A brand new pilot examine from UBC Okanagan and Thompson Rivers College examined how medically supervised hashish use in a residential restoration dwelling could assist individuals in therapy for substance use challenges.
Members reported that hashish helped them handle ache, nervousness, despair and sleep issues-key signs that may complicate restoration.
Our findings recommend medical hashish may play a significant position in lowering cravings and bettering retention in restoration applications.
Members clearly indicated advantages in managing each bodily and psychological challenges throughout restoration.”
Dr. Zach Walsh, psychology professor at UBC Okanagan and co-lead researcher
Customers additionally reported diminished cravings for opioids and different dangerous substances, improved ache administration and enhanced psychological well being and sleep high quality.
Nevertheless, stigma surrounding hashish use stays a major barrier, in response to the analysis.
Workers interviews revealed a necessity for elevated training and higher integration into the hashish therapy strategy.
“Decreasing stigma via focused training for program employees is crucial,” says Dr. Florriann Fehr, co-lead researcher and nursing professor at Thompson Rivers College.
“Workers skepticism usually comes from misunderstandings about hashish as a professional medical therapy, highlighting a transparent alternative for enchancment in restoration assist.”
The examine, lately revealed within the Journal of Research on Alcohol and Medicine, was carried out by researchers from UBC Okanagan and Thompson Rivers College.
This collaboration between establishments in Kelowna and Kamloops sought to raised perceive affected person and employees experiences with medically supervised hashish use in a supportive restoration setting.
It examined affected person and employees experiences at Maverick Supportive Restoration, a residential restoration centre within the BC inside.
Residential restoration centres present structured, live-in environments the place individuals obtain therapy and assist to handle substance use issues.
Whereas the outcomes are promising, researchers emphasize the necessity for larger-scale research to completely assess the advantages and dangers of incorporating medical hashish into substance use restoration applications.
This examine was funded by the Inside Universities Analysis Coalition and the BC Ministry of Well being. Dr. Fehr is to current the findings to the Worldwide Council of Nurses Congress in Helsinki this June.
TRU can be planning the Medical Hashish and Restoration discussion board on Saturday, April 26. The discussion board is open to the general public, health-care professionals and researchers focused on hashish and restoration options.
Supply:
College of British Columbia Okanagan campus
Journal reference:
Fehr, F. C., et al. (2025). Medical Hashish Use Adjunct to Commonplace of Care in a Residential Substance Use Restoration Program: A Pilot Research. Journal of Research on Alcohol and Medicine. doi.org/10.15288/jsad.24-00224.
