Use of Protective Behavioral Strategies among Young Adult Veteran Marijuana Users

Abstract

Young adult veterans are at risk for problematic marijuana use and associated consequences, which is partially due to their high rates of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and problematic substance use. Veterans tend to endorse more severe and chronic mental health symptoms compared to their civilian counterparts and they identify marijuana use as a method to cope with their symptoms. Given the prevalence of marijuana use among veterans in the community and in clinical settings, it is important to explore the factors that may help minimize harm associated with use for those that choose to use the drug. The present study sought to examine the impact of protective behavioral strategies on the relationship between mental health symptoms and marijuana use and consequences in a sample of 180 young adult veteran marijuana users. Participants were recruited via social media advertisements and completed measures of marijuana use and consequences, protective behavioral strategies, and PTSD and depression symptoms. Findings indicated that more frequent use of protective behavioral strategies was associated with less marijuana use and consequences. Participants who screened positive for PTSD or depression reported more marijuana consequences than did those not positive on these screeners. Regression analyses revealed protective strategies moderated the relationship between PTSD and marijuana consequences such that young veterans who endorsed more PTSD symptoms and infrequent use of protective strategies reported the most marijuana consequences. No moderating effects were found for the relationship between depression and marijuana consequences. Findings have clinical implications for working with young veterans.

Interactions of protective behavioral strategies and cannabis use motives: An online survey among past-month users

“…PBSM are robustly associated with lower frequency of cannabis use, less negative consequences [ 24 – 29 ] and less symptoms of dependence [ 24 , 30 ] in US college students. In veterans and college students with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who are at risk for experiencing cannabis related negative consequences, the use of PBSM is associated with experiencing less cannabis related problems and less CUD symptoms [ 28 , 30 ]. Known risk-factors for cannabis use and for experiencing negative consequences, like male sex, facets of impulsivity and cannabis use motives, are less predictive of use frequency in college students who use PBSM above average [ 26 , 31 ].…”

“…PBSM help to understand the characteristics of different ways of cannabis use. Furthermore, they are being discussed as a potential useful point of intervention for behavioral change, shifting the focus from abstinence to controlled use in prevention as well as counselling or therapy interventions [ 24 , 26 , 28 ].…”

Protective behavioural strategies of Belgian young adults who use psychoactive medicines nonmedically: insights for harm reduction

“…There seemed to be also some transfer of knowledge between young adults' PBS with other substances, which they also extended to their nonmedical of prescription A rst broad area which focused on related to use patterns. In that regard, we identi ed similar behavioural strategies as reported in studies examining the use patterns of other psychoactive substances (including cannabis and alcohol), such as inserting breaks, avoiding polysubstance use and not using particular medicines before going to work or school (Pedersen et al, 2018;Treloar et al, 2015). The limitation of the frequency and/or dosage of nonmedical use was a commonly used strategy among the young adults to limit the risks of acute and chronic harms.…”

“…Evidence shows that people who use psychoactive substances employ different strategies to minimise the harmful consequences of their use. Examples of these protective behavioural strategies (PBS) include stop using at a predetermined time, taking periodic breaks when using too frequently or not using before going to work or school (Pedersen et al, 2018). However, most of the research investigating these protective behaviours focusses on the use of illicit drugs (e.g.…”

Cannabis use, Attitudes, Regulation and Health: Survey Data from an Urban Population of users and Non-Users

“…In adolescents, young adults and veterans, the use of PBSM is significantly associated with less frequent cannabis use, experiencing less negative consequences and lower dependency rates 1,[34][35][36][37][38] . The more often such strategies are employed, the less likely it is that problematic aspects of cannabis use arise.…”