Up to 1 in 5 People With Anxiety Disorders Also Have Cannabis Use Disorder
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%).
Quick Facts
What This Study 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%.
Key Numbers
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 They Did This
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.
Why This Research 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 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.
What This Study Doesn't 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.
Questions This Raises
- ?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?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Systematic review following rigorous methodology, but limited by only 11 eligible studies with heterogeneous methods.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2026, addressing a growing concern as cannabis legalization expands globally.
- Original Title:
- The Prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder in Individuals with Anxiety or Related Disorders: A Systematic Review.
- Published In:
- Journal of dual diagnosis, 22(1), 3-25 (2026)
- Authors:
- Coles, Ashlee R L, Perry, Jenna K, Hiscock, Brooke B, Fawcett, Jonathan M, Harris, Nick, Fawcett, Emily J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-08178
Evidence Hierarchy
Analyzes all available research on a topic using a structured method.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked 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.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-08178APA
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
MLA
Coles, Ashlee R L, et al. "The Prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder in Individuals with Anxiety or Related Disorders: A Systematic Review.." Journal of dual diagnosis, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1080/15504263.2025.2606019
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "The Prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder in Individuals with ..." RTHC-08178. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/coles-2026-the-prevalence-of-cannabis
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.