Up to 1 in 5 People With Anxiety Disorders Also Have Cannabis Use Disorder | Research

The takeaway

A systematic review found that 3-21% of people with anxiety disorders also have cannabis use disorder, with potentially higher rates among veterans with PTSD (up to 34%).

People with anxiety disorders who use cannabis, mental health professionals, and veterans navigating cannabis and PTSD.

What the researchers found

Across general population samples, 3.3-21.6% of individuals with anxiety disorders had lifetime cannabis use disorder (CUD), and 4.3-20.0% had current CUD. Among veterans with PTSD, current CUD prevalence was 4.1-34.0%.

Why it matters

As cannabis becomes more accessible, understanding who is most vulnerable to problematic use is critical. People with anxiety disorders may use cannabis to cope but are at meaningful risk of developing dependence, creating a cycle that worsens both conditions.

The numbers in context

1,646 articles screened, 11 included. General population: lifetime CUD 3.3-21.6%, current CUD 4.3-20.0%. Veterans with PTSD: current CUD 4.1-34.0%, lifetime CUD 11.3-12.5%. Approximately 1 in 30 to 1 in 5 anxiety patients affected.

How the study worked

Systematic review searching PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science. Included studies of adults 18+ diagnosed with anxiety or related disorders via clinical interview, with CUD assessed by interview or validated screener. 11 studies met criteria from 1,646 identified.

What this study cannot tell us

Only 11 studies met inclusion criteria, reflecting limited research. Wide prevalence ranges suggest methodological heterogeneity. Most studies were from Western countries. Different diagnostic criteria and assessment tools across studies.

How to read the evidence

Systematic review following rigorous methodology, but limited by only 11 eligible studies with heterogeneous methods.

When this study was published

Published in 2026, addressing a growing concern as cannabis legalization expands globally.

The bigger picture

This review highlights a concerning overlap: people with anxiety often self-medicate with cannabis, but the rates of full cannabis use disorder in this population are substantial. With increasing legalization, screening for CUD in anxiety patients becomes more important.

Questions still open

Does cannabis use worsen anxiety disorders over time? Are specific anxiety disorders more strongly linked to CUD? How has increasing legalization affected these comorbidity rates?

Common questions

Can using cannabis for anxiety lead to cannabis use disorder?

This review found that 3-21% of people with anxiety disorders also meet criteria for cannabis use disorder, suggesting meaningful risk. However, the direction of causation isn't clear — anxiety may drive cannabis use, or both may share common risk factors.

Are veterans with PTSD at higher risk?

The limited data suggest yes — current CUD prevalence among veterans with PTSD reached up to 34%, compared to up to 20% in general anxiety populations. However, more research is needed to confirm this difference.

Read the original research

The Prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder in Individuals with Anxiety or Related Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Journal of dual diagnosis, 22(1), 3-25

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Coles, Ashlee R L; Perry, Jenna K; Hiscock, Brooke B; Fawcett, Jonathan M; Harris, Nick; Fawcett, Emily J. (2026). The Prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder in Individuals with Anxiety or Related Disorders: A Systematic Review.. Journal of dual diagnosis, 22(1), 3-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/15504263.2025.2606019