Recreational versus self-medicated cannabis use among adolescents and young adults in Spain: associations with substance use and mental health.
- 1Addictive Behaviors Research Group (GCA), Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Plaza Feijoo, Oviedo, 33003, Spain. [email protected].
- 2Addictive Behaviors Research Group (GCA), Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Plaza Feijoo, Oviedo, 33003, Spain.
Abstract
Background
Cannabis use is common among adolescents and young adults, yet motives, especially self-medication, remain poorly understood in non-legalized contexts. This study explored differences among recreational, self-medicated, and dual (recreational + self-medicated) cannabis users in sociodemographic, substance use, and mental health characteristics within a large Spanish sample of adolescents and young adults.Methods
Data were collected from 1,078 participants aged 16-30 who reported past-year cannabis use. Based on motives, users were categorized into three groups. Validated measures assessed cannabis use severity, concurrent substance involvement, nicotine dependence, alcohol-related consequences, and mental health. Bivariate analyses and multinomial logistic regressions were performed to identify predictors of group membership.Results
Dual users comprised most participants (53.2%) and showed the most severe profile, including higher cannabis use frequency, greater scores on the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) and the Brief-Marijuana Consequences Questionnaire (B-MACQ), more tobacco co-use, and poorer mental health. Self-medicated users (8.3%) showed greater nicotine dependence, higher risk for cannabis use disorder, and higher scores on the Reality Distortion subscale of the Oviedo Schizotypy Assessment Questionnaire-Abbreviated (ESQUIZO-Q-A) than recreational users (38.5%). Multinomial logistic regressions identified cannabis-related problems and use frequency as the strongest predictors of dual or self-medicated use.Conclusions
Distinguishing cannabis use motives in adolescents and young adults is crucial, as dual users represent a highly vulnerable subgroup with substance-related and psychological risks. Prevention and intervention efforts should include motive-specific screening, address misconceptions about self-medication, and integrate mental health support, especially amid Spain's evolving cannabis regulations.
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BibTeX
@article{secadesvilla2026recreational,
title = {{Recreational versus self-medicated cannabis use among adolescents and young adults in Spain: associations with substance use and mental health.}},
author = {Roberto Secades-Villa and Sara Weidberg and Alba González-Roz and Layla Alemán-Moussa and Clara Iza-Fernández},
journal = {Journal of cannabis research},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s42238-026-00480-2},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958465},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Recreational versus self-medicated cannabis use among adolescents and young adults in Spain: associations with substance use and mental health.
AU - Roberto Secades-Villa
AU - Sara Weidberg
AU - Alba González-Roz
AU - Layla Alemán-Moussa
AU - Clara Iza-Fernández
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/04
JO - Journal of cannabis research
DO - 10.1186/s42238-026-00480-2
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958465
AB - Background Cannabis use is common among adolescents and young adults, yet motives, especially self-medication, remain poorly understood in non-legalized contexts. This study explored differences among recreational, self-medicated, and dual (recreational + self-medicated) cannabis users in sociodemographic, substance use, and mental health characteristics within a large Spanish sample of adolescents and young adults.Methods Data were collected from 1,078 participants aged 16-30 who reported past-year cannabis use. Based on motives, users were categorized into three groups. Validated measures assessed cannabis use severity, concurrent substance involvement, nicotine dependence, alcohol-related consequences, and mental health. Bivariate analyses and multinomial logistic regressions were performed to identify predictors of group membership.Results Dual users comprised most participants (53.2%) and showed the most severe profile, including higher cannabis use frequency, greater scores on the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) and the Brief-Marijuana Consequences Questionnaire (B-MACQ), more tobacco co-use, and poorer mental health. Self-medicated users (8.3%) showed greater nicotine dependence, higher risk for cannabis use disorder, and higher scores on the Reality Distortion subscale of the Oviedo Schizotypy Assessment Questionnaire-Abbreviated (ESQUIZO-Q-A) than recreational users (38.5%). Multinomial logistic regressions identified cannabis-related problems and use frequency as the strongest predictors of dual or self-medicated use.Conclusions Distinguishing cannabis use motives in adolescents and young adults is crucial, as dual users represent a highly vulnerable subgroup with substance-related and psychological risks. Prevention and intervention efforts should include motive-specific screening, address misconceptions about self-medication, and integrate mental health support, especially amid Spain's evolving cannabis regulations.
SN - 2522-5782
ER -