Cannabis Consumption Among Musicians: About A Series Of 37 Cases

Abstract

Introduction

Many musicians have suffered the consequences of drug addiction. What about cannabis use?

Objectives

To describe the epidemiological characteristics of cannabis users among musiciens

To study the prevalence of anxiety and depression disorders among these consumers

Methods

A descriptive and retrospective study of the epidemiological characteristics and prevalence of depression and anxiety in a population of 37 musicians who consume cannabis. This sample was selected among 202 musicians having participated in an anonymous questionnaire

Results

The prevalence of cannabis use among musicians in our study is about 18.31%. 76% of them are professionnals with sex ratio of 6.25. The mean age of these musicians is 27 years old. They started using cannabis at a mean age of 21 years old. The history of school failure was found in 1/3 of all cases, with a younger age at the onset of cannabis use (18 years old vs 22 years old in absence of school failure). 72.4% of cannabis users are single, 27.5% are in a relationship, 66.7% of the 37 musicians are Tabaco smokers, 55.6% are alchoolics, and 19,4% are using other drugs. 16.7% of these musicians are followed for depressive disorder, anxiety or bipolar disorder. The mean duration of cannabis use is 7 years, often in group of people. The first contact with cannabis occurs after the start of learning music in 44.4% of cases (a mean of 12 years after).The average consumption is about 4 times per week, mostly outside the musical activity in 3/4 of the cases. 53.6% believe that cannabis can cause a decline in their health. 10 musicians increased cannabis use and 8 of them believe that it can improve their performance and creativity. On the other hand, only 9 musicians wish to wean the use of cannabis. 19/29 musicians (65.5%) have an anxiety (A) and/or depression (D), that is proven to be moderate to severe respectivelly in 2/3 and half of cases, The mean of the A score and D score of the HAD scale is 10 and 9, respectivelly.

Conclusions

The reasons of cannabis addiction are various: fleeing reality, seeking the anxiolytic or sedatif effects and improving performance.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared