Lead: Cannabis Use Disorder Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations and 5-Year MortalityLead: Cannabis Use Disorder Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations and 5-Year Mortality
This Week in Addiction Medicine from ASAM
This episode discusses the increased mortality risk for those with hospital-based care for cannabis use disorder and its broader implications.
6:05•19 Feb 2025
Cannabis Use Disorder: Hospital Visits and Mortality Risks Explored
Episode Overview
- Hospital-based care for CUD increases mortality risk by 2.8 times.
- Cannabis legalization linked to higher schizophrenia diagnoses.
- Opioid withdrawal symptoms involve complex neurobiology.
- A new MME calculator aims to standardise opioid dose comparisons.
- Public health approaches are crucial for effective drug policy.
“Individuals with incident hospital-based care for CUD were at a 2.8-fold increased risk of death within five years relative to the general population”
Ever wondered about the risks associated with cannabis use disorder (CUD)? This episode of 'This Week in Addiction Medicine' dives into a study from JAMA Network Open that examined the five-year mortality rate among individuals who required hospital-based care for CUD. With a cohort of 11.6 million people, the study found a staggering 2.8-fold increase in the risk of death within five years for those treated for CUD compared to the general population.
This raises critical questions about the long-term impacts of cannabis use and the importance of early intervention and treatment. But that's not all. The episode also touches on another intriguing study from JAMA Network Open, which explores the link between cannabis legalization and schizophrenia diagnoses in Canada. It turns out that the rate of schizophrenia diagnoses associated with CUD increased significantly post-legalization, suggesting that the mental health implications of cannabis use need serious consideration in policy-making.
Listeners will also hear about the complexities of opioid use disorder (OUD) and its relationship with hyperalgesia and hyperkatifia. The episode reviews how dynorphin and kappa opioid receptor systems might be targeted to address these painful withdrawal symptoms, offering hope for better treatment options in the future.
Lastly, the episode covers various other studies, including one on the development of a new morphine milligram equivalent calculator and another on the need for a public health-focused approach to drug policy in the U.S. These discussions are vital for anyone interested in addiction medicine, policy, and treatment advancements. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of these pressing issues and why they matter.
Whether you're a healthcare professional, someone affected by addiction, or just curious about the latest research, this episode has something for you.
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