Help-seeking behaviours among cannabis consumers in Canada and the United States: Findings from the international cannabis policy study
Background: Little literature exists on what sources of help individuals utilize for cannabis-related problems. The current study examined the percentage of consumers who sought help to manage cannabis-related problems, such as perceived cannabis use disorder, the most common sources of help sought,...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772724624000908 |
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| author | Samantha M. Rundle David Hammond |
| author_facet | Samantha M. Rundle David Hammond |
| author_sort | Samantha M. Rundle |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Little literature exists on what sources of help individuals utilize for cannabis-related problems. The current study examined the percentage of consumers who sought help to manage cannabis-related problems, such as perceived cannabis use disorder, the most common sources of help sought, and factors associated with help-seeking. Methods: Past 12-month cannabis consumers (N = 13,209) completed an online survey from the International Cannabis Policy Study. Past 3-month help-seeking behaviours, respondent’s perceived addiction to cannabis, legal status of cannabis in their jurisdiction, and risky behaviours associated with cannabis use was assessed. Results: A minority sought help from any source (9.2 %) with the most likely being a doctor/physician (44.9 %). Help-seekers were most likely to be younger, mixed race (p = .011), more educated, financially stable, male, and higher perceived addiction to cannabis (all contrasts p < .001). In comparison to consumers in Canada and ‘legal’ US states, respondents in ‘illegal’ US states were more likely to seek help from family and friends (Canada: AOR = 5.73, 2.21–14.91; US: AOR = 4.76, 2.00–11.11) and less likely to seek help from a doctor/physician (Canada: AOR = 0.46, 0.24–0.90; US: AOR = 0.51, 0.27–0.99). Conclusion: Roughly 1 in 10 cannabis consumers sought help from a range of sources, including a third who are at high risk of problematic use. More informal sources of help, such as seeking help from online sources are frequently used. Future research should examine these frontline sources of help for cannabis consumers. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-56ee507f54364f15a3fec0b2960ecadd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2772-7246 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-56ee507f54364f15a3fec0b2960ecadd2024-12-22T05:30:04ZengElsevierDrug and Alcohol Dependence Reports2772-72462025-03-0114100306Help-seeking behaviours among cannabis consumers in Canada and the United States: Findings from the international cannabis policy studySamantha M. Rundle0David Hammond1Correspondence to: School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.; School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 CanadaSchool of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 CanadaBackground: Little literature exists on what sources of help individuals utilize for cannabis-related problems. The current study examined the percentage of consumers who sought help to manage cannabis-related problems, such as perceived cannabis use disorder, the most common sources of help sought, and factors associated with help-seeking. Methods: Past 12-month cannabis consumers (N = 13,209) completed an online survey from the International Cannabis Policy Study. Past 3-month help-seeking behaviours, respondent’s perceived addiction to cannabis, legal status of cannabis in their jurisdiction, and risky behaviours associated with cannabis use was assessed. Results: A minority sought help from any source (9.2 %) with the most likely being a doctor/physician (44.9 %). Help-seekers were most likely to be younger, mixed race (p = .011), more educated, financially stable, male, and higher perceived addiction to cannabis (all contrasts p < .001). In comparison to consumers in Canada and ‘legal’ US states, respondents in ‘illegal’ US states were more likely to seek help from family and friends (Canada: AOR = 5.73, 2.21–14.91; US: AOR = 4.76, 2.00–11.11) and less likely to seek help from a doctor/physician (Canada: AOR = 0.46, 0.24–0.90; US: AOR = 0.51, 0.27–0.99). Conclusion: Roughly 1 in 10 cannabis consumers sought help from a range of sources, including a third who are at high risk of problematic use. More informal sources of help, such as seeking help from online sources are frequently used. Future research should examine these frontline sources of help for cannabis consumers.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772724624000908CannabisHelp-seekingSource of helpCannabis treatmentMarijuana |
| spellingShingle | Samantha M. Rundle David Hammond Help-seeking behaviours among cannabis consumers in Canada and the United States: Findings from the international cannabis policy study Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports Cannabis Help-seeking Source of help Cannabis treatment Marijuana |
| title | Help-seeking behaviours among cannabis consumers in Canada and the United States: Findings from the international cannabis policy study |
| title_full | Help-seeking behaviours among cannabis consumers in Canada and the United States: Findings from the international cannabis policy study |
| title_fullStr | Help-seeking behaviours among cannabis consumers in Canada and the United States: Findings from the international cannabis policy study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Help-seeking behaviours among cannabis consumers in Canada and the United States: Findings from the international cannabis policy study |
| title_short | Help-seeking behaviours among cannabis consumers in Canada and the United States: Findings from the international cannabis policy study |
| title_sort | help seeking behaviours among cannabis consumers in canada and the united states findings from the international cannabis policy study |
| topic | Cannabis Help-seeking Source of help Cannabis treatment Marijuana |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772724624000908 |
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