Medicinal cannabis helps veterans reduce substance use

Medicinal cannabis: A beacon of hope for veterans

Recent research has shed light on the transformative effects of medicinal cannabis on the lives of veterans. The study, which delved into the experiences of over 500 US military veterans, revealed that medicinal cannabis not only enhances their quality of life but also curtails the use of other substances, including alcohol and prescription medications.

The veterans' struggle

As of 2020, the US was home to 19 million veterans. Alarmingly, data suggests that nearly 3.9 million of these veterans grapple with mental health issues or substance use disorders. Government statistics paint a grim picture: almost one-third suffer from depression, a quarter battle anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), one in five struggle with alcohol use disorder, and nearly one in 12 are ensnared in opioid use disorder.

Study insights

The study, which was featured in the journal Clinical Therapeutics, engaged 510 veterans from March to December 2019. These veterans were coping with a myriad of mental and physical health challenges. The most frequently reported health issues were chronic pain (38%), PTSD (26%), anxiety (9%), and depression (5%). A significant portion of the participants consumed cannabis daily, primarily to cut down on other prescription and over-the-counter medications, such as antidepressants and anti-inflammatories.

Cannabis: A catalyst for improved quality of life

An overwhelming 91% of the participants attested that cannabis ushered in a 'greater quality of life'. Many reported a decline in alcohol consumption (46%), reduced medication intake (45%), decreased tobacco use (24%), and a drop in opioid usage (21%) due to their medicinal cannabis regimen.

Demographic differences in cannabis use

The study also highlighted certain demographic patterns. Black veterans, female veterans, those living with chronic pain, or those who had seen active combat were more inclined to express a wish to decrease their prescription medication intake.

Conclusions and implications

The researchers observed, "Participants’ cannabis use positively affected the treatment or management of several health conditions and symptoms." Many respondents echoed that medicinal cannabis facilitated a better quality of life, fewer psychological symptoms, diminished physical symptoms, and led to reduced consumption of alcohol, medications, tobacco, and opioids.

The authors fervently appeal to stakeholders, including clinicians, government bodies, and fellow academic researchers, to acknowledge the evidence that champions cannabis as a strategy to mitigate unwanted medication use among the veteran community. This could also be instrumental in addressing the opioid crisis. They assert, "The present findings indicate that medicinal cannabis can potentially play a harm-reduction role, helping veterans to use fewer pharmaceutical medications and other substances."

For a comprehensive understanding, you can delve into the full study.