About one-third of patients in a Veteran Affairs (VA) Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment program reported using cannabis during SUD treatment, according to authors of research published in Harm Reduction Journal. Cannabis was used primarily targeting analgesia, anxiety attenuation, and insomnia, and framing use as a harm-reduction strategy rather than intoxication-seeking. Alcohol use disorder predominated (70%), with opioid (18%) and stimulant (12%) use disorders represented; eligibility required chronic pain and excluded primary cannabis SUD. Avoidance of cannabis commonly reflected prior negative experiences, relapse concerns regarding the index SUD substance, and compliance with prohibitive policies and federal/legal constraints. Curiosity and emerging evidence influenced some nonusers’ openness to future cannabis use for pain, despite limited human data supporting cannabinoids in SUD contexts. Federally employed clinicians, especially in legalized states, should be prepared to counsel on evidence quality, knowledge gaps, and applicable policies to support informed patient decision-making.

Original article