Experience of adjunctive cannabis use for chronic non-cancer pain: Findings from the Pain and Opioids IN Treatment (POINT) study

Louisa Degenhardt; Nicholas Lintzeris; Gabrielle Campbell; Raimondo Bruno; Milton Cohen; Michael Farrell; Wayne D Hall

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.11.031

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Experience of adjunctive cannabis use for chronic non-cancer pain: Findings from the Pain and Opioids IN Treatment (POINT) study

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Experience of adjunctive cannabis use for chronic non-cancer pain: Findings from the Pain and Opioids IN Treatment (POINT) study

Louisa Degenhardt, Nicholas Lintzeris, Gabrielle Campbell, Raimondo Bruno, Milton Cohen, Michael Farrell and Wayne D Hall

Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Vol.147, pp.144-150

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.11.031

PMID: 25533893

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.11.031View

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Abstract

Pharmaceutical opioids

Cannabis

Medical cannabis use

Australia

Chronic pain

There is increasing debate about cannabis use for medical purposes, including for symptomatic treatment of chronic pain. We investigated patterns and correlates of cannabis use in a large community sample of people who had been prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. The POINT study included 1514 people in Australia who had been prescribed pharmaceutical opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. Data on cannabis use, ICD-10 cannabis use disorder and cannabis use for pain were collected. We explored associations between demographic, pain and other patient characteristics and cannabis use for pain. One in six (16%) had used cannabis for pain relief, 6% in the previous month. A quarter reported that they would use it for pain relief if they had access. Those using cannabis for pain on average were younger, reported greater pain severity, greater interference from and poorer coping with pain, and more days out of role in the past year. They had been prescribed opioids for longer, were on higher opioid doses, and were more likely to be non-adherent with their opioid use. Those using cannabis for pain had higher pain interference after controlling for reported pain severity. Almost half (43%) of the sample had ever used cannabis for recreational purposes, and 12% of the entire cohort met criteria for an ICD-10 cannabis use disorder. Cannabis use for pain relief purposes appears common among people living with chronic non-cancer pain, and users report greater pain relief in combination with opioids than when opioids are used alone.

Details

Title: Experience of adjunctive cannabis use for chronic non-cancer pain: Findings from the Pain and Opioids IN Treatment (POINT) study
Authors: Louisa Degenhardt (Author) - UNSW Australia
Nicholas Lintzeris (Author) - University of Sydney
Gabrielle Campbell (Author) - UNSW Australia
Raimondo Bruno (Author) - UNSW Australia
Milton Cohen (Author) - UNSW Australia
Michael Farrell (Author) - UNSW Australia
Wayne D Hall (Author) - University of Queensland
Publication details: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Vol.147, pp.144-150
Publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.11.031
ISSN: 1879-0046
PMID: 25533893
Organisation Unit: School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99472501502621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Psychiatry; Substance Abuse

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