Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines for Psychosis

 

Background/Contexte:  

The Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines for Psychosis (LRCUG-PSYCH) are evidence-based recommendations for reducing psychosis-related risks when using cannabis. The guidelines aim to empower individuals to understand the potential risks related to their cannabis use and to make choices about their consumption to help reduce their individual risk of psychotic outcomes. The LRCUG-PSYCH were developed by a team of international health and addiction experts and are based on a comprehensive review and evidence grading of scientific literature on cannabis use and its associations with the development, course, and outcomes of psychosis. The LRCUG-PSYCH were published in the Journal of Dual Diagnosis in 2023 and consist of 11 core public health oriented recommendations.  

Les Recommandations pour l’usage du cannabis à moindre risque dans le cas de psychoses (RUCMR-PSYCH) sont des recommandations fondées sur des données probantes visant à réduire les risques de psychose liés à la consommation de cannabis. Elles visent à donner aux individus les moyens de comprendre les risques potentiels liés à leur consommation de cannabis et de faire des choix quant à leur consommation afin de réduire le risque individuel d'effets psychotiques indésirables. Ces recommandations ont été élaborées par des experts internationaux en toxicomanie et en santé et sont fondées sur un examen exhaustif d’études et du classement de la littérature scientifique sur la consommation de cannabis et ses liens avec le développement, l’évolution et les risques de psychose. Les RUCMR-PSCYH ont été publiés dans le Journal of Dual Diagnosis en 2023 et comprennent 11 recommandations orientées vers la santé publique.

Who are the LRCUG-PSYCH for/À qui s’adressent les RUCMR-PSYCH?  

The LRCUG-PSYCH are a public mental health resource for psychosis-related education, prevention, and harm reduction for non-medical cannabis use. The guidelines are for:  

Les RUCMR-PSYCH servent de ressource en santé mentale publique pour l’éducation, la prévention et les soins liés à la psychose, ainsi que pour la réduction des risques dans le cas de la consommation de cannabis non médical. Ces recommandations s’adressent à :

• Toute personne qui consomme fréquemment du cannabis ou qui envisage de le faire;
• Les personnes ayant des antécédents de psychose ou qui présentent un risque élevé de développer une psychose;
• Les cliniciens, les professionnels, les organisations ou les organismes gouvernementaux qui visent à améliorer la santé des gens qui consomment du cannabis.

LRCUG-PSYCH Materials/Matériel RUCMR-PSYCH:

Website link: www.cannabis-psychose.ca /Lien du site web: www.cannabis-psychose.ca

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1. RUCMR-PSYCH Données Probantes

• Cette ressource résume les preuves scientifiques des 11 recommandations.
  
• Public cible: professionnels de la santé, organisations et entités gouvernementales
  
• Télécharger: Anglais et français (versions web et imprimée)
  

2. RUCMR-PSYCH Brochure

• Cette ressource résume les 11 recommandations des lignes directrices publiées.
  
• Public cible: Public, y compris les personnes qui consomment du cannabis
  
• Télécharger: Anglais et français (versions web et imprimée)
  

The Cannabis & Psychosis Clinical Toolkit/Cannabis et psychose: boîte à outils clinique 

In addition to the guidelines, a suite of resources have been developed to support awareness, education and implementation of the LRCUG-PSYCH in community and clinical settings. All tools will be available in both English and French and can be used as online or printed formats.  

1. Cannabis & Psychosis: Harm reduction posters 

• These posters are a resource for clinicians and health professionals. They can be used as an environmental cue that encourages open, non-judgmental conversations between clinicians and their clients about cannabis use.  
• Target Audience: Clinicians  
  
• Download: We Won’t Pass Judgements; English and French (web and print) 
  
• Know Your Options; English and French (web and print) 

• This resource is designed to help individuals at high-risk of psychosis understand and weigh their options in managing their cannabis use. Through a series of reflection exercises, the tool encourages individuals to explore how and why they use cannabis, their unique goals, and determine the best course of action forward in their consumption. It was developed in collaboration with people with lived/living experience of cannabis induced psychosis and is intended to complement clinical care and counselling. 
  
• Target Audience: Individuals consuming cannabis who have a history of, or are at an elevated risk of developing psychosis (can be used with a clinician or independently) 
  
• Download: English and French (web and print) 
  

3. Cannabis & Psychosis: Dialogue Support Tool for Clinicians 

• This resource offers clinicians guidance on how to approach conversations about reducing harms of cannabis use with patients who have experienced psychotic episodes and/or have been diagnosed with psychotic disorder(s) including language to support these conversations. It was developed in collaboration with clinicians and people with lived/living experience of cannabis use and psychosis.  
• Target Audience: Clinicians  
  
• Download: English and French (web and print) 
  

4. Cannabis & Psychosis: Communication Bridges and Roadblocks Infographic 

• This resource identifies common communication ‘bridges’ (approaches that can support communication) and ‘roadblocks’ (approaches that can derail or impede communication) in reducing harm of cannabis use in relation to psychosis. It summarizes key strategies to support productive, non-judgmental conversations.  
  
• Target Audience: Clinicians  
  
• Download: English and French (web and print)