Cannabis and Stimulant Use Among Homeless People: Different Drugs, Different Trauma Profiles
Among homeless individuals in British Columbia, cannabis users had higher rates of psychotic disorders (32%) and depression linked to childhood emotional neglect, while stimulant users were more likely female, poly-substance users, and engaged in survival sex.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Researchers compared cannabis and stimulant use patterns among a homeless population in British Columbia, finding distinct profiles for each substance.
Cannabis users had notably higher rates of lifetime psychotic disorders (32%). Among incarcerated cannabis users, there was greater childhood emotional neglect, and one in two had lifetime depressive disorders. Stimulant users were more likely to be female (43%), use multiple substances (average 3.2), and engage in survival sex (14%).
Childhood physical abuse and Caucasian ethnicity were associated with greater crack cocaine use. The findings suggest a developmental cascade where childhood abuse leads to depression and psychopathology, increasing cannabis dependence risk and potentially contributing to psychosis development.
Key Numbers
32% of cannabis users had lifetime psychotic disorders; stimulant users: 43% female, 3.2 average substances, 14% survival sex; 50% of incarcerated cannabis users had depressive disorders; childhood emotional neglect linked to cannabis use
How They Did This
Cross-sectional analysis from the BC Health of the Homeless Study, conducted in three British Columbia cities. Used the Maudsley Addiction Profile, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and MINI Plus psychiatric interview.
Why This Research Matters
Understanding different trauma and mental health profiles associated with different substances can inform targeted interventions for homeless populations, rather than treating all substance use the same way.
The Bigger Picture
Homelessness, trauma, substance use, and mental illness are deeply intertwined. Effective interventions need to address all of these factors together, and the specific substance used may signal different underlying trauma histories and psychiatric needs.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot determine causal directions. Homeless populations have unique characteristics limiting generalizability. Self-reported trauma and substance use. Cannot separate pre-existing psychiatric vulnerability from substance effects.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does childhood emotional neglect specifically predispose to cannabis use and psychosis, or is this association mediated by depression?
- ?Would trauma-informed treatment reduce cannabis-related psychosis in homeless populations?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 32% of cannabis users in the homeless sample had psychotic disorders
- Evidence Grade:
- Cross-sectional study with validated instruments, but specific to a homeless population and unable to establish causal pathways.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2015. The intersection of homelessness, trauma, and substance use remains a critical public health issue.
- Original Title:
- Stimulants and Cannabis Use Among a Marginalized Population in British Columbia, Canada: Role of Trauma and Incarceration.
- Published In:
- International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology, 59(13), 1487-98 (2015)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01056
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why is cannabis linked to psychosis in homeless populations?
This study found 32% of cannabis users had psychotic disorders, associated with childhood emotional neglect and depression. The proposed explanation is a developmental cascade: childhood trauma leads to depression, which increases cannabis use, which may contribute to psychosis in vulnerable individuals.
Do different drugs attract different people?
In this study, yes. Cannabis users had more psychotic and depressive disorders. Stimulant users were more likely female, used more substances, and engaged in survival sex. Different substances appeared linked to different trauma histories and psychiatric profiles.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01056APA
Saddichha, Sahoo; Werker, Gregory R; Schuetz, Christian; Krausz, Michael R. (2015). Stimulants and Cannabis Use Among a Marginalized Population in British Columbia, Canada: Role of Trauma and Incarceration.. International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology, 59(13), 1487-98. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X14541661
MLA
Saddichha, Sahoo, et al. "Stimulants and Cannabis Use Among a Marginalized Population in British Columbia, Canada: Role of Trauma and Incarceration.." International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X14541661
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Stimulants and Cannabis Use Among a Marginalized Population ..." RTHC-01056. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/saddichha-2015-stimulants-and-cannabis-use
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.