Female weed smokers at high risk of failing addiction treatments

Washington D.C. [USA], Mar. 30 (ANI): A new study has suggested that the use of cannabis may impact treatment in women undergoing methadone treatment therapy. Researchers from McMaster University and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton have found that women in methadone treatment who use cannabis are 82 per cent more likely to continue using opioids. This means that women who use cannabis are at high risk of failing methadone treatment. "About 60 per cent of men and 44 per cent of women who are undergoing methadone treatment therapy also use cannabis," said senior author Zena Samaan. "Tailoring treatment to the patient's sex can help us to assess the patient's risk better and deliver more accurate, personalized treatment." These findings could influence the way in which women diagnosed with opioid use disorder are treated. "As cannabis use seems to be a predictor for continuing opioid use despite treatment with methadone, clinicians should screen for cannabis and use these screening results to better plan treatment and resource allocation," said Samaan. The study is published online in Biology of Sex Differences. (ANI)