Self-reported reasons for voluntary abstinences by adolescent cannabis users

Purpose: Factors influencing cannabis use have been previously identified mainly using multivariate approaches. However, there is a dearth of information collected from the perspective of the adolescent cannabis user, in particular for voluntary abstinences. This was the present study’s aim.

Methodology: 38 cannabis users were identified from a sample of 261 adolescents recruited from schools. They completed open ended questions identifying reasons for voluntary abstinences. Thematic analysis was used to assess their responses.

Findings: Voluntary abstinences by cannabis users were influenced by both internal and external factors. These were; the user’s state of mind, an attempt to quit, negative effects of cannabis, prior to important events, prior to family interactions and peers.

Research limitations/implications: The results show that adolescent cannabis users are flexible in their approach to using cannabis, being able to briefly stop when the situation warrants it. However, the study is limited by a lack of in-depth and rich data, limiting the scope of the analysis.

Originality/value: This is the first study to identify reasons for voluntary abstinences from the user’s perspective in adolescent cannabis users.