Cannabis Use Disorder in Whole-Person Care: An Integrated Approach to Screening and Treatment

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Analyze the epidemiology, neurobiology, and clinical presentation of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) within the context of primary care.

2. Apply evidence-based screening tools and diagnostic criteria to differentiate patterns of cannabis use and identify common medical and psychiatric comorbidities.

3. Evaluate evidence-based treatment modalities, including psychosocial, pharmacologic, and community-based interventions for CUD.

4. Formulate an integrative, patient-centered treatment plan for patients with CUD that incorporates evidence-based psychosocial care, pharmacologic considerations when appropriate, supportive nonpharmacologic strategies, and lifestyle interventions.

The clinical approach to Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is undergoing a critical shift, moving from a narrow, often stigmatizing, model to a comprehensive, patient-centered paradigm that addresses the root causes of the condition. Mastering this modern approach requires a nuanced understanding of the interplay between a patient’s neurobiology, physical symptoms, behavioral health, and psychosocial context. This educational activity provides an in-depth exploration of an evidence-based, patient-centered framework for managing CUD, including clinical assessment, communication strategies, behavioral health integration, and supportive nonpharmacologic care. This educational activity prepares physicians and physician assistants to apply evidence-based screening, counseling, documentation, referral, and treatment-planning strategies for patients with cannabis use, medical cannabis requests, CUD, or cannabis-related complications. The course emphasizes clinical assessment, behavioral health integration, risk counseling, pharmacologic review, monitoring, and referral when additional services are needed.

For many physicians, a significant gap exists between a foundational understanding of addiction and the ability to integrate principles, patient-coaching techniques, and evidence-based interventions into daily care. This can lead to missed opportunities for early screening and an over-reliance on a single treatment approach, which may not address common drivers of CUD, such as chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, trauma history, social stressors, or limited access to behavioral health support. This course closes that practice gap by providing clinical knowledge and communication strategies that help clinicians identify unhealthy cannabis use, assess CUD severity, counsel patients on risks and safer-use considerations, and coordinate appropriate treatment or referral.