Exploring the experience of psychotic symptoms caused by prolonged Cannabis use in adults : insights for social work intervention

Abstract

A prevalence of psychosis among individuals with Prolonged Cannabis Use (PCU) has been noted in extensive research. However, do we really know which factors influence the initiation or continuum of Cannabis Use (CU)? This research study attempts to explore these factors and seeks to investigate the lived experiences of psychotic episodes that occur in adults with PCU and its repercussions later on in life. This will be done by exploring further how psychotic symptoms of CU manifest themselves in the participants’ daily lives.

Research participants in this qualitative study were recruited through a purposive sampling method. The eligibility criteria for the recruitment of participants was based upon being over 18 years of age, on having had a history of PCU apart from PDU, had or are still experiencing psychotic symptoms and sought professional help for substance abuse. Audio-recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted. A thematic analysis was then used to identify the themes and understand the lived experience that the research participants had of PCU. Findings elicited from my study indicate that the use of legal substances, friend’s, family’s and partner’s influence all contributed to the initiation or continuum of CU, apart from hard drugs.

In addition, extensive commonalities with regards to psychotic symptoms were found amongst participants, however the meaning they attribute to their experiences is unique to each participant. Even though CU had acted as a ‘gateway drug’ for all participants, some of them do not regret reaching rock bottom, as through professional help and their family’s support, they managed to re-build their life. The psychotic symptoms identified throughout the four interviews were based on paranoia and social withdrawal, hallucinations and delusions, cognitive impairment and mental health problems.

Despite this, the precise nature of the association between cannabis and psychosis remains unclear as to whether CU precipitates psychosis, whether it is a form of self-medication, or whether the link between cannabis and psychosis is the result of other substance use.