For the first time in history, young US women are using more cannabis than men, confirmed by retail and government sources. Legalization and dispensaries have increased, along with the potency of THC, the main psychoactive component in the cannabis plant producing the “high”.
“Women aged 19 to 30 surpassed men of the same age in cannabis consumption for the first time in 2023, according to a survey by the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)…Out of a dozen regular female cannabis consumers interviewed by Reuters, the majority cited mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression as their primary reason for usage. To be sure, there is little evidence to suggest canna-bis can help with those issues” (1).
Indeed, people experiencing depression, anxiety, even psychosis are also much more likely to use cannabis, and to develop cannabis use disorder, and the outcomes of treatment in people using cannabis are worse. Even in people with no prior mental health problems, and despite the wide-spread belief that cannabis is a safe drug, cannabis use can be associated with devastating occurrences of new mental health challenges, including psychosis. In young people, cannabis use can trigger a life-long chronic illness such as schizophrenia, and there is evidence that both bipolar disease, depression and anxiety can in fact be exacerbated by cannabis in the medium and long-term.
At WestBridge, we have a long history of treating adults experiencing thought and mood disorders and co-occurring cannabis use disorder. Interventions that we find particularly helpful include treating both disorders concomitantly, establishing a strong therapeutic alliance, using motivational enhancement, developing coping skills for trigger management, treating with an appropriate psychopharmacological regimen for stabilizing mood, psychosis and cravings, involving families in treatment to increase motivation and support and offer supported employment services as soon as participant is able to consider work or education.
With the right supports, adults experiencing serious mental illness and sub-stance use disorders can thrive.
For More Information:
1. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/breaking-grass-ceiling-pot-firms-rethink-strategy-young-women-lead-cannabis-use-2024-10-22/
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/cannabis-use-disorder