Brief report: The influence of childhood trauma on the effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in persons with opioid use disorder.
Michael Rogan, Julio C Nunes, Catherine Z Xie, Mehmet Sofuoglu, Brian Pittman, Joao P De Aquino
The American journal on addictions May 1, 2024 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13504 via PubMed
Summary
Childhood trauma is linked to a higher risk of addiction. In a trial where 25 people receiving methadone for opioid use disorder were given oral THC (10 or 20 mg), those with more childhood trauma reported fewer unpleasant effects from the higher 20 mg dose. This reduced aversive response may lead to greater cannabis use in this group, highlighting the need to assess childhood trauma in opioid use disorder treatment and research.
Study at a glance
| Design | randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 25 |
| Population | persons receiving methadone for opioid use disorder |
| Key finding | Greater childhood trauma was associated with lower aversive effects from a higher 20 mg dose of THC in individuals with opioid use disorder. |
Abstract
Childhood trauma (CT) increases addiction vulnerability. We examined CT's impact on delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) effects. This is a post-hoc analysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial investigating the effects of oral THC (10, 20 mg) among 25 persons receiving methadone for opioid use disorder (OUD). Greater CT was associated with lower aversive effects from higher THC doses (20 mg) (p = .006). CT may reduce the subjective aversive effects of THC, potentially leading to greater cannabis use in individuals with OUD. These findings offer insights into THC's risks versus benefits in OUD subgroups and emphasize assessing CT in OUD treatment and research.