Is psychotic disorder associated with increased levels of craving for cannabis? An Experience Sampling study

Rebecca Kuepper*, M. Oorschot, I. Myin-Germeys, M. Smits, J. van Os, C. Henquet

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

ObjectiveAlthough cannabis use among individuals with psychotic disorder is considerable, little is known about patterns of use and factors contributing to continuation of use. Therefore, we investigated craving in relation to cannabis use in patients with psychotic disorder and healthy controls. MethodThe study included 58 patients with non-affective psychotic disorder and 63 healthy controls; all were frequent cannabis users. Craving was assessed with the Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS) for cannabis, as well as in daily life using the Experience Sampling Method (ESM). ResultsPatients scored higher on the OCDUS (B=1.18, P=0.022), but did not differ from controls in ESM indices of craving (all P>0.05). In daily life, ESM craving predicted cannabis use and this was stronger in controls ((2)=4.5, P=0.033; B-controls=0.08, P
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)448-456
JournalActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica
Volume128
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2013

Keywords

  • cannabis use
  • craving for cannabis
  • OCDUS
  • psychotic disorder
  • schizophrenia
  • experience sampling method

Cite this