Prototype Screening Instrument for Cannabis Use Disorder: The Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test (CUDIT) in an Alcohol-Dependent Clinical Sample

• NCJ Number: 202342
• Journal: Drug and Alcohol Review Volume: 22 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2003 Pages: 309-315
• Author(s): Simon J. Adamson; J. Douglas Sellman
• Date Published: September 2003
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Measurement/Evaluation Device
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This article describes the use of a prototype screening instrument for the identification of current cannabis use disorder.

Abstract

Based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test (CUDIT) was used for the first time on a sample of 115 clients with a primary diagnosis of mild to moderate alcohol dependence in Australia. This population was chosen to test the prototype because those with alcohol dependence may be at an increased risk for cannabis use disorder. Cannabis use disorder is described as either cannabis abuse or cannabis dependence. Of the total 115 participants who completed the CUDIT, the accuracy of the CUDIT to screen for cannabis abuse or dependence was examined in the 53 participants who reported some cannabis use over the preceding 6 months. Results of SPSS analysis revealed that the CUDIT achieved a positive predictive power of 84.6 percent and a sensitivity of 73.3 percent at identifying cannabis use disorder. The results indicate the viability of the CUDIT for identifying cannabis use disorder in at-risk populations. Future research should test the CUDIT prototype for accuracy in the general population. Tables, references, appendix