Abstract
Withdrawal symptoms following cessation of heavy cannabis (marijuana) use have been reported, yet their time course and clinical importance have not been established. A 50-day outpatient study assessed 18 marijuana users during a 5-day smoking-as-usual phase followed by a 45-day abstinence phase. Parallel assessment of 12 ex-users was obtained. A withdrawal pattern was observed for aggression, anger, anxiety, decreased appetite, decreased body weight, irritability, restlessness, shakiness, sleep problems, and stomach pain. Onset typically occurred between Days 1-3, peak effects between Days 2-6, and most effects lasted 4-14 days. The magnitude and time course of these effects appeared comparable to tobacco and other withdrawal syndromes. These effects likely contribute to the development of dependence and difficulty stopping use. Criteria for cannabis withdrawal are proposed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 393-402 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of Abnormal Psychology |
| Volume | 112 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 2003 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Psychology
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
- Psychology(all)
Cite this
The time course and significance of cannabis withdrawal. / Budney, Alan J.; Moore, Brent A.; Vandrey, Ryan G; Hughes, John R.
In: Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Vol. 112, No. 3, 08.2003, p. 393-402.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The time course and significance of cannabis withdrawal
AU - Budney, Alan J.
AU - Moore, Brent A.
AU - Vandrey, Ryan G
AU - Hughes, John R.
PY - 2003/8
Y1 - 2003/8
N2 - Withdrawal symptoms following cessation of heavy cannabis (marijuana) use have been reported, yet their time course and clinical importance have not been established. A 50-day outpatient study assessed 18 marijuana users during a 5-day smoking-as-usual phase followed by a 45-day abstinence phase. Parallel assessment of 12 ex-users was obtained. A withdrawal pattern was observed for aggression, anger, anxiety, decreased appetite, decreased body weight, irritability, restlessness, shakiness, sleep problems, and stomach pain. Onset typically occurred between Days 1-3, peak effects between Days 2-6, and most effects lasted 4-14 days. The magnitude and time course of these effects appeared comparable to tobacco and other withdrawal syndromes. These effects likely contribute to the development of dependence and difficulty stopping use. Criteria for cannabis withdrawal are proposed.
AB - Withdrawal symptoms following cessation of heavy cannabis (marijuana) use have been reported, yet their time course and clinical importance have not been established. A 50-day outpatient study assessed 18 marijuana users during a 5-day smoking-as-usual phase followed by a 45-day abstinence phase. Parallel assessment of 12 ex-users was obtained. A withdrawal pattern was observed for aggression, anger, anxiety, decreased appetite, decreased body weight, irritability, restlessness, shakiness, sleep problems, and stomach pain. Onset typically occurred between Days 1-3, peak effects between Days 2-6, and most effects lasted 4-14 days. The magnitude and time course of these effects appeared comparable to tobacco and other withdrawal syndromes. These effects likely contribute to the development of dependence and difficulty stopping use. Criteria for cannabis withdrawal are proposed.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0043072749&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0043072749&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1037/0021-843X.112.3.393
DO - 10.1037/0021-843X.112.3.393
M3 - Article
C2 - 12943018
AN - SCOPUS:0043072749
VL - 112
SP - 393
EP - 402
JO - Journal of Abnormal Psychology
JF - Journal of Abnormal Psychology
SN - 0021-843X
IS - 3
ER -