Childhood Trauma Linked to Cannabis Use and Greater Pain in People on Methadone
Among people receiving methadone for opioid use disorder, childhood trauma correlated with more severe pain, higher alcohol use, and earlier cannabis initiation.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Higher childhood trauma scores correlated with greater pain severity, increased alcohol consumption, and earlier age of first cannabis use. Cannabis users in the sample reported significantly higher levels of emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and physical neglect compared to non-users.
Key Numbers
Childhood trauma correlated with pain severity (r = 0.27, P = 0.03), alcohol use (r = 0.25, P = 0.04), and earlier cannabis initiation (r = -0.45, P < 0.001). Emotional abuse showed the strongest correlations with pain severity (r = 0.33) and interference (r = 0.28).
How They Did This
Cross-sectional study of 82 individuals receiving methadone for opioid use disorder. Researchers used validated questionnaires for childhood trauma (CTQ), pain (BPI), and substance use (TLFB) over the past 28 days.
Why This Research Matters
Childhood trauma is common among people with substance use disorders, but its specific relationship to cannabis use and pain in this population has been underexplored.
The Bigger Picture
This study adds to growing evidence that trauma histories shape substance use patterns. The finding that cannabis use, but not heroin or cocaine use, was linked to specific trauma subtypes suggests these relationships are more nuanced than a simple "trauma leads to drug use" narrative.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample size (82 participants). Cross-sectional design cannot establish whether trauma causes cannabis use or pain. Single-site study.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does treating childhood trauma in OUD patients reduce their cannabis use or pain?
- ?Are people with trauma histories using cannabis specifically for pain relief?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- r = -0.45 correlation between childhood trauma and earlier cannabis initiation
- Evidence Grade:
- Small cross-sectional study at a single site; correlational design cannot establish causation.
- Study Age:
- 2025 study using current clinical data
- Original Title:
- The Role of Childhood Trauma in Chronic Pain and Substance Use Among Individuals Receiving Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder.
- Published In:
- Journal of addiction medicine (2025)
- Authors:
- Costa, Gabriel P A(4), Ra, Jocelyn, Meyerovich, Julia, Pittman, Brian, C Nunes, Julio, De Aquino, Joao P
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06263
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does childhood trauma cause people to use cannabis?
This study found a correlation, not causation. People with higher trauma scores were more likely to use cannabis and started younger, but the study design cannot prove trauma directly caused cannabis use.
Why was cannabis use linked to trauma but heroin use was not?
The researchers did not find significant correlations between childhood trauma and heroin, tobacco, cocaine, or stimulant use in this sample. The specific link to cannabis and alcohol may reflect different motivations or pathways.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06263APA
Costa, Gabriel P A; Ra, Jocelyn; Meyerovich, Julia; Pittman, Brian; C Nunes, Julio; De Aquino, Joao P. (2025). The Role of Childhood Trauma in Chronic Pain and Substance Use Among Individuals Receiving Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder.. Journal of addiction medicine. https://doi.org/10.1097/ADM.0000000000001553
MLA
Costa, Gabriel P A, et al. "The Role of Childhood Trauma in Chronic Pain and Substance Use Among Individuals Receiving Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder.." Journal of addiction medicine, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1097/ADM.0000000000001553
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "The Role of Childhood Trauma in Chronic Pain and Substance U..." RTHC-06263. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/costa-2025-the-role-of-childhood
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.