Cannabis Use in SUD Treatment Patients Was Linked to More Trauma and Worse Mental Health

Cannabis use was significantly associated with trauma history and several psychiatric diagnoses including anxiety and depression, with the highest prevalence in current users. However, cannabis use was not independently associated with anxiety, depression, sleep quality, or disability scores after controlling for trauma exposure, suggesting trauma may mediate the relationship.

Cross-sectional online survey of 544 patients in Ontario, Canada seeking SUD treatment. Participants grouped by cannabis use: current (past-year, n=363), past (lifetime but not past-year, n=109), and never (n=72). Validated measures assessed GAD-7, PHQ-9, PSQI, WHODAS, psychiatric diagnoses, trauma, and suicidality.

Understanding the mental health profile of cannabis users in SUD treatment is essential for tailoring care. The finding that trauma may explain much of the cannabis-mental health link suggests that trauma-informed approaches could be more effective than focusing on cannabis use alone.

The high overlap between cannabis use, trauma, and psychiatric comorbidity in SUD treatment populations suggests these issues need integrated rather than siloed treatment approaches.

Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference. Self-reported measures may be subject to recall bias. Ontario-specific treatment population may not generalize. Current cannabis use was not distinguished from cannabis use disorder.