Cannabis Use among People Entering Drug Treatment in Europe: A Growing Phenomenon?

Abstract

This paper explores European and national trends in specialised drug treatment entry for cannabis-related problems. The analysis is based on data for the years 2003-2014 from 22 European countries. Between 2003 and 2014, the overall number and proportion of primary cannabis-related first-time entrants increased significantly. A joinpoint regression analysis indicates that the overall increase of cannabis treatment entries is continuous, although country-related differences are observed. Possible explanations for the increase and different time trends are discussed including an increase in cannabis prevalence and cannabis-related problems, changes in risk perception, increases in cannabis potency, changes in referral practices and increased availability and accessibility of treatment services.

Perceptual Styles and Cannabis Consumption Prediction in Young People

“…The fact that young people in the "lax" perception group source information more from friends, people who have been in contact with drugs, and internet, whereas those in the "strict" perception group make significantly less use of those sources (turning to parents rather than friends, for example), tells us that a hefty 20% of our young people receive information via channels which probably confirm their "lax" perception of cannabis as a harmless drug and, in turn, are likely to become impervious to information from the mass media, talks in schools and colleges, etc. This concurs with Montanari et al [14], who affirmed that perception of cannabis-related risks influences requests for help. The challenge this study poses, therefore, is the need to take preventive action very early, not only transmitting information but also implementing initiatives which, taking into account the variables that influence early contact with cannabis, encourage people to heed such preventive instructions in real situations of risk [43].…”

“…In Europe, the figure stands at almost 20% [3]. Although knowledge of drugs and other health risks does not in itself predict preventive behavior or the avoidance of high-risk activity, we now know that risk perception regarding a substance-defined as "perception of the negative effects of drug consumption" [13] (p. 39)-deeply influences people's decisions about taking drugs and seeking help [14]. The risk levels of different drugs, as perceived by young people, influence their consumption: the riskier the consumption of a particular drug is seen to be, the less it is consumed, and vice versa [15][16][17].…”

Heavy cannabis use, dependence and the brain: a clinical perspective

“…Cannabis has become the primary reason for first‐time treatment entry across all illicit drugs world‐wide , with a 75% increase in Europe over the past 10 years . Possible explanations for this rise in treatment demands include increasing CUD prevalence, changes in risk perception, increasing cannabis potency, changes in referral practices and increasing availability and accessibility of treatment services . In Europe, 5–10% of daily and near‐daily users are currently in out‐patient treatment—indicating a large treatment gap .…”

Effects of increasing cannabis potency on adolescent health

“…European countries providing eligible data 5 . While the explanation for this is unclear, it may be due to factors such as greater detection rates, improved pathways for referral, and changes in stigma towards mental health and treatment.…”