Pothead or pot smoker? A taxometric investigation of cannabis dependence

Abstract

Background: Taxometric methods were used to discern the latent structure of cannabis dependence. Such methods help determine if a construct is categorical or dimensional. Taxometric analyses (MAXEIG and MAMBAC) were conducted on data from 1,474 cannabis-using respondents to the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Respondents answered questions assessing DSM-IV criteria for cannabis dependence. Results: Both taxometric methods provided support for a dimensional structure of cannabis dependence. Conclusion: Although the MAMBAC results were not entirely unequivocal, the majority of evidence favored a dimensional structure of cannabis dependence. © 2006 Denson and Earleywine; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.