Does cannabis use substitute for opioids? A preliminary exploratory survey in opioid maintenance patients.
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| Title: | Does cannabis use substitute for opioids? A preliminary exploratory survey in opioid maintenance patients. |
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| Authors: | Bekier, Nina Kim (AUTHOR), Frischknecht, Ulrich (AUTHOR), Eidenmueller, Katharina (AUTHOR), Grimm, Franz (AUTHOR), Bach, Patrick (AUTHOR), Stenger, Manuel (AUTHOR), Kiefer, Falk (AUTHOR), Hermann, Derik (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | European Archives of Psychiatry & Clinical Neuroscience. Mar2025, Vol. 275 Issue 2, p565-572. 8p. |
| Subjects: | Marijuana, Opioids, Harm reduction, Self medication, Substance-induced disorders, Pain management, Substance abuse treatment |
| Geographic Terms: | Germany |
| Abstract: | Various studies showed that people with substance use disorder use cannabis to reduce withdrawal or dose of their main drug. Using a questionnaire about their cannabis use, 118 participants in an opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) in Germany were examined regarding this strategy. 60% reported to use cannabis. Of those, 72% were using cannabis in the suggested way. Cannabis was used to substitute for, e.g., heroin (44.8%) and benzodiazepines (16.4%). We also asked for an estimation of how good cannabis was able to substitute for several substances (in German school grades (1 till 6)); heroin average grade: 2.6 ± 1.49. Besides that we asked about the idea of cannabis as "self-medication", e.g., to reduce pain (47%) and about negative consequences from cannabis use. Our results suggest to consider the use of cannabis by patients in OMT rather as a harm reduction strategy to reduce the intake of more dangerous drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Various studies showed that people with substance use disorder use cannabis to reduce withdrawal or dose of their main drug. Using a questionnaire about their cannabis use, 118 participants in an opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) in Germany were examined regarding this strategy. 60% reported to use cannabis. Of those, 72% were using cannabis in the suggested way. Cannabis was used to substitute for, e.g., heroin (44.8%) and benzodiazepines (16.4%). We also asked for an estimation of how good cannabis was able to substitute for several substances (in German school grades (1 till 6)); heroin average grade: 2.6 ± 1.49. Besides that we asked about the idea of cannabis as "self-medication", e.g., to reduce pain (47%) and about negative consequences from cannabis use. Our results suggest to consider the use of cannabis by patients in OMT rather as a harm reduction strategy to reduce the intake of more dangerous drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 09401334 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00406-023-01718-3 |
