YOUNG PEOPLE'S LONG TERM EFFECT CANNABIS USE

Young People's Long Term Effect Cannabis Use on Lives



Abstract

When excessive cannabis consumption occurs in adolescence, the adverse consequences extend into adulthood. Interventions by GPs are effective in preventing harm associated with alcohol use. Similar interventions have potential in addressing cannabis use. To develop and pilot test a brief intervention targeting excessive cannabis use (defined as =1×/week) in young people in primary care. The team collaborated with GPs and young people to develop the intervention. Seven GPs piloted its use in their consultations. Patients aged 15 to 24 years consulting for any health problem were recruited before the consultation. Cannabis use, other substance use, and their psychosocial correlates were assessed with a short confidential questionnaire administered before the consultation and 1 month later. GPs, staff, and patients were asked to comment on the study and its feasibility.

Of 81 young people invited to participate, 78 (70% female) agreed (participation rate: 96%). One in seven (13.2%, 95% confidence interval = 7.5% to 18.9%) used cannabis at least once a week. Data at 1 month were available for 42% who had provided email contact details and 91% of those who had provided their mobile phone number (63% overall). In most cases, the intervention lasted no more than 5 minutes. Comments from participants added favourable data towards the feasibility of the study. This pilot study provides a solid base on which to build a randomised trial of a brief intervention addressing cannabis use in young people consulting in family practice.

Table of Content

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION5

Overview5

Role Of Gps Excessive Cannabis Use In Young People7

Aim of the Study8

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW10

Overview10

Long Term Use12

Social Identity12

Education, Work, Income and Career14

Cannabis Use And Risk Of Psychosis15

Other Psychiatric And Cognitive Sequelae17

Health Effects Of Cannabis19

Acute Effects20

Reproductive Effects22

Chronic Effects24

Effects of Prenatal Cannabis Exposure28

Long-Term Effects On Physical Health29

Short- Term Effects Of Cannabis30

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY33

Method33

Piloting the intervention in the practices34

Participants34

Procedure35

CHAPTER 4: RESULTS38

Analysis38

Participants' comments on the study process40

CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION42

Summary42

Strengths and limitations42

Comparison with existing literature44

Implications for future research45

BIBLIOGRAPHY52

APPENDIX61

Parent/Legal Guardian Consent Form61

Confidentiality Statement And Consent Form62

INTERVIEW GUIDE64

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Overview

We are now living amongst a society where the use of drugs has become normalised. There are a range of drugs which can be potentially addictive some of which are licit/legal therefore accessible everywhere these include caffeine, tobacco, nicotine and alcohol. However, it is those which are considered harmful which are illicit/illegal and therefore are not accessible unproblematic, amongst these are cannabis along with other narcotic drugs such as opium, cocaine and ecstasy (Wood., Fiona, 1998). Most teenagers first attempt to experiment with licit drugs such as tobacco/nicotine which is where the addiction begins before progressing to illicit drugs for instance cannabis where the substance is mixed with tobacco and provides an equivalent experience to smoking tobacco only more effective. The drug cannabis derives from Marijuana (the Indian hemp plant) which is made up of a mixture of dried green/brown shredded leaves of 'cannabis sativa'. Cannabis comes in various different forms and is known by many names ...