How Cannabis Laws Affect Mental Health Medications
Episode Overview
Cannabis legalization is linked to reduced benzodiazepine dispensing but increased other psychotropic prescriptions. Higher-than-expected opioid overdose rates among veterans using buprenorphine and extended-release naltrexone. Naloxone stigma is prevalent among non-opioid substance users and those with fewer recovery attempts. Only a small percentage of Australians with AUD receive recommended pharmacotherapy. Public health approaches to suicide prevention should address broad social determinants.
The study suggests that cannabis laws may be significantly associated with the population-level use of prescription drugs to treat mental health disorders
Ever wondered how cannabis laws impact the use of prescription medications for mental health? This episode of 'This Week in Addiction Medicine' dives into a cross-sectional study of over 9 million patients, revealing intriguing connections between cannabis access and the dispensing of medications like benzodiazepines. You'll hear about significant reductions in benzodiazepine use after cannabis legalization, but also an uptick in other psychotropic prescriptions.
The episode doesn’t stop there – it also covers a study on opioid overdose rates among U.S. military veterans, shedding light on the effectiveness of different medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The hosts discuss the higher-than-expected overdose rates for buprenorphine and extended-release naltrexone, emphasising the importance of sustained treatment. If you’re curious about naloxone stigma or want to know more about alcohol pharmacotherapy trends in Australia, this episode has got you covered.
With insights into public health approaches to suicide prevention and the developmental impacts of prenatal substance exposure, this episode is packed with essential information for anyone interested in addiction medicine. Tune in to explore these compelling studies and gain a deeper understanding of the complex landscape of addiction treatment.