title: Is psychotic disorder associated with increased levels of craving for cannabis? An Experience Sampling study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although cannabis use among individuals with psychotic disorder is considerable, little is known about patterns of use and factors contributing to continuation of use. Therefore, we investigated craving in relation to cannabis use in patients with psychotic disorder and healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 58 patients with non-affective psychotic disorder and 63 healthy controls; all were frequent cannabis users. Craving was assessed with the Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS) for cannabis, as well as in daily life using the Experience Sampling Method (ESM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients scored higher on the OCDUS (B = 1.18, P = 0.022), but did not differ from controls in ESM indices of craving (all P > 0.05). In daily life, ESM craving predicted cannabis use and this was stronger in controls (χ(2) = 4.5, P = 0.033; Bcontrols = 0.08, P < 0.001; Bpatients = 0.06, P < 0.001). In both groups ESM craving was predicted by negative affect, paranoia, and hallucinations (Bnegativeaffect = 0.12, P = 0.009; Bparanoia = 0.13, P = 0.013; Bhallucinations = 0.13, P = 0.028), and followed by an increase in negative affect at non-cannabis-using moments (B = 0.03, P = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The temporal dynamics of craving as well as craving intensity in daily life appear to be similar in patients and controls. Further research is needed to elucidate the inconsistencies between cross-sectional and daily-life measures of craving in psychosis.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Kuepper
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Oorschot
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Myin-Germeys
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Smits
authors: J
authors: J
authors: van Os
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Henquet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002188:Cannabis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011897:Random Allocation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: OCDUS; cannabis use; craving for cannabis; experience sampling method; psychotic disorder; schizophrenia