This presentation will help participants understand how cannabis affects mental health and why people with mental health difficulties use this drug. We will explore options for supporting cannabis users in social service settings.
Cannabis is more available across North America than ever before and there are many misconceptions about the effects of this drug on mental health. Participants will receive an overview of the research examining the relation between cannabis and stress, trauma, common health difficulties, and a variety of mental health concerns.
This overview will lead into material on clinical assessment, education, treatment, and harm reduction strategies with cannabis consumers. Material will cover topics including the effects of cannabis use on stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, pain, anger, psychosis, and more. There will be implications for engagement, education, applying evidence-informed therapies for cannabis use disorder, and relapse prevention.
https://frumtherapist.com/workshops/CannabisanApril172/viewCannabis and Mental Health
Previously Recorded
Presenter: Amar Ghelani MSW RSW PhD Candidate
Course Length: 3 Hours
This workshop Offers 3 Continuing Education Credits
This webinar is recorded and will not grant live credits.
This presentation will help participants understand how cannabis affects mental health and why people with mental health difficulties use this drug. We will explore options for supporting cannabis users in social service settings.
Cannabis is more available across North America than ever before and there are many misconceptions about the effects of this drug on mental health. Participants will receive an overview of the research examining the relation between cannabis and stress, trauma, common health difficulties, and a variety of mental health concerns.
This overview will lead into material on clinical assessment, education, treatment, and harm reduction strategies with cannabis consumers. Material will cover topics including the effects of cannabis use on stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, pain, anger, psychosis, and more. There will be implications for engagement, education, applying evidence-informed therapies for cannabis use disorder, and relapse prevention.
Part one - 80 minutes
Introduction: what do you want to learn?
What is cannabis? Indica, Sativa, Hybrids and strain names
THC vs CBD
THC: Effects
Use, abuse, dependence, and disorder
CBD: Effects
CBD: safety profile, potential therapeutic uses
Products available in a legal market
Breakout room discussion: Why do people use cannabis? (7 minutes)
Trauma and Cannabis use: Research review
Cannabis, stress, and anxiety
Cannabis, anger and aggression
Cannabis and sleep disturbance
Cannabis and physical pain management
Cannabis and depression
Cannabis and suicidal ideation
Cannabis and psychosis
Cannabis, diversity and anti-oppressive practice
Break - 20 minutes
Part 2 - 80 minutes
Common reasons for cannabis users accessing mental health services
Barriers to accessing services: denial, discrimination, perceptions of harmlessness, stigma, racism
Importance of engagement
Breakout rooms: What would you want to know about a cannabis user in a mental health setting? What questions would you ask? (7 minutes)
Assessment: clinically validated assessment tools
Assessment: unstructured methods to gather essential information
Education: what people with cannabis related problems need to know
Difficulties in treatment: low rates of abstinence
Treating concurrent trauma, mental health, and cannabis use disorders
Treating cannabis related psychosis – role of medication
Stages of change and Motivational interviewing
Evidence based treatments: CBT, DBT, Contingency Management, Motivational Enhancement
Harm reduction strategies
Relapse prevention
Conclusion