Is Cannabis Use OK During Alcohol-Dependence Treatment?

In a secondary analysis of data from a treatment study, cannabis use was associated with lower abstinence.

Cannabis use is linked with alcohol use, but the effects of cannabis use remains unclear, including whether it increases or decreases alcohol use. To examine associations between cannabis use and outcomes of treatment for alcohol use disorders, researchers analyzed data from approximately 1200 participants in the multisite, randomized, controlled COMBINE study of treatments for alcohol dependence (mean age, 44; men, 69%; white, 77%; employed, 71%).

At study entry, participants had alcohol dependence but no current drug use other than cannabis or nicotine. Compared with the 999 cannabis abstainers, the 206 cannabis users were younger, less educated, less likely to be female or married/cohabiting, and more likely to have lower income. Analyses…

Reviewing Author

Deborah Cowley, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Katz Family Foundation

Deborah Cowley, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Katz Family Foundation

Is Cannabis Use OK During Alcohol-Dependence Treatment?

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Reviewing Author