Study highlights benefits of cannabis in pain, anxiety, and withdrawal control in residential treatment centers

A recent study investigated the effects of medicinal cannabis on the recovery of substance abusers at Maverick Supportive Recovery, a residential recovery center located in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. The facility provides a structured and supportive environment where patients receive ongoing support to address substance-related disorders.

According to participants, supervised use of medicinal cannabis helped alleviate symptoms such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders — factors that often hinder the recovery process. Additionally, many reported a reduction in the desire to consume opioids and other harmful substances, as well as significant improvements in pain control, mental health, and sleep quality.

Published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, the study was conducted by researchers from UBC Okanagan and Thompson Rivers University. The aim was to understand how patients and healthcare professionals experience the use of medicinal cannabis in a medically supervised recovery environment.

Dr. Zach Walsh, a psychology professor at UBC Okanagan and co-author of the study, states: “Our findings suggest that medicinal cannabis may play a significant role in reducing the urge to smoke and improving retention in recovery programs. Participants clearly indicated benefits in managing physical and psychological challenges during recovery”.

Stigma and lack of information are still obstacles

Despite the positive results, the research highlights that social stigma still represents a significant barrier to the therapeutic use of cannabis. Interviews with healthcare professionals revealed an urgent need for more education and integration of cannabis into treatment protocols.

Dr. Florriann Fehr, lead researcher and nursing professor at Thompson Rivers University, emphasizes: “Reducing stigma through targeted education for program staff is essential. Staff skepticism often stems from misunderstandings about cannabis as a legitimate medical treatment, highlighting a clear opportunity for improvement in recovery support”.

Need for broader studies on cannabis and recovery

Researchers emphasize that, although the results are promising, larger-scale studies are needed to more accurately assess the benefits and risks of using medicinal cannabis in recovery programs.

Originally Published Content at CannabisHealth