Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Inpatients Cannabis Dependents at Princess Mother National Institute on Drug Abuse Treatment

Abstract

Background : Marijuana has been known for thousand years. It’s a drug for entertainment. Marijuana would affect mind, body and society. A number of users have psychiatric disorders.

Objective : This study was the first to determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in cannabis dependents at Princess Mother National Institute on Drug Abuse Treatment (PMNIDAT) and determine the relationship between period, times, dosages of marijuana per day, sex, age, occupation and marital status and the prevalence of psychiatric disorders.

Method : The study was a retrospective descriptive study. Four hundred and twenty four inpatients medical records of cannabis dependence were collected during 2010 – 2016 (7 fiscal years). Questionnaires collecting demographic data and clinical characteristics developed by the author. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistic, chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test with the significant level at p = 0.05.

Results : Overall, The results revealed that 91.5% of cannabis dependents PMNIDAT inpatients had psychiatric disorders, among which were psychotic disorder 83.7%, anxiety disorder 64.9% and mood disorder 56.1%. Time period of using marijuana was significantly related the prevalence of mood disorder. Amount of marijuana used per day and occupation were related to the prevalence of psychotic disorder. Frequency of using marijuana per day was related to the prevalence of psychiatric disorder, psychotic disorder and anxiety disorder. Age is significantly connected to the prevalence of psychiatric disorder, psychotic disorder and moods disorder. Sex and marital status were not significantly related to the prevalence of psychiatric disorders.

Conclusion : Cannabis dependence has a greater chance of having psychiatric disorder (s) than a person who does not use marijuana. Factors associated with psychiatric disorder in marijuana dependents were age, occupation, time duration, dosages and frequency of using marijuana per day, Therefore, Implementing cannabis for medical use should be reviewed the pro and corns from all perspectives.