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The role of cannabis in pain management among people living with HIV who use drugs: A qualitative study Koharu Loulou Chayama 1 2, Jenna Valleriani 1 2, Cara Ng 1, Rebecca Haines-Saah 3, Rielle Capler 1 2, M-J Milloy 1 2, Will Small 1 4, Ryan McNeil 1 5 6 Affiliations expand

• PMID: 33843074

• PMCID: PMC8580359 (available on 2022-11-01)

• DOI: 10.1111/dar.13294

Abstract

Introduction: People living with HIV who use drugs commonly experience chronic pain and often use illicit opioids to manage pain. Recent research suggests people living with HIV use cannabis for pain relief, including as an adjunct to opioids. This underscores the need to better understand how people living with HIV who use drugs use cannabis for pain management, particularly as cannabis markets are undergoing changes due to cannabis legalisation.

Methods: From September 2018 to April 2019, we conducted in-depth interviews with 25 people living with HIV who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada to examine experiences using cannabis to manage pain. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and coded. Themes were identified using inductive and deductive approaches.

Results: Most participants reported that using cannabis for pain management helped improve daily functioning. Some participants turned to cannabis as a supplement or periodic alternative to prescription and illicit drugs (e.g. benzodiazepines, opioids) used to manage pain and related symptoms. Nonetheless, participants' access to legal

cannabis was limited and most continued to obtain cannabis from illicit sources, which provided access to cannabis that was free or deemed to be affordable.

Discussion and conclusions: Cannabis use may lead to reduced use of prescription and illicit drugs for pain management among some people living with HIV who use drugs. Our findings add to growing calls for additional research on the role of cannabis in pain management and harm reduction, and suggest the need for concrete efforts to ensure equitable access to cannabis.

Keywords: HIV; cannabis; drug use; pain.

© 2021 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.

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Publication types

• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural o o o

• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't o o o

MeSH terms

• Analgesics, Opioid o o o

• Cannabis* o o o

• Chronic Pain* / drug therapy o o o

• HIV Infections* / complications o o o

• Humans o o o

• Pain Management o o o

Substances

• Analgesics, Opioid o o o

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Grant support

• U01-DA0251525/Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research • R01 DA044181/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States • R01 DA043408/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States

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