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Home » Key Research Articles

Barriers and facilitators to cannabis treatment

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PETER GATES, JAN COPELAND, WENDY SWIFT, GREG MARTIN
Drug and Alcohol Review, Volume 31, Issue 3, pages 311–319, May 2012

Abstract

Introduction and Aims.Despite its continued widespread use, relatively few individuals with cannabis use disorders present to treatment services. There is a dearth of research examining the reasons for this observed underutilisation of treatment. The aim of this paper is to examine barriers and facilitators to entry into cannabis treatment.

Design and Methods.Three surveys of regular cannabis users in treatment (n = 100), in the community (n = 100) and from a widespread Internet sample (n = 294).

Results.Perceived barriers included: not being aware of treatment options; thinking treatment is unnecessary; not wanting to stop using cannabis; and wanting to avoid the stigma associated with accessing treatment. Perceived facilitators included: improving available information on treatment; keeping treatment specific to cannabis; offering additional services, such as telephone support; and simplifying treatment admission processes.

Discussion and Conclusions.Participant’s perceptions differed significantly depending on their age, gender and treatment status. Participants in treatment typically reported barriers intrinsic to the individual while participants from the community reported barriers relating to the treatment available. Reported facilitators were more homogenous and most commonly related to availability of information.[Gates P, Copeland J, Swift W, Martin G. Barriers and facilitators to cannabis treatment. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:311–319]

Copyright © 1999–2013 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Additional Information

NCPIC Logo RGBThe National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre’s (NCPIC) mission is to prevent and reduce the use of, and problems related to, cannabis in Australia. The Centre provides the community, in particular young people, with high quality, evidence-based information on cannabis use, and helps to build the capacity of treatment providers to respond to cannabis users and their families. The Centre was officially opened in 2008 and is funded by the Australian Government. It has a website (www.ncpic.org.au), provides free clinical training on cannabis-related issues and has a free helpline (1800 30 40 50).