Medical cannabis in a residential recovery program showed promise for reducing cravings and substance use
In a pilot of 14 clients in residential recovery, adjunctive medical cannabis helped reduce drug cravings and manage pain while destigmatizing cannabis as a therapeutic tool.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Clients reported cannabis substitution reduced cravings for problematic substances and helped with pain and comorbid symptoms. Staff highlighted the need for cannabis education, clear dispensing guidelines, and accessible frameworks.
Key Numbers
14 clients at 3 time points. 7 staff interviewed. Reports of reduced cravings, pain management, symptom relief. Key facilitators: cannabis education, clear guidelines.
How They Did This
Qualitative study: interviews and validated self-reports from 14 clients at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months, plus 7 staff interviews, at a Canadian residential recovery program.
Why This Research Matters
Using cannabis within recovery programs is controversial. This pilot provides the first qualitative evidence from both clients and staff on feasibility of structured cannabis programs coexisting with recovery goals.
The Bigger Picture
Harm reduction increasingly recognizes that abstinence-only approaches do not work for everyone. Cannabis substitution could join other substitution approaches if supported by further evidence.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample. No control group. Single site. Qualitative design cannot establish efficacy.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would a controlled trial confirm reduced substance use?
- ?What safeguards prevent cannabis itself from becoming problematic?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Clients reported reduced drug cravings and improved symptom management
- Evidence Grade:
- Qualitative pilot providing feasibility data but cannot demonstrate efficacy.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025.
- Original Title:
- Medical Cannabis Use Adjunct to Standard of Care in a Residential Substance Use Recovery Program: A Pilot Study.
- Published In:
- Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 86(6), 967-976 (2025)
- Authors:
- Fehr, Florriann C, Lo, Lindsay A(5), Nelson, Christopher C, Diehl, Lauren, Walsh, Zach
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06442
Evidence Hierarchy
Uses interviews or focus groups to understand experiences in depth.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can medical cannabis help with addiction recovery?
This small pilot found clients reported reduced cravings, but only 14 people were studied without a control group.
Is it contradictory to use cannabis in recovery?
The study found structured approaches with education and guidelines allowed cannabis to coexist with recovery goals.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06442APA
Fehr, Florriann C; Lo, Lindsay A; Nelson, Christopher C; Diehl, Lauren; Walsh, Zach. (2025). Medical Cannabis Use Adjunct to Standard of Care in a Residential Substance Use Recovery Program: A Pilot Study.. Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 86(6), 967-976. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.24-00224
MLA
Fehr, Florriann C, et al. "Medical Cannabis Use Adjunct to Standard of Care in a Residential Substance Use Recovery Program: A Pilot Study.." Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 2025. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.24-00224
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Medical Cannabis Use Adjunct to Standard of Care in a Reside..." RTHC-06442. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/fehr-2025-medical-cannabis-use-adjunct
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.