; treatment seeking.

Figure 1

Component bar chart demonstrating the distribution of treatment seekers across India for different groups: Only cannabis along with tobacco (OC); cannabis along with other substance (C + OD) excluding tobacco; substances other than cannabis including tobacco (OTC), for various characteristics gender (a), age (b), marital status (c), education (d), employment (e), and living arrangement (f)