title: Cannabis use patterns and their association with DSM-IV cannabis dependence and gender.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the gender differences in the patterns of cannabis use (CU), namely frequency, times of day, social context and methods and in their association with DSM-IV cannabis dependence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 3,904 students from German universities was recruited via an internet survey. Logistic regressions and associated areas under the ROC curve (AUC) were calculated among current cannabis users (at least once a month, n = 843).
  
  
  RESULTS
  CU using a water pipe was more often reported by males (50 vs. 34.6%). Usual CU 'before going to sleep at night' was more often reported by females (47.3 vs. 35.7%). Most CU patterns showed a similar association with DSM-IV cannabis dependence in both genders. The association of CU 'with strangers' was stronger in females (AUC 0.68 vs. AUC 0.56). Slightly different multiple models were found (females AUC 0.86, males AUC 0.77).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are considerable gender differences in the CU patterns and, thus, in the way CU functions. In the association of CU patterns with cannabis dependence, the similarities are rather great. Examining the CU patterns might make a considerable contribution to the better detection of high-risk population segments for prevention and early intervention in both genders.
authors: University Hospital for Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. noack@psychologie.tu-dresden.de
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Noack
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Höfler
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Lueken
mesh_terms: D002188:Cannabis; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D055030:Drug Users / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*