4. Changes in tobacco use among people with cannabis use disorder treated in programs
Abstract
Many people accessing treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) use multiple substances. The aim of this study was to characterise changes in cannabis and tobacco use amongst people who start cannabis treatment in SUD programmes.
Prospective observational cohort study of participants recruited from 6 SUD programmes in Barcelona, with planned follow-up for 12-months. Inclusion criteria: being a tobacco user, initiating cannabis treatment, ≥18 years, and providing consent. Dependent variables: Tobacco use (yes/no) at each endpoint (baseline, 7 days, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months), monitoring consumption of several tobacco products (i.e., cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, etc.), motivation and willingness to quit smoking; Cannabis use (yes/no), monitoring their pattern of cannabis use and withdrawal symptoms. Independent variables: sociodemographic (e.g., sex, age, educational level) and comorbidities.
To date, 34 participants have been recruited. Participants have a mean age of 36 years and 79% (n =27) are men. 88% (n =22) consumed marihuana, 60% (n =15) hashish and 8% (n =2) both. At baseline, 76% (n =19) were actively consuming cannabis and all consumed tobacco, except for one person who only ‘co-administered’ via joints/spliffs. 6 people were abstinent from cannabis but all consumed tobacco.
This study offers real-world evidence regarding the importance of measuring tobacco use alongside treatment for commonly co-used substances. At the end of the study, foreseen in December 2023, we will be able to characterise changes in tobacco use amongst people with a cannabis SUD and design interventions to promote the cessation of both substances, either simultaneously or consecutively.