Implementation of Cannabis Care Increased Diagnosis of Cannabis Use Disorder in Primary Care Practices

Integration of screening, assessment, and treatment for cannabis and other drug use disorders in primary care- an evaluation in three pilot sites

In Summary

A recent study has revealed that by implementing care for cannabis into primary care practices diagnoses for cannabis use disorder. The implementation of these practices also led to an increase of screening for cannabis and other drug use, the diagnosis of other substance use disorders, and treatment for substance use disorders. The continued evaluation of these new practices may aid other primary care practices to develop their own methods to more accurately diagnose and treat substance use disorders.

By implementing such diagnostic practices and awareness into physicians offices we begin to normalize cannabis use. Normalizing cannabis within our society will hopefully decrease the current stigma enough to allow patients to be more forthcoming about their cannabis use and allow for better treatment methods and research to be conducted. Misdiagnosis or issues with treatment and sedation often arise due to unknown cannabis use so allowing patients to feel more comfortable when discussing drug use with their physicians should improve diagnostic practices and treatment.