Perceptions and Use of Alcohol and Medical Cannabis among Canadian Military Veterans Living with PTSD
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22158064 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Maryellen Gibson (0000-0002-9408-0720, University of Saskatchewan, corresponding author), Linzi Williamson (0000-0001-7515-5961, University of Saskatchewan), Gerald Henwood (Honam Theological University and Seminary), Darlene Chalmers (0000-0003-2429-8801, University of Regina), Colleen Anne Dell (0000-0003-4216-1606, University of Saskatchewan) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 59-70 |
| Publication date | 2021-03-24 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Veterans Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2470-4768 • E-ISSN: 2470-4768 |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech Libraries (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.21061/jvs.v7i1.200 |
| OpenAlex | W3141227427 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 8 |
| References cited | 29 |
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychiatric diagnosis among Canadian military veterans, and alcohol and medical cannabis are commonly used by this group to cope with PTSD symptoms. This paper is part of a larger study that examined a cohort of 5 veterans, over a 1-year period, who used both medical cannabis and alcohol and were matched with a PTSD service dog. This paper compares the perceptions and use of alcohol and medical cannabis among the veterans to cope with their PTSD symptoms and outlines key implications. Semi-structured interviews offer insight into similarities and differences between the veterans’ perceptions and use of the two substances. Both substances are used by the veterans to manage their PTSD symptoms, typically worsening them if used in excess. Medical cannabis is a prescribed medication; however, it is perceived by the veterans to be associated with a negative discourse and in particular stigma. This is not the case for alcohol. The veterans identified alcohol use as more influenced by social norms and perceived it as more of a concern for addiction compared to medical cannabis. This did not, however, appear to impact the level of alcohol use. These findings offer unique insight into the military culture’s general acceptance of alcohol but not medical cannabis use. This has possible implications for veterans’ use of alcohol and/or medical cannabis to help manage their PTSD symptoms
Addiction · Alcohol · Alcohol use disorder · Cannabis · Military personnel · Military service · Perception · Psychiatry · Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
Loneliness and cannabis use among older adults
Exploring the role of service dogs for Canadian military Veterans experiencing suicidality
Stigma and Stereotyping of Veterans who May Benefit from a Psychiatric Service Dog
Examining Changes in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Substance Use Among a Sample of Canadian Veterans Working with Service Dogs
Stigma and Stereotyping of Veterans who May Benefit from a Psychiatric Service Dog
Weeding Out the Stigma
Benefits and Challenges of Having a Service Dog Among Veterans in Recovery from Substance Use Harms
The Effects of Stigma
Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies
Examining Changes in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Substance Use Among a Sample of Canadian Veterans Working with Service Dogs
Cannabis as a substitute for alcohol and other drugs
Destigmatizing Alcohol Dependence
Military Veterans and Service Dogs
| Citations per year | 1.6 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2021 - 2024 (4) |
| Highly cited | No |