SYMPOSIA

Abstracts of the Invited Speakers
References:
1. American Psychiatric Association (1994) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edn) (DSM-IV). Washington, DC: APA.
2. Van Os J, Bak M, Hanssen M, Bijl RV, de Graaf R, Verdoux H. Cannabis use and psychosis: a longitudinal population-based study. Am J Epidemiol 2002;15:319-327.
3. Makkos Z, Fejes L, Inczedy-Farkas G, Kassai-Farkas A, Faludi G, Lazary J. Clinical characteristics of cannabis-induced schizophrenia spectrum disorder.
Neuropsychopharmacol Hung. 2011 Sep;13(3):127-38.
4. Caspi A, Moffitt TE, Cannon M, McClay J, Murray R, Harrington H, Taylor A, Arseneault L, Williams B, Braithwaite A, Poulton R, Craig IW. Moderation of the effect of
adolescent-onset cannabis use on adult psychosis by a functional polymorphism in the catechol-O methyltransferase gene: longitudinal evidence of a gene X
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Bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology 2011;21(Suppl. 2):S83-4
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatement of cannabis dependence
Musa Tosun
Istanbul Universit Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry, İstanbul, Turkey
E-mail: musatosun@hotmail.com
Treatment of cannabis dependence should aim cannabis abstinence and psychosocial support as in general dependency treatment
approach.
The cannabis detoxification of the patient might be achieved by treatment interventions in hospital setting or following up the patient
closely in outpatient setting. In outpatient setting, the regular urinalyses and close monitoring of the patient must be carried out. The
metabolites of the cannabinoids could be detected in urinalysis from 3 days up to 4 weeks following the last use.
Individual, family, and group psychotherapies might be beneficial while supporting the patient. Education is the most important element
for both “abstinence” and “support programs,” as the motivation to quit and not to restart is primarily due to education on the effects and
harmful consequences of cannabis abuse. Tranquilizer drugs might be efficient in short term withdrawal symptoms that might be seen
in cannabis abusers or addicts.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as other antidepressant agents may be used in the treatment of depressive patients, who
use cannabis as a self treatment for depression, and in co-morbid depression of cannabis use disorders or in depressive symptoms caused
by cannabis abuse. In addition, SSRIs might also be used in the treatment of cannabis-induced anxiety disorders.
There is growing interest in the use of antidepressants in cannabis abuse because of highly reported depression rates during the
treatment of cannabis abuse or after the cessation. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of knowledge about the treatment of cannabis abuse
with SSRIs. In a double blind placebo controlled study, fluoxetine has been reported to decrease the frequency of cannabis use in alcoholic
patients with depression.
References:
1. Cornelius JR Salloum IM, Haskett RF, Ehler JG, Jarrett PJ, Thase ME, Perel JM. Fluoxetine versus placebo for the marijuana use of depressed alcoholics. Addict Behav.
1999 Jan-Feb;24(1):111-4.
2. Hall W. & Degenhardt L. : Cannabis-Related Disorders. in Kaplan & Sadock’s Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry 8th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,
Philadelphia, 2005. Vol. I: 1211-1220
3. Tosun M. : Alkol ve Diğer Maddeler ile İlişkili Bozukluklar. İ.Ü.Cer.Paş.Tıp Fak. Yayınları, Rektörlük Yay.No: 4215, Fak.Yay.No. 229, İstanbul, 2000 : 96-100.
Bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology 2011;21(Suppl. 2):S84
S84 Bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Vol: 21, Supplement: 2, 2011 - www.psikofarmakoloji.org