Bergmans Rachel S, Yu Christine, Yalavarthi Bhaavna, Xiao Lillian Z, Wegryn-Jones Riley, Summerville Johari, Rajgarhia Sia, Kurtz Vivian, Dell'Imperio Samantha, Bohnert Amy S B, Boehnke Kevin F
Department of Anesthesiology, Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Department of Anesthesiology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2024 Nov 25. doi: 10.1089/can.2024.0135.
Veterans use cannabis as a chronic pain treatment due to a combination of the easing of restrictions and dissatisfaction with care standards. The segregation of medical cannabis from conventional health systems may translate to opportunities and disadvantages that are not well defined. Our study aimed to characterize how Veterans with chronic pain approach using cannabis for symptom management, including product access, developing a treatment plan, and its integration into daily life. We used an interpretive description design and conducted semi-structured interviews with U.S. Veterans in Michigan who had chronic pain; were aged 21 years or older; and (a) used cannabis, (b) were planning to use cannabis, or (c) interested in learning about how cannabis could help with pain. We analyzed deidentified interview transcripts to develop themes that focused on how Veterans approached new and continued use of cannabis for chronic pain management. Participants were Veterans with chronic pain, median age = 50 years ( = 32). Participants described how factors at the individual, relationship, community, and societal levels influenced their interest in and use of cannabis for chronic pain. We identified five main themes: (1) cannabis supports holistic wellness, but there are also undesired effects; (2) medical cannabis requires a personalized treatment approach; (3) Veterans seek expanded access to medical cannabis and more assurance regarding product safety and efficacy; (4) sociopolitical attitudes and advocacy shape medical cannabis acceptability; and (5) the interest in research to inform treatment approaches and facilitate access. This article illustrates how Veterans approached using cannabis for chronic pain management. Findings illuminate the potential value of cannabis for Veterans with chronic pain while also highlighting numerous obstacles and limitations related to its use. There are opportunities for health care providers to support Veterans who are interested in cannabis while research regarding efficacy and safety continues. Future efforts should engage Veterans to collectively work toward a better understanding of cannabis as a pain treatment option.
由于限制的放宽以及对医疗标准的不满，退伍军人将大麻用作慢性疼痛的治疗方法。医用大麻与传统医疗系统的分离可能会带来一些尚不明确的机遇和不利因素。我们的研究旨在描述患有慢性疼痛的退伍军人如何使用大麻进行症状管理，包括产品获取、制定治疗计划以及将其融入日常生活。我们采用了诠释性描述设计，并对密歇根州患有慢性疼痛、年龄在21岁及以上且（a）使用过大麻、（b）计划使用大麻或（c）有兴趣了解大麻如何帮助缓解疼痛的美国退伍军人进行了半结构化访谈。我们分析了去识别化的访谈记录，以形成围绕退伍军人如何开始和持续使用大麻进行慢性疼痛管理的主题。参与者为患有慢性疼痛的退伍军人，年龄中位数为50岁（ = 32）。参与者描述了个人、人际关系、社区和社会层面的因素如何影响他们对大麻用于慢性疼痛的兴趣和使用情况。我们确定了五个主要主题：（1）大麻有助于整体健康，但也有不良影响；（2）医用大麻需要个性化的治疗方法；（3）退伍军人寻求扩大医用大麻的获取途径，并对产品安全性和有效性有更多保障；（4）社会政治态度和宣传塑造了医用大麻的可接受性；（5）对研究的兴趣，以指导治疗方法并促进获取。本文阐述了退伍军人如何使用大麻进行慢性疼痛管理。研究结果揭示了大麻对患有慢性疼痛的退伍军人的潜在价值，同时也突出了与其使用相关的众多障碍和限制。在关于大麻功效和安全性的研究持续进行的同时，医疗保健提供者有机会支持对大麻感兴趣的退伍军人。未来的工作应让退伍军人共同努力，以更好地理解大麻作为一种疼痛治疗选择。
