Tobacco co-use worsened cannabis withdrawal in both people with and without schizophrenia
Tobacco dependence was associated with more severe cannabis withdrawal symptoms regardless of schizophrenia diagnosis, with the combined effect potentially explaining poor cannabis cessation outcomes in dual users.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis withdrawal severity was worse in tobacco-dependent individuals compared to non-tobacco-dependent individuals. This effect was present in both people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and those without, suggesting tobacco co-use universally complicates cannabis cessation.
Key Numbers
Cannabis withdrawal severity assessed in relation to tobacco dependence. Tobacco-dependent individuals showed worse cannabis withdrawal regardless of schizophrenia diagnosis.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional study examining cannabis withdrawal severity as a function of tobacco dependence status and schizophrenia-spectrum disorder diagnosis.
Why This Research Matters
Most people with cannabis use disorder also use tobacco. If tobacco worsens cannabis withdrawal, addressing both substances simultaneously may be necessary for successful treatment.
The Bigger Picture
Cannabis and tobacco co-use is extremely common but rarely addressed together in treatment. This finding suggests that treating cannabis dependence without addressing tobacco may be undermined by tobacco-related withdrawal exacerbation.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation. Cannabis withdrawal severity was measured at a single point. Cannot determine whether tobacco cessation would improve cannabis withdrawal outcomes. Schizophrenia medication effects on withdrawal not fully controlled.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would concurrent tobacco cessation improve cannabis quit rates?
- ?Does nicotine replacement therapy reduce cannabis withdrawal severity in dual users?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Tobacco dependence worsened cannabis withdrawal regardless of schizophrenia status
- Evidence Grade:
- Cross-sectional study identifying an important clinical association. Cannot prove tobacco caused worse cannabis withdrawal.
- Study Age:
- Published 2023.
- Original Title:
- Does tobacco dependence worsen cannabis withdrawal in people with and without schizophrenia-spectrum disorders?
- Published In:
- The American journal on addictions, 32(4), 367-375 (2023)
- Authors:
- Yeap, Zac J S(2), Marsault, Justine, George, Tony P(23), Mizrahi, Romina, Rabin, Rachel A
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05046
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does smoking cigarettes make it harder to quit cannabis?
This study found tobacco dependence was associated with worse cannabis withdrawal symptoms. Since withdrawal severity predicts relapse, tobacco co-use may indeed make quitting cannabis harder. Addressing both substances in treatment could improve outcomes.
Is cannabis withdrawal different in people with schizophrenia?
Cannabis use disorder is more common in people with schizophrenia, but this study found the tobacco-worsening effect on cannabis withdrawal was similar regardless of schizophrenia diagnosis. This suggests tobacco co-use is a universal complicating factor for cannabis cessation.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05046APA
Yeap, Zac J S; Marsault, Justine; George, Tony P; Mizrahi, Romina; Rabin, Rachel A. (2023). Does tobacco dependence worsen cannabis withdrawal in people with and without schizophrenia-spectrum disorders?. The American journal on addictions, 32(4), 367-375. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.13394
MLA
Yeap, Zac J S, et al. "Does tobacco dependence worsen cannabis withdrawal in people with and without schizophrenia-spectrum disorders?." The American journal on addictions, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.13394
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Does tobacco dependence worsen cannabis withdrawal in people..." RTHC-05046. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/yeap-2023-does-tobacco-dependence-worsen
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.