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[Commonplace use of "H"]
G Lagrue1, S Cormier, I Vin-Datiche
1Centre de Tabacologie, Policlinique, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil.
Presse Medicale (Paris, France : 1983)
|February 22, 1997
Summary
Nicotine-dependent smokers who used cannabis found that quitting cigarettes led to increased hashish use. Long-term cannabis use poses risks for neuropsychiatric disorders due to tetrahydrocannabinol accumulation.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Neuropsychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Cannabis and tobacco are commonly used substances.
- Nicotine dependence is a prevalent issue.
- Understanding co-use patterns is crucial for effective treatment.
Observation:
- A young couple, both regular smokers and cannabis users, underwent treatment for nicotine withdrawal.
- Following successful cessation of cigarette smoking, their craving for nicotine subsided.
- Concurrently, their consumption of hashish (a form of cannabis) significantly increased.
Findings:
- Cannabis use can increase as a compensatory behavior after nicotine withdrawal.
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis, is lipophilic and slowly eliminated.
- Chronic or even episodic cannabis use may lead to neuropsychiatric disorders due to THC accumulation.
Implications:
- Cannabis use, despite its legal status, is widespread.
- While short-term risks may seem low, the long-term neuropsychiatric risks associated with cannabis use warrant attention.
- Clinicians should consider cannabis use when treating nicotine dependence and be aware of potential increases in cannabis consumption post-cessation.