title: The impact of posttraumatic stress disorder on cannabis quit success.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Though a growing number of US Veterans are being diagnosed with cannabis use disorders, with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) observed as the most frequently co-occurring psychiatric disorder among this population, no research has investigated the impact of PTSD diagnosis on cannabis quit success.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study sought to determine the impact of PTSD on cannabis use following a self-guided quit attempt.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants included 104, primarily male, cannabis-dependent US Veterans (Mage = 50.90 years, SDage = 9.90). The study design was prospective and included an assessment immediately prior to the quit attempt, and assessments weekly for the first 4 weeks post-quit, and then monthly through 6 months post-quit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated that PTSD diagnosis was not associated with time to first lapse or relapse. However, individuals with PTSD used more cannabis at baseline and evidenced a slower initial decline in cannabis use immediately following the quit attempt. All findings were significant after accounting for alcohol and tobacco use across the cessation period, as well as co-occurring mood and anxiety disorder diagnoses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings highlight the potential utility of interventions for individuals with cannabis use disorder and co-occurring PTSD, particularly early in a cessation attempt.
authors.affiliation: National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System , CA , USA .
authors.forename: Marcel O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Bonn-Miller
authors.forename: Rudolf H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Moos
authors.forename: Matthew Tyler
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Boden
authors.forename: W Robert
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kimerling
authors.forename: Jodie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Trafton
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Cannabis; cessation; marijuana; posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)