Marijuana use and abuse can mean more missed work

The findings were published on Monday American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

For the study, researchers from UC San Diego School of Medicine and New York University Grossman School of Medicine analyzed data from the 2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health on 46,500 full-time employed adults in the U.S. Recent and frequent cannabis use , as well as cannabis use disorder (CUD), they found, were associated with higher absenteeism at work.

Absences from work included days lost due to illness or injury, in addition to days missed when employees “just didn’t want to be there.” Respondents were majority or plural white (62%), male (57%), between the ages of 35 and 49 (35%), married (52%), had at least a college degree (42%), and had an income annually per household. exceeding $75,000 (55%). Approximately 16% of employees reported using cannabis in the past month, of which approximately 7% met criteria for CUD (mild: 4%; moderate: 2%; severe: 1%).

People who said they had never used cannabis missed an average of 0.95 days of work in the past 30 days due to illness/injury and skipped 0.28 days. Cannabis users, by comparison, had the following absences:

• Usage in the last month: 1.47 illness/injury, 0.63 omitted
• Mild CUD: 1.74 illness/injury, 0.62 omitted
• Moderate CUD: 1.69 illness/injury, 0.98 omitted
• Severe CUD: 2.02 illness/injury, 1.83 omitted

The results also showed that people who used cannabis the most often skipped the most work. For example, those who consumed it once or twice a month skipped 0.48 days, while those who consumed it 20 to 30 days a month skipped 0.7 days. People who used cannabis between three and five days per month had the highest prevalence of days lost due to illness/injury (1.68). Cannabis use more than a month ago was not associated with employee absenteeism.

“These findings highlight the need for increased monitoring, screening measures, and targeted interventions related to cannabis use and use disorders among employed adults,” the researchers wrote. “Furthermore, these results underscore the need for improved workplace prevention policies and programs designed to address and manage problematic cannabis use.”

The researchers said that while their latest work supports much of the existing literature on cannabis use and workplace absenteeism, it also contrasts with other studies. One previous study, for example, showed a decrease in sick leave as a result of medical marijuana legislation, while another found no link between the two.

A limitation of the new study, the authors note, is that it relied on participants’ self-reported responses. In addition, the data do not reflect whether cannabis was used for medicinal or recreational purposes, whether it was consumed during working hours, or address other factors that may have affected an individual’s cannabis use patterns.

What are the signs of cannabis use disorder?

That marijuana is not addictive is a myth. People with CUD cannot stop using cannabis even when it causes health and social problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cannabis users have about a 10 percent chance of developing CUD, a disorder that affects nearly a third of all users, according to previous research estimates. At greater risk are people who start using cannabis in their teens and who use the drug more often.

The CDC lists these behaviors as signs of CUD:

• Continued use of cannabis despite physical or psychological problems
• Continued use of cannabis despite social or relationship problems
• Craving cannabis
• Giving up important activities with friends and family in favor of using cannabis
• The need to use more cannabis to get the same high
• He spends a lot of time using cannabis
• He tried but failed to quit using cannabis
• Using cannabis even if it causes problems at home, school or work
• Using cannabis in high-risk situations, such as while driving a car
• Using more cannabis than intended

In addition to interfering with daily life, CUD has been linked to unemployment, cognitive impairment, and low educational attainment. People with CUD often have additional mental health problems, including other substance abuse disorders. In this study, for example, 14% of respondents reported having an alcohol use disorder in the past year.

If you or a loved one is struggling with cannabis use, help is available 24/7. Visit FindTreatment.govsend a message with your zip code to HELP4U (435748)or call at SAMHSA National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 800-487-4889.

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