What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Addiction.

Where was this research published?

Published in Substance use & misuse on August 23, 2026.

China’s drug-use burden shifts, with cannabis use staying stable

Q: What did this research study find?

In **2023**, the reported prevalence of *cannabis use disorder* in China was **4.22 per 100,000**, and its overall burden remained relatively stable from 1990 to 2023.

Analysis and Prediction Study on the Burden of Drug Use Disorders in China from 1990 to 2023: A Systematic Analysis From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023.

Substance use & misuse • August 23, 2026 • Relevant

🤖

AI Summary

This Global Burden of Disease analysis examined drug use disorders in China from 1990 to 2023, including amphetamine use disorder, cocaine use disorder, cannabis use disorder, opioid use disorder, and other drug use disorders. In 2023, reported prevalence was 4.22 per 100,000 for cannabis use disorder, compared with higher rates for the other drug-use categories. The burden of most disorders declined over the study period, while the burden of cannabis use disorder remained relatively stable.

The patterns differed by sex and age. The burden of cannabis use disorder was significantly higher among Chinese males than females, and prevalence and disability-adjusted life-year rates generally decreased with increasing age. However, the proportion of opioid and amphetamine use disorders among older adults was increasing. The authors project that most measured drug-use burdens will continue to fall over the next 15 years, while cannabis use disorder is expected to remain comparatively stable—supporting prevention strategies tailored to specific age groups and sexes.

💡 Key Findings

In 2023, the reported prevalence of cannabis use disorder in China was 4.22 per 100,000, and its overall burden remained relatively stable from 1990 to 2023.

High

80%

The burden of cannabis use disorder was significantly higher among males than females in China across the study period.

High

80%

Prevalence and disability-adjusted life-year rates for drug use disorders generally decreased with increasing age, although the proportions of opioid and amphetamine disorders were rising among older adults.

High

80%

Over the next 15 years, the burden of most analyzed drug-use disorders is projected to decline, while cannabis use disorder is expected to remain relatively stable.

Good

70%

The findings support more targeted prevention efforts based on sex and age, rather than relying on a single nationwide approach.

Good

75%

📄 Original Abstract

Drug use disorders, including amphetamine use disorder (AMD), cocaine use disorder (COD), cannabis use disorder (CAD), opioid use disorder (OPD), and other drug use disorder (OTD), have become a serious global public health issue. However, there are limited systematic reviews and studies on drug use disorders in China. The Joinpoint regression method was used to comprehensively evaluate the changes in the burden of drug use disorders in China from 1990 to 2023. The systematic analysis was conducted by stratifying by gender and age group, and the future burden of drug use disorders in China was predicted based on the difference autoregressive moving average model (ARIMA). In 2023, the prevalence of AMD, COD, CAD, OPD, and OTD were 218.45, 162.13, 4.22, 109.27, and 21.31 per 100,000 in China, respectively. From 1990 to 2023, the burden of AMD, COD, OPD, and OTD in China all showed a downward trend, while the burden of CAD remained relatively stable. Additionally, from 1990 to 2023, the burden of AMD, COD, and CAD among Chinese males was significantly higher than that among females, while the gender differences in the burden of OPD and OTD varied in different periods. In terms of age stratification, the disease burden of different drug use disorders varies significantly among different age groups. Moreover, the prevalence and DALYs rate of drug use disorders decreased with increasing age. However, it is necessary to be vigilant that the proportions of OPD and AMD are constantly increasing among the elderly. The prediction results indicate that in the next 15 years, the disease burden of AMD, COD, OPD, and OTD in China will further decrease, while the disease burden of CAD will remain relatively stable. The disease burden of drug use disorders in China remains significant, and there are notable differences among different genders and age groups. In the future, more targeted prevention measures should be developed based on the current situation and the characteristics of gender and age stratification, in order to effectively reduce the disease burden of corresponding drug use disorders.