Long-acting injectable antipsychotics reduced rehospitalization in cannabis-using psychosis patients
Early psychosis patients who used cannabis were more dissatisfied with medication and more likely to be rehospitalized, but those on long-acting injectable antipsychotics had fewer rehospitalizations than those on oral formulations.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis users were significantly more dissatisfied with antipsychotic medication (Chi-square 9.67, p < .002) and more likely to be rehospitalized (Chi-square 4.40, p = .036). Patients on long-acting injectable antipsychotics were rehospitalized less frequently than those on oral formulations (Chi-square 4.61, p = .032).
Key Numbers
24 cannabis users, 27 non-users. Cannabis users more dissatisfied (p < .002) and more rehospitalized (p = .036). Long-acting injectables associated with fewer rehospitalizations (p = .032).
How They Did This
Retrospective study in an early psychosis program in mid-Michigan. Compared cannabis users (n=24) and non-users (n=27) on medication satisfaction and rehospitalization. Patient perceptions assessed using a single question from the NAVIGATE Patient Self-Rating Form.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabis-using psychosis patients face a double challenge: they are less satisfied with medication and more likely to relapse. Long-acting injectables may help by removing the daily adherence decision.
The Bigger Picture
Non-adherence is a major driver of relapse in psychosis, and cannabis use appears to worsen this. Long-acting injectables bypass the adherence problem, which may be especially important for patients who use cannabis.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small retrospective study. Single site. Medication satisfaction assessed with a single question. Cannot determine if cannabis caused dissatisfaction or if more dissatisfied patients were more likely to use cannabis.
Questions This Raises
- ?Why are cannabis-using patients more dissatisfied with antipsychotics?
- ?Would earlier initiation of long-acting injectables prevent first rehospitalization?
- ?Could addressing cannabis use improve medication satisfaction?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Long-acting injectables reduced rehospitalization in cannabis users
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary: small retrospective study from a single site with limited sample sizes.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019.
- Original Title:
- A retrospective study of the role of long-acting injectable antipsychotics in preventing rehospitalization in early psychosis with cannabis use.
- Published In:
- Addictive behaviors reports, 10, 100221 (2019)
- Authors:
- Rozin, Emily, Vanaharam, Vivek, D'Mello, Dale(2), Palazzolo, Scott, Adams, Cathy
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02265
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What are long-acting injectable antipsychotics?
These are antipsychotic medications given as injections every few weeks instead of daily pills. They ensure consistent medication levels regardless of whether the patient remembers or chooses to take a daily dose.
Why might cannabis make people dissatisfied with antipsychotics?
Possible reasons include cannabis counteracting the sedating effects patients may dislike about antipsychotics, cannabis users having different expectations about medication, or underlying factors that drive both cannabis use and treatment dissatisfaction.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02265APA
Rozin, Emily; Vanaharam, Vivek; D'Mello, Dale; Palazzolo, Scott; Adams, Cathy. (2019). A retrospective study of the role of long-acting injectable antipsychotics in preventing rehospitalization in early psychosis with cannabis use.. Addictive behaviors reports, 10, 100221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2019.100221
MLA
Rozin, Emily, et al. "A retrospective study of the role of long-acting injectable antipsychotics in preventing rehospitalization in early psychosis with cannabis use.." Addictive behaviors reports, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2019.100221
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "A retrospective study of the role of long-acting injectable ..." RTHC-02265. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/rozin-2019-a-retrospective-study-of
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.