Cannabis use among military veterans: A great deal to gain or lose?

Turna, Jasmine; MacKillop, James

doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2021.101958

Cited by 25 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…In our study, trauma has emerged as a primary theme, and one that is highly concurrent with cannabis use. Previous findings have indicated that post-traumatic stress response and PTSD are very common among combat veterans and are highly comorbid with cannabis use and CUD (12). High comorbidity is also present within the general population, with epidemiological findings associating childhood adverse events and PTSD incidence with higher odds for CUD onset (5).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While being generally ineffective in treating PTSD symptoms severity, veterans who use cannabis may be exposed to additional long-term adverse effects, such as panic attacks, psychotic episodes, cognitive deficit, etc. (12,47).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has been suggested that combat veterans are specifically more prone to cannabis use and CUD compared to noncombat veterans (11). This may be attributed to various factors, including high rates of chronic pain among combat veterans (12). Furthermore, combat exposure has been associated with increased risk for frequent cannabis use (13), presumably due to the mediating role of post-traumatic stress symptoms and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which has been extensively studied as a risk factor for developing CUD among veterans.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, combat exposure has been associated with increased risk for frequent cannabis use (13), presumably due to the mediating role of post-traumatic stress symptoms and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which has been extensively studied as a risk factor for developing CUD among veterans. Notably, as other factor may also underlie combat veterans' proneness to CUD, the use additional research methodologies has been recently encouraged (12). For example, growing attention is drawn to the effect of moral injury, a shame and guilt-based trauma-related syndrome which may develop among veterans, and its effect on various future outcomes (14,15).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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From Enchantment to Disillusion: A Narrative Exploration of Cannabis Use Disorder Among Young Israeli Combat Veterans

2021

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Introduction: Substance use is common among military personnel and war veterans, especially combat veterans. Despite substantially high prevalence of cannabis use and Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) consistently reported among veterans, little is known about psychological factors which may underlie CUD among this population.Methods: In this study, we used narrative analysis in order to interpret retrospective in-depth interviews of combat veterans (N = 12) who were released from mandatory military duty during the past 5 years and currently qualified for a diagnosis of CUD. Participants were recruited from a larger quantitative study were eligible for participation if they screened positive for a diagnosis of CUD according to the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test- Revised (CUDIT-R) questionnaire. CUD diagnosis was validated in-person using the cannabis section of the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-5 (AUDADIS-5) interview protocol. All interviews were transcribed and coded using the content analysis procedure.Findings: Five main themes were extracted: (a) Traumatic events (b) Attitudes toward cannabis use (c) Combatant identity (d) The role of authority/father figures, and (e) Moral crisis. A meta-theme has been identified, “from enchantment to disillusion,” representing a gradual psychological shift from a hopeful, highly motivated stance into the current state of mental rupture and moral injury, which are unsuccessfully compensated by excessive use of cannabis.Conclusions: This study shed light on the etiology of CUD among young combat veterans, highlighting the role of supposed self-medication for trauma and sense of betrayal.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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From Enchantment to Disillusion: A Narrative Exploration of Cannabis Use Disorder Among Young Israeli Combat Veterans

2021

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“…2 Medical cannabis use in Canada was legalized in 2001, and non-medical use by adults was legalized in 2018, showing an increased access to cannabis for medical purposes (CMP) products and cannabis in general. [2][3][4] Cannabis is the source of many plant cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). 5,6 THC is the primary psychoactive component that might be helpful with neuropathic pain and spasticity but may worsen mental health symptoms such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of Canadian Veterans reimbursed for cannabis for medical purposes: Life After Service Survey 2016

Reyes-Vélez

Tabassum

Bolufé-Röhler

et al. 2022

Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health

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LAY SUMMARY This research explored the demographic, military service, and health characteristics associated with cannabis for medical purposes (CMP) reimbursements among Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) clients and respondents of the Life After Service Survey 2016 (LASS). Of the initial number of indicators selected contained in LASS 2016 survey, some specific variables were significantly associated with CMP reimbursement, from which physical/mental health and well-being indicators, such as anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, bowel ulcer, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, needing help with tasks, psychological distress, and having three of more conditions of the PTSD diagnosis, were positively associated with CMP. Moreover, unemployment, having low income (< $5,000), a difficult adjustment, being very dissatisfied with life, having low social support, a weak community belonging, and reporting high stress also increased the odds of being reimbursed. These results will help to identify a preliminary profile of VAC clients with higher need for CMP reimbursement.

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Mental and Physical Health Conditions Among U.S. Veterans with Cannabis Use and Cannabis Use Disorders

et al. 2023

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Purpose of Review Veterans are a large population that is disproportionately affected by various physical and mental health conditions. The primary aim of this review is to provide a concise overview of recent literature on the prevalence of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) among US veterans, and associations with mental and physical health conditions. We also addressed gaps in the literature by investigating associations between CUD and mental and physical health conditions in 2019 data from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA; N = 5,657,277). Recent Findings In total, 25 studies were reviewed. In 2019, the prevalence of Veteran cannabis use ranged from 11.9–18.7%. Cannabis use and CUD were associated with bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, suicidality, pain conditions, and other substance use, but less consistently associated with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Analyses of 2019 VHA data indicated that CUD was strongly associated with a broad array of physical and mental health conditions and mortality. Summary Cannabis use and CUD are prevalent and highly comorbid with other conditions among US veterans. Harm reduction methods tailored to these populations are needed.

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Cannabis use among military veterans: A great deal to gain or lose?

Cited by 25 publications

References 89 publications

From Enchantment to Disillusion: A Narrative Exploration of Cannabis Use Disorder Among Young Israeli Combat Veterans

From Enchantment to Disillusion: A Narrative Exploration of Cannabis Use Disorder Among Young Israeli Combat Veterans

Characteristics of Canadian Veterans reimbursed for cannabis for medical purposes: Life After Service Survey 2016

Mental and Physical Health Conditions Among U.S. Veterans with Cannabis Use and Cannabis Use Disorders

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