Adults in early opioid/stimulant recovery describe cannabis as a helpful substitution strategy

Participants found cannabis appealing for its safer profile (no overdose risk, safe supply, few side effects). Primary motives: psychiatric symptom management, withdrawal/craving mitigation, boredom relief. All described typical recovery benefits (improved self-concept, better relationships) while using cannabis. Some negative effects noted: decreased productivity, social anxiety.

Grounded theory qualitative study with 14 participants (8 men, 6 women, ages 20-50) who resolved primary opioid (11) or methamphetamine (3) addiction and increased cannabis use within the previous 12 months. Semi-structured interviews analyzed through line-by-line, focused, and axial coding.

The addiction field's focus on abstinence has limited understanding of non-abstinent recovery. If cannabis substitution helps some people sustain recovery from more dangerous substances, harm reduction frameworks may need to accommodate this reality.

With fentanyl making opioid use increasingly lethal, pragmatic strategies that reduce overdose risk while supporting recovery deserve investigation. This study suggests cannabis substitution may work for some individuals, challenging the abstinence-only recovery paradigm.

Very small sample. Self-selected participants who view substitution positively. No comparison to abstinent recovery or continued use groups. Qualitative design cannot measure outcomes. Early recovery only (within 1 year).