Perceção do risco associado ao uso de drogas em doentes com história prévia de psicose induzida por cannabis

Abstract

Background: The discussion on the legalisation of consumption and commercialisation of cannabis have been a recurrent theme in multiple debates and have raised concern about the increasing numbers in consumption and related harms. This study aims to analyse the patient's perception of the risk associated with cannabis consumption in comparison with other illicit drugs. Precisely, to analyse whether patients with cannabis induced psychosis consider cannabis a health risk drug. Method: We conducted an exploratory qualitative study. For the study, twenty-one patients diagnosed with cannabis induced psychosis, followed at the psychiatric service of Centro Hospital Universitário de São João, from September 2021 to March 2022 were included. Data was collected using a questionnaire designed by the study authors. Results: The mean age of the sample is 37.4 years with 92,3% of the participants being male. Within the sample, 53,8% have an active consumption of cannabis, with weed/marijuana being the most common form of consumption (53,8%), compared to hashish (23,1%) and weed plus hashish (23,1%). Cannabis was classified by 76,2% of patients as a low-medium health risk drug, when compared to other drugs. Heroin was classified by 95,2% of the patients as a high-risk drug, 90,5% classified alcohol with medium-high risk and 95,2% classified ectasy as medium-high risk drug. Conclusion: Our findings expose that patient with cannabis induced psychosis classify cannabis as a drug with a low health risk, compared to other drugs. Even after the psychotic episode, 47,6% maintain active consumption. This can be explained by the social perception of cannabis as a drug less associated with abuse and addiction.