Marijuana Abuse Increases the Cost of Treating Other Health Conditions

Marijuana users consume more health care resources when hospitalized for a non-marijuana-related diagnosis than non-users. This is a principal finding of new research from the DPRC that examines the effect of a marijuana comorbidity on alcohol problem disorders, mood disorders, and thought disorders. On average, patients admitted to hospitals for alcohol problems stayed in the hospital half a day longer and incurred 7 to 8 percent higher charges when they also abused marijuana than if they did not. The analysis controlled for the patient's abuse of other substances as well as his or her insurance and demographics and factors specific to each hospital. Findings for patients with primary diagnoses of mood disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder) and thought disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, paranoia) were more mixed. For mood disorders, the researchers found no statistical association between marijuana co-morbidity and length of stay, but there was evidence of higher charges. In the case of thought disorders, a marijuana co-morbidity was shown to reduce length of stay, but that did not translate into lower charges. The findings from this study of just three primary diagnoses suggest that researchers should take a closer look at the health care utilization and medical costs associated with marijuana comorbidity, not just the direct costs of treating marijuana dependence.

* Difference is statistically significant
Results shown are from one of two statistical models used; results from the second are similar. A "marijuana-abusing patient" is one with a secondary diagnosis of marijuana abuse or dependence. Results relating to charges are from Florida Hospital Discharge Data, a census of all discharges in that state, from 1995 through 2000. Differences in lengths of stay were evaluated not only for Florida but also for a national sample, with similar results.

Source:

The Incremental Inpatient Costs Associated with Marijuana Comorbidity

Pacula RL, Ringel J, Dobkin C, Truong K.

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