title: Barriers and facilitators to cannabis treatment.
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.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. p.gates@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Copeland
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Swift
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000628:therapy*; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D013240:Stereotyping