Among all frequent cannabis users, the correlation between the number of cannabis withdrawal symptoms and the number of DSM-IV cannabis dependence criteria (range, 0 – 6) was 0.54 (p<.001), while the corresponding correlation among frequent cannabis-only users was 0.64 (p<.001), indicating strong associations. To place these results in context, the corresponding correlation for alcohol withdrawal symptoms and number of DSM-IV alcohol dependence criteria (range, 0 – 6) among those ever drinking ≥5 drinks/day was 0.58, and the corresponding correlation for cocaine withdrawal symptoms and number of DSM-IV cocaine dependence criteria (range, 0 – 6) among those using cocaine ≥3 times/week was 0.76 (p<.001). Thus, the association of withdrawal symptoms to other dependence criteria was similar for cannabis and alcohol, and only slightly weaker than the corresponding association for cocaine.
