Diagnostic Criteria
Cannabis is categorized as a schedule I drug, meaning that it has a significantly high potential for abuse, while not having any proven medical benefit. Arguably, cannabis is proving to have several medical benefits, necessitating the need for rescheduling (Borchardt, 2017). Other drugs in this category include peyote and heroine. Patel and Marwaha (2020) contended that according to DSM IV criteria, the diagnostic criteria for cannabis was persistently used despite having physical, mental, and psychological impacts. However, the DSM 5 criteria describes the diagnostic criteria based on nine pathological patterns categorized into risky behavior, psychological adaptation, impaired control, and social impairment.
Evidence-Based Psychotherapy and Psychopharmacologic Treatment
The aim of treatment or management of the use of cannabis is done to improve an individual’s overall function. Psychotherapy is done to those suffering from high levels of intoxication or withdrawal by gradually reducing the dosages of cannabis administered to these individuals to a point where it is stopped altogether. Adopting this technique as opposed to abrupt stopping, is likely to reduce a person’s discomfort and reduce the risk of relapse. It is noteworthy that during this process, symptomatic treatment can be adopted to manage persistent symptoms.
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Presently, there is no definitive psychopharmacologic treatment for cannabis-related disorders. However, several studies are still under review. Findings from these studies reveal that pharmacologic detoxification effectiveness may have a risk of attrition bias. FDA is yet to approve any medication.
Observable Clinical features based on DSM-5 Criteria, as documented by Miller et al. (2017) are as follows:
Criterion 1 and 2: Loss of control of cannabis use.
Criterion 3: Compulsive use of the drug.
Criterion 4: Unconscious craving to use cannabis.
Criterion 5: Persistent use of the drug resulting in poor social functions at work or school.
Criterion 6: Persistent use even after developing social problems
Criterion 7: Further reduction in performance of important social function despite the potential negative consequences.
Criterion 8: Persistent use even in hazardous environments.
Criterion 9: Development of physical or psychological problems
Criterion 10: Increased development of drug tolerance
Criterion 11: Development of withdrawal symptoms
References
Borchardt, D. (2017). National Academy of Sciences pushes for rescheduling of marijuana. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/debraborchardt/2017/01/18/national-academy-of-sciences-suggests-removing-barriers-to-cannabis-research-basically-deschedule/#22269c753f76
Miller, N. S., Oberbarnscheidt, T., & Gold, M. S. (2017). Marijuana addictive disorders: DSM-5 substance-related disorders. Journal of Addiction Studies & Therapy , 11 , 2-8.
Patel J, Marwaha R. Cannabis Use Disorder. [Updated 2020 Jun 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538131/
Stahl, S. M. (2017). Amphetamine DL. Prescriber’s Guide: Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology.
