Nearly 58% of People Who Use Opioids Reported Using Cannabis to Manage Cravings, and It Was Linked to Reduced Opioid Use
Among 205 people who use both cannabis and unregulated opioids in Vancouver, using cannabis to manage opioid cravings was associated with self-reported reductions in opioid use, especially among women and people with moderate-to-severe pain.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis use to manage opioid cravings was reported by 57.6% of participants and was significantly associated with self-reported opioid reduction (aOR=2.13, 95% CI: 1.07-4.27). The association was strongest among people with moderate-to-severe pain (aOR=4.44) and among women (aOR=8.19).
Key Numbers
N=205. Cannabis for craving management: 57.6%. Overall aOR=2.13 (95% CI: 1.07-4.27). Pain subgroup aOR=4.44 (95% CI: 1.52-12.97). Female subgroup aOR=8.19 (95% CI: 1.20-55.81).
How They Did This
Cross-sectional questionnaire administered to 205 people who use both cannabis and unregulated opioids in Vancouver, Canada, from December 2019 to November 2021. Binary logistic regression with multivariable adjustment.
Why This Research Matters
During an ongoing drug toxicity crisis driven by contaminated opioid supplies, understanding any strategy that helps people reduce unregulated opioid use is critical. The strong effect among people with pain suggests cannabis may address a root driver of opioid use.
The Bigger Picture
This study adds to a growing body of evidence that some people who use opioids intentionally use cannabis as a harm reduction tool. The gender difference raises questions about whether women process cannabis differently or use it differently in relation to opioid cravings.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot determine causation. Self-reported opioid reductions without objective verification. Structurally marginalized population in Vancouver may not generalize broadly. Wide confidence intervals in subgroup analyses (especially female subgroup).
Questions This Raises
- ?Why was the cannabis-craving association so much stronger among women?
- ?Would providing cannabis access as part of harm reduction programs reduce opioid overdose deaths?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 57.6% of people who use opioids reported using cannabis to manage cravings
- Evidence Grade:
- Cross-sectional survey with multivariable adjustment. Self-reported outcomes without objective verification.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2023 using data from December 2019 to November 2021.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis use to manage opioid cravings among people who use unregulated opioids during a drug toxicity crisis.
- Published In:
- The International journal on drug policy, 119, 104113 (2023)
- Authors:
- Reddon, Hudson(5), Lake, Stephanie(16), Socias, Maria Eugenia(4), Hayashi, Kanna, DeBeck, Kora, Walsh, Zach, Milloy, M-J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04869
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Do people use cannabis to manage opioid cravings?
In this Vancouver study, 57.6% of people who use both cannabis and opioids reported using cannabis specifically to manage opioid cravings.
Did cannabis reduce opioid use?
People who used cannabis for craving management were about twice as likely to report reducing their opioid use, with stronger effects among women and people with moderate-to-severe pain.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04869APA
Reddon, Hudson; Lake, Stephanie; Socias, Maria Eugenia; Hayashi, Kanna; DeBeck, Kora; Walsh, Zach; Milloy, M-J. (2023). Cannabis use to manage opioid cravings among people who use unregulated opioids during a drug toxicity crisis.. The International journal on drug policy, 119, 104113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104113
MLA
Reddon, Hudson, et al. "Cannabis use to manage opioid cravings among people who use unregulated opioids during a drug toxicity crisis.." The International journal on drug policy, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104113
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis use to manage opioid cravings among people who use ..." RTHC-04869. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/reddon-2023-cannabis-use-to-manage
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.