[A survey on trials focussing on the treatment of cannabis-dependence]. / Studienlage zur Behandlung der Cannabisabhängigkeit.

Epidemiological studies show that the prevalence of cannabis use in Germany is approaching that of countries known for their high consumption rate, such as Australia and some parts of the USA. In these countries, the resulting cannabis-related psychosocial damage has led to mainly psychotherapeutic treatment studies (conducted in the past ten years) that will be introduced here. According to these studies, the optimal treatment of cannabis-dependent adults would be a short intervention which consists of a combination of motivational-enhancement and cognitive-behavioural elements as well as individual case-counselling (c. f. "Marihuana Treatment Project"). In parallel to a clear consume-reduction over time, these interventions were associated with abstinence rates between 15 % and 22 % also in longer follow-ups (greater than 12 months). Additionally, an approximately 50 % reduction of cannabis-related problems was described. Without any specific treatment, however, abstinence rates were found to be only between 0 % and 9 %, also without any change in prominent social problems. A similar though less obvious trend occurred in a large multisite study regarding the specific treatment of young people, in which besides motivational and cognitive-behavioural also milieu and family therapeutic interventions were tested (c. f. "Cannabis Youth Treatment"). Unfortunately, there exists no controlled treatment study up to now that considered a relevant psychiatric co-morbidity, which usually accompany cannabis-dependence. Whether the interventions above can be recommended and implemented under German conditions should be further investigated, especially considering the growing number of cannabis-consumers seeking treatment.

Association between early onset of cigarette, alcohol and cannabis use and later drug use patterns: an analysis of a survey in European metropolises.

OBJECTIVES: The study presents data about age of onset of alcohol, cigarette and cannabis use and investigates the association between age of onset and later drug use patterns. METHODS: Using a sample from a cross-sectional multi-site study, personal interviews were conducted with 3,503 individuals aged 12-49 years. Last-month prevalence, age of onset and associations with subsequent use patterns were investigated. RESULTS: Having started with cannabis before the age of 16 years was associated with an odds ratio of 1.6 for heavy cannabis use. For males, the odds ratio of heavy cannabis use was 1.7, when cannabis was already initiated by the age of 16. Heavy use of ecstasy, amphetamines, hallucinogens and cocaine is associated with use of cigarettes before 13 (OR = 1.9). For males, the odds ratio was 2.2 and for women 1.9. CONCLUSIONS: Early use of alcohol, according to this data, does not seem to be related to subsequent heavy drug use. Early onset cannabis users show increasing probabilities of heavy use patterns. Preventive intervention programs have to start earlier than school-based programs normally do and specific developmental pathways need to be addressed.

[AWMF-guideline: disorders related to cannabis]. / AWMF-Leitlinie: Cannabis-bezogene Störungen.

Actually, guidelines for treatment of substance-related disorders were written under the overall control of the DG-Sucht e. V. and the DGPPN e. V. This appears within the framework of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaft (AWMF). The leading objective of these guidelines is the description of the current scientifically proven and evidence-based medicine in addiction to derive recommendations to therapy. In this context, the guideline for treatment of cannabis-related disorders is introduced.

The use of drugs within the techno party scene in European metropolitan cities.

In 1998, a total of 3,503 visitors of techno parties in Amsterdam, Berlin, Madrid, Prague, Rome, Vienna and Zurich were interviewed. With this data, a subtly differentiated portrait of the techno party visitor was drawn, especially with a view to his/her involvement in the scene and the use of psychotropic substances. First of all, the results show that the use of illegal substances such as cannabis, ecstasy, amphetamines and cocaine is relatively widespread in the examined techno party scenes. A central characteristic of the drug use could be described as the polydrug occasional user model characterised by the occasional use of diverse substances that are usually taken together. The significance of the findings is discussed with regard to the practice of drug prevention.