• Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Aug 2018

    Observational Study

    Cannabis Use in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury or Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Colorado.

    • Lenore A Hawley, Jessica M Ketchum, Clare Morey, Kathleen Collins, and Susan Charlifue.
    • Research Department, Craig Hospital, Englewood, Colorado. Electronic address: lhawley@craighospital.org.
    • Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2018 Aug 1; 99 (8): 1584-1590.

    ObjectivesTo describe the prevalence of cannabis use in an adult sample with spinal cord injury (SCI) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Colorado, and to describe the self-reported reasons and side effects of cannabis use in this sample.DesignMixed-methods observational study, using focus group data and telephone survey.SettingCommunity.ParticipantsColorado adults who sustained SCI or moderate to severe TBI and received services through Craig Hospital.InterventionsNone.Main Outcome MeasuresSurvey.ResultsFocus group participants identified issues that were then included in the survey development. Seventy percent of the 116 participants surveyed reported cannabis use before their injury (67% SCI, 74% TBI) and 48% reported use after their injury (53% SCI, 45% TBI). Overall, the most common reason for use was recreational (67%), followed by reducing stress/anxiety (62.5%) and improving sleep (59%). Among the respondents with SCI, the most common reasons for use were to reduce spasticity (70%), recreation (63%), and to improve sleep (63%). Among those with TBI, reasons endorsed were recreational (72%), reducing stress/anxiety (62%), and improving sleep (55%). Smoking was the most common method of use.ConclusionsA majority of this sample reported using cannabis before injury, and approximately half reported using cannabis after injury. Both groups reported recreational use, whereas the group with SCI also highly endorsed using cannabis to address chronic medical conditions. Clinicians should be aware of the high prevalence of cannabis use in these populations and the impact such use may have on the individual's medical management. Further research in this area is needed.Copyright © 2018 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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