GP guidelines for the assessment and management of cannabis use ...

GP guidelines for the assessment and management of cannabis use disorder factsheet 1Assess number of days of cannabis use in past month1factsheetIf < 18 years, any use is risky:• give Factsheet 2• advise to quit• make follow-upappointment for 1 monthIf > 18 years and > weekly use:• assess dependence (SDS)• give feedback from SDS• assess readiness tochangeIf > 18 years and< weekly use:• give Factsheet 3If willing to explore changes in theircannabis use:• advise of options about cutting down orquitting• provide Factsheets 4 and 5• offer Cannabis Information and Helpline:1800 30 40 50• monitor at subsequent appointmentsIf not willing to explore changes in theircannabis use:• raise concerns• educate on risks and provide Factsheet 3• be open to discussion• make aware of Cannabis Information andHelpline: 1800 30 40 50• monitor at subsequent appointmentsseverity of dependence scale (SDS)These are the questions that make up the Severity of Dependence Scale.Tick the patient’s response and add up the score out of 15.In the last month:1 Did you ever think your use ofcannabis was out of control?Never or almost never 0Sometimes 1Often 2Always or nearly always 32 Did the prospect of missing a smokemake you very anxious or worried?Never or almost never 0Sometimes 1Often 2Always or nearly always 33 Did you worry about your use ofcannabis?Not at all 0A little 1Quite a lot 2A great deal 34 Did you wish you could stop?Never or almost never 0Sometimes 1Often 2Always or nearly always 35 How difficult would you findit to stop or go without?Not difficult 0Quite difficult 1Very difficult 2Impossible 3SDS Score Dependence rating0-3 nil or negligible4-6 mild7-9 moderate10-12 substantial13-15 severesds score /15, indicating a level of dependence2