Abstract
A common misperception about cannabis use is that it is no more dangerous than alcohol. Legally acquired recreational cannabis in particular is often viewed as safe. However, many studies suggest an association between self-harm and cannabis use although this is a complicated relationship with numerous moderating variables and confounds. This chapter reviews the literature on this topic, noting that it is almost exclusively correlational in nature, and even studies using similar methodologies have disparate findings. Despite this, there are convincing findings that suggest psychiatrists and other mental health providers should be aware of the potential relationship between cannabis use and self-harm, as its use may make some uses more impulsive. Data from suicides in Colorado are reviewed, indicating a significant increase in those positive for cannabis at the time of death after recreational cannabis became legal. Recommendations about treatment approaches are made.
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Dunn, T. (2022). Self-Harm and Cannabis Use. In: Riggs, P., Thant, T. (eds) Cannabis in Psychiatric Practice. Psychiatry Update, vol 3. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04874-6_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04874-6_13
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