Daily use of high-potency cannabis is associated with an increased risk of admission and more intervention after first-episode psychosis

ABSTRACT FROM: Schoeler T, Petros N, Di Forti M, et al. Effects of continuation, frequency, and type of cannabis use on relapse in the first 2 years after onset of psychosis: an observational study. Lancet Psychiatry 2016;3:947–53. What is already known about this topic Cannabis is a well-established environmental risk factor for psychosis.1 More frequent users and those who start at a younger age are at greater risk2 and the mean age of onset of psychosis among cannabis users is about 3 years younger than among non-users.3 In Europe and North America, about a third of patients with first-episode psychosis report regular cannabis use and about one-half of those quit after diagnosis and treatment.4 Former cannabis users with psychosis have fewer positive symptoms5 and lower rates of relapse6 than continued users. Schoeler et al aimed to examine the...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Causes and risk factors Source Type: research