Negative Self-Beliefs After Trauma Drive Cannabis Cravings | Research

The takeaway

Among trauma-exposed cannabis users, negative thoughts about oneself (not about the world or self-blame) predicted increased cravings to use cannabis for coping after being reminded of their trauma.

Trauma survivors who use cannabis, therapists, PTSD researchers, and addiction counselors.

What the researchers found

Elevated posttraumatic cognitions were significantly associated with increased state cravings to use cannabis to cope (β=.19, p=.025). Of the three types of posttraumatic cognitions, only negative cognitions about the self predicted increased cravings (β=.19, p=.024); self-blame and negative world views did not.

Why it matters

Identifying that self-directed negative thoughts specifically drive cannabis coping cravings provides a clear therapeutic target. Clinicians can focus on challenging negative self-beliefs to reduce problematic cannabis use in trauma survivors.

The numbers in context

56 participants. 58.9% female. Mean age 20.69 years. 73.2% White. Negative self-cognitions predicted cravings (β=.19, p=.024, sr²=.03). Self-blame: not significant. Negative world views: not significant. Effects held after controlling for cannabis frequency and PTSD diagnosis.

How the study worked

Experimental design with 56 trauma-exposed cannabis users (58.9% female, mean age 20.69). Participants self-reported posttraumatic cognitions and cannabis frequency, received a PTSD diagnostic assessment, then underwent trauma script-driven imagery. Cannabis coping cravings measured before and after trauma cue exposure.

What this study cannot tell us

Small sample (56 participants). Predominantly white. Lab setting with scripted imagery may not reflect real-world triggers. Cross-sectional cravings (not actual use measured). Young adult college sample may not generalize to older trauma survivors.

How to read the evidence

Small experimental study with targeted manipulation — provides mechanistic insight but needs replication in larger, more diverse samples.

When this study was published

Published in 2026, advancing understanding of trauma-cannabis use mechanisms.

The bigger picture

This refines our understanding of why trauma survivors turn to cannabis. It's not generalized negativity or world-weariness that drives coping use — it's specifically how people feel about themselves after trauma. This suggests cognitive therapy targeting self-perception could reduce cannabis dependence.

Questions still open

Would cognitive therapy targeting negative self-cognitions reduce real-world cannabis use? Do these patterns hold for other substances? Would the effect be stronger in people with more severe PTSD?

Common questions

Why do trauma survivors crave cannabis?

This study found that negative beliefs about oneself after trauma (like 'I'm damaged' or 'I can't cope') specifically drove cannabis cravings — not general negativity about the world or self-blame for the trauma.

Could therapy help reduce cannabis cravings in trauma survivors?

Potentially — since negative self-cognitions were the specific driver, cognitive therapy techniques that challenge these beliefs could reduce the motivation to use cannabis for coping.

Read the original research

Associations between posttraumatic cognitions and cannabis cravings among trauma-exposed individuals using cannabis.

The British journal of clinical psychology, 65(1), 250-266

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Deguzman-Lucero, Regine M; Le, Jennifer U; Schmidt, Norman B; Short, Nicole A. (2026). Associations between posttraumatic cognitions and cannabis cravings among trauma-exposed individuals using cannabis.. The British journal of clinical psychology, 65(1), 250-266. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.70016