Psychological Disorders: Cannabis Dependence

American Description
A. Cannabis abuse: A destructive pattern of cannabis use, leading to significant social, occupational, or medical impairment.

B. Must have three (or more) of the following, occurring when the cannabis use was at its worst:
Cannabis tolerance:
Either need for markedly increased amounts of cannabis to achieve intoxication, or markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of cannabis.
Greater use of cannabis than intended:
Cannabis was often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended
Unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control cannabis use:
Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control cannabis use
Great deal of time spent in using cannabis, or recovering from hangovers
Cannabis caused reduction in social, occupational or recreational activities:
Important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced because of cannabis use.
Continued using cannabis despite knowing it caused significant problems:
Cannabis use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been worsened by cannabis

European Description
A cluster of physiological, behavioural, and cognitive phenomena in which the use of cannabinoid takes on a much higher priority for a given individual than other behaviours that once had greater value. A central descriptive characteristic of the dependence syndrome is the desire (often strong, sometimes overpowering) to take cannabinoid (which may or may not have been medically prescribed). There may be evidence that return to substance use after a period of abstinence leads to a more rapid reappearance of other features of the syndrome than occurs with nondependent individuals.

Diagnostic Guidelines
A definite diagnosis of dependence should usually be made only if three or more of the following have been experienced or exhibited at some time during the previous year:

(a) a strong desire or sense of compulsion to take cannabinoid;

(b) difficulties in controlling cannabinoid-taking behaviour in terms of its onset, termination, or levels of use;

(c) a physiological withdrawal state when cannabinoid use has ceased or been reduced, as evidenced by: the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for cannabinoid; or use of the same (or a closely related) substance with the intention of relieving or avoiding withdrawal symptoms;

(d) evidence of tolerance, such that increased doses of cannabinoid are required in order to achieve effects originally produced by lower doses;

(e) progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests because of cannabinoid use, increased amount of time necessary to obtain or take the substance or to recover from its effects;

(f) persisting with cannabinoid use despite clear evidence of overtly harmful consequences, such as depressive mood states consequent to periods of heavy substance use, or drug-related impairment of cognitive functioning; efforts should be made to determine that the user was actually, or could be expected to be, aware of the nature and extent of the harm.

Narrowing of the personal repertoire of patterns of cannabinoid use has also been described as a characteristic feature.

It is an essential characteristic of the dependence syndrome that either cannabinoid taking or a desire to take cannabinoid should be present; the subjective awareness of compulsion to use drugs is most commonly seen during attempts to stop or control substance use.