Motives for Recreational Cannabis Use among Mental Health Professionals

ABSTRACT

Background: Mental health professionals provide therapeutic services for cannabis users with psychosocial difficulties, though little is known about cannabis use among the professionals. This study investigated motivations for cannabis use among Canadian mental health professionals and addresses stigma toward cannabis users.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative design informed by phenomenological analysis was utilized. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample (n = 7) of registered social workers, nurses, and psychotherapists who provide mental health services with cannabis users.

Results: The professionals reported using cannabis to enhance relaxation, sleep, enjoyment, social experiences, cognition, and alleviate specific health concerns. Some paradoxically described increased anxiety, sleep disturbance, and impaired cognition after use. All discussed the risks associated with use and individualized effects of the drug.

Conclusions: Motivations for cannabis use among the professionals in this study were similar to those described by adult Canadians in previous research, though perceptions of risk were more expansive. Factors contributing to use differed from other studies examining substance use among health professionals. Should cannabis-consuming professionals seek mental health or addiction support, interventions focused on the identified themes may be beneficial.

KEYWORDS:

• Cannabis
• motivation
• mental Health
• marijuana

Disclosure statement

The author declares no conflict of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

Ethics

Research included in this manuscript has received approval from the Wilfrid Laurier University Research Ethics Board.

Originality

The following is original work, has not been previously published, and is not being under consideration at another journal.

Data availability statement

Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publically, so supporting data are not available.

Additional information

Funding

This research is financially supported by the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Scholarship, and TD Bank Financial Group Academic Development Fund.