Factores de riesgo y escalada cannabinoide

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to analyze cannabis consumption and cessation predictors, the stepping stone hypothesis, the concepts of causality and probability, and, particularly, the risk factors related to cannabis use. Studies carried out in various countries confirm the existence of a significant relationship between the consumption of legal substances (alcohol and tobacco) and consumption of cannabis. There is also evidence of the role of cannabis in facilitating the escalation of abuse of other drugs like heroin and cocaine. Other factors intervene in the process of escalation such as personality, lifestyle, and other environmental factors. Risk factors predicting cannabis use, besides prior consumption of alcohol and tobacco, include being young in age, being male, low school satisfaction, poor academic achievement, feeling unloved by family, mental health problems, lack of popularity, and belonging to a peer group that consumes drugs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)