The Cannabis use disorder identification test - revised (CUDIT-R) : categorisation and interpretation

The Cannabis Use Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT-R) is a brief cannabis misuse-screening tool, which is widely used to identify cannabis use problems. The CUDIT-R is widely accepted and psychometrically reliable within a clinical population. However, it is unclear if these same cut-offs are applicable in a community population. Additionally, the proposed changes in the DSM-5 introduce a new classification system and severity threshold system for identifying the severity of cannabis use disorder. Accordingly, the current CUD1T-R cut-off scores will no longer mirror the DSM severity thresholds. Consequently, the current study aims to identify community based cut-off scores that are consistent with the DSM-5 cannabis use disorder severity thresholds, as well as an indication of possible psychosocial difficulties experienced at these levels of cannabis use severity. Method and Results. The sample for analysis consisted of 310 Australian cannabis users. Receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) was the statistical procedure used to determine cut-off scores that produced maximum sensitivity and specificity, when calibrated against the DSM-IV and DSM-5 cannabis use severity thresholds, and the Severity of Dependence Scale. The results identified that a CUD1T-R cut-off of 13 was the optimal threshold for cannabis dependence (DSM-1V); a cut-off score of 9 was the optimal threshold for mild cannabis use disorder (DSM-5), a cut-off score of 13 was identified for moderate and severe cannabis use disorder (DSM-5), and finally, a SDS cut-off score of 10 was identified. Discussion. The current study has identified community based CUDIT-R cut-off points that are consistent with the DSM-5 cannabis use disorder severity thresholds and has provided an indication of possible psychosocial difficulties experienced by cannabis users at varying CUDIT-R cut-off points, which may inform clinical intervention.