Cannabis as PTSD Medicine among Recent Veterans in New York City

• In Event: 156 - Section on Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco Paper Session. Social and Contextual Dimensions of Substance Abuse

Abstract

This paper presents original data from interviews with veterans of recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan about their use of cannabis as a coping tool for dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Several prior studies indicate that, for some, cannabis can be an efficacious means of treating PTSD-related sleep disorders, including nightmares. Other reports suggest that veterans are self-medicating with cannabis for a far greater range of PTSD symptoms. This paper presents a range of purported mental health benefits as reported during in-depth interviews and focus groups by 40 predominantly Black and Latino, low-income veterans of the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Veterans’ comparisons between cannabis, alcohol, and psychopharmaceuticals tended to highlight advantages to cannabis use. These narratives suggested that cannabis could be part of an active, approach-based coping strategy that aids with introspection and direct confrontation of the sources of personal trauma. For others, however, cannabis use appeared to be part of a less-productive, avoidant coping strategy involving recreational use and/or dependence. Some self-reports could not easily be assigned to dichotomous coping categories, as they suggested a form of use grounded in symptom alleviation but not necessarily a more active confrontation of the sources of trauma. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms by which marijuana may be able to potentially help some veterans coping with PTSD. The findings provide partial support for existing calls for further research into effective and safe professionally supported treatment protocols that incorporate cannabis use.

Authors

• Luther C. Elliott, National Development and Research Institutes

• Andrew Golub, National Development and Research Institutes

• Alex S. Bennett, National Development and Research Institutes

• Honoria Guarino, National Development and Research Institutes