cannabis users' informal rules for managing stigma and risk

Hathaway, Andrew D.

doi:10.1080/01639620490484095

Cited by 87 publications

(98 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Marijuana, the most prevalent illegal drug used in the United States, has become less stigmatized in recent decades (Hathaway 2004); however, "harder," more dangerous drugs (e.g., cocaine, Ecstasy, opioids, amphetamine) appear to remain associated with higher levels of stigma. For example, drugs that are more harmful and addicting, such as heroin (Nutt et al 2007), are consistently shown to receive higher ratings of disapproval in comparison to marijuana and Ecstasy (Johnston et al 2011).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…For example, drugs that are more harmful and addicting, such as heroin (Nutt et al 2007), are consistently shown to receive higher ratings of disapproval in comparison to marijuana and Ecstasy (Johnston et al 2011). It has been well documented that the experience of stigma among drug users can lead to adverse psychological and social consequences (Simpson & McNulty 2008;Hathaway 2004;Link et al 1997); however, research examining predictors of stigmatization towards illegal drug users is limited.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Predictors of Stigmatization Towards Use of Various Illicit Drugs Among Emerging Adults

Palamar

Kiang

Halkitis

2012

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs

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The stigma associated with illegal drug use is nearly universal, but each drug is associated with its own specific level of stigma. This study examined level of stigmatization towards users of various illegal drugs and determined what variables explain such attitudes. A sample of emerging adults (age 18 to 25) was surveyed throughout New York City (N = 1021) and lifetime use, level of exposure to users, and level of stigmatization was assessed regarding use of marijuana, powder cocaine, Ecstasy, and nonmedical use of opioids and amphetamine. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine predictors of stigmatization towards each drug. Results suggest that non-illegal drug users reported high levels of stigmatization towards users of all drugs, but lifetime marijuana users reported significantly lower levels of stigmatization towards users of all harder drugs. This may suggest that once an individual enters the realm of illegal drug use, stigmatization towards use of harder drugs decreases, potentially leaving individuals at risk for use of more dangerous substances. Since stigma and social disapproval may be protective factors against illegal drug use, policy experts need to consider the potential flaws associated with classifying marijuana with harder, more dangerous drugs.

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Predictors of Stigmatization Towards Use of Various Illicit Drugs Among Emerging Adults

Palamar

Kiang

Halkitis

2012

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs

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“…While cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance globally [10], decades of study have demonstrated that the majority of mainly infrequent users suffer negligible health effects [11,12]. Indeed, patterns of moderate, controlled use predominate for the majority of adult consumers, such that daily cannabis users are often hard to distinguish, in terms of health, social, and economic markers, from individuals who have never used the drug [13,14,15]. Nevertheless, researchers have identified a range of potential harms, particularly in relation to long-term heavy use, while the associated risks of exposure in youth dictate caution and the importance of prevention [16,17,18,19,20,21,22].…”

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confidence: 99%

Problems with the Identification of ‘Problematic' Cannabis Use: Examining the Issues of Frequency, Quantity, and Drug Use Environment

et al. 2014

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Considerable recent attention has focused on how harmful or problematic cannabis use is defined and understood in the literature and put to use in clinical practice. The aim of the current study is to review conceptual and measurement shortcomings in the identification of problematic cannabis use, drawing on the WHO ASSIST instrument for specific examples. Three issues with the current approach are debated and discussed: (1) the identification of problematic cannabis use disproportionately relies on measures of the frequency of cannabis consumption rather than the harms experienced; (2) the quantity consumed on a typical day is not considered when assessing problematic use, and (3) screening tools for problematic use employ a ‘one-size-fits-all approach' and fail to reflect on the drug use context (networks and environment). Our commentary tackles each issue, with a review of relevant literature coupled with analyses of two Canadian data sources - a representative sample of the Canadian adult population and a smaller sample of adult, regular, long-term cannabis users from four Canadian cities - to further articulate each point. This article concludes with a discussion of appropriate treatment interventions and approaches to reduce cannabis-related harms, and offers suggested changes to improve the measurement of problematic cannabis use.

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“…The majority of cannabis is consumed by smoking, and the majority of users in this study preferred joints (see also Hathaway, 2004b). Only six respondents said that they used pipes only in the 12-month period prior to getting treatment (versus 91 respondents who exclusively smoked joints).…”

Section: Comparisons By Gender Age Referral Source and Methods Of Imentioning

confidence: 88%

Cannabis Dependence as a Primary Drug Use–Related Problem: The Case for Harm Reduction–Oriented Treatment Options

Hathaway

Callaghan

Macdonald³

et al. 2009

Substance Use & Misuse

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Few studies have focused on cannabis dependence as compared to other drugs more commonly acknowledged as presenting a substantial need for treatment. This paper presents findings from a 2004-2005 study of drug user treatment clients in Southern Ontario, Canada. Clients with cannabis (n = 128) or cocaine (n = 300) as their primary drug problem were compared on psychosocial and demographic characteristics, drug effects, and clinical impairment. There are more similarities than differences between groups, with DAST and DSM scores showing high rates of "dependence" and reported symptoms of "abuse." However, cannabis consistently scored lower on these items, supporting the idea of a continuum of risk on which its rank compared with other potentially misused drugs holds across a wide range of symptoms of impairment. The less disruptive nature of cannabis use-related problems poses greater challenges for drug user treatment providers guided by strict abstinence agendas. The authors call for the expansion of harm reduction treatment options and educational initiatives beyond primary prevention that acknowledge benefits of moderate controlled use when addressing cannabis misuse.

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cannabis users' informal rules for managing stigma and risk

Cited by 87 publications

References 26 publications

Predictors of Stigmatization Towards Use of Various Illicit Drugs Among Emerging Adults

Predictors of Stigmatization Towards Use of Various Illicit Drugs Among Emerging Adults

Problems with the Identification of ‘Problematic' Cannabis Use: Examining the Issues of Frequency, Quantity, and Drug Use Environment

Cannabis Dependence as a Primary Drug Use–Related Problem: The Case for Harm Reduction–Oriented Treatment Options

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