Young adults prescribed opioids after surgery often took less than prescribed due to addiction fears, and many used cannabis intentionally for pain and anxiety management during recovery.
Surgeons, anesthesiologists, young adult patients, anyone interested in postoperative pain management
Opioid fear led many to take less than prescribed and endure pain
What the researchers found
Key themes included a "fear of opioids" and "fear messaging from parents" that led young adults to take opioids less than prescribed and endure pain instead. Many used cannabis after surgery for pain and anxiety management. Participants were intentional about cannabis use around the surgical period, adjusting timing and amounts.
Why it matters
Understanding that young adults are self-managing postoperative pain with cannabis due to opioid fears suggests that surgical teams need to address both the fear narrative and the reality of cannabis use in perioperative planning.
The numbers in context
13 participants, mean age 22.9. Interviews at 2-12 weeks post-surgery. Themes included fear of opioid dependence, positive mental health effects from cannabis, and contradictory perceptions about cannabis pain effects.
How the study worked
Qualitative descriptive study with 13 young adults (ages 19-25) who were prescribed opioids post-surgery. Semi-structured interviews conducted 2-12 weeks after surgery explored patterns and motivations for opioid and cannabis use.
What this study cannot tell us
Very small sample (n=13). Qualitative design provides depth but not generalizability. Participants were from one geographic area. Self-selected population may over-represent cannabis users.
How to read the evidence
Preliminary: small qualitative study providing in-depth perspectives but limited generalizability
When this study was published
Published in 2025
The bigger picture
The opioid crisis has made young adults wary of prescription painkillers, sometimes to the point of under-treating their pain. Cannabis is filling a gap, but surgical teams may not know their patients are using it, creating potential safety concerns.
Questions still open
- Are young adults under-treating post-surgical pain by avoiding opioids? Does cannabis actually provide effective post-surgical pain relief? Should surgical teams routinely discuss cannabis use in perioperative planning?
Common questions
Why are young adults afraid of opioids after surgery?
Is cannabis effective for post-surgical pain?
Read the original research
Young Adults' Use of Prescription Opioids and Cannabis Postoperatively: A Qualitative Study.
Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses
Citation
Battison, Eleanor A J; Heierle, Jessica; Cottrell, Erika K; Holley, Amy L; Wilson, Anna C. (2025). Young Adults' Use of Prescription Opioids and Cannabis Postoperatively: A Qualitative Study.. Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2025.11.018
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