TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring the attitudes of staff working within mental health settings toward clients who use cannabis
AU - Clutterbuck, Ruth
AU - Tobin, Derek
AU - Orford, Jim
AU - Copello, Alex
AU - Preece, Mike
AU - Birchwood, Max
AU - Day, Ed
AU - Graham, Hermine
AU - Griffith, Emma
AU - McGovern, Dermot
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - Aims: This study aimed to explore the attitudes of staff working within mental health settings toward cannabis in general and cannabis use in individuals with severe mental-health problems. Method: Twenty members of staff working within community mental health teams in Birmingham, UK, were interviewed using qualitative research methods. The overarching themes within the staff accounts are described and the interrelationship between themes explored. Findings: Staff use an 'individualized' approach when working with cannabis-using clients dependent on a number of key components, including the positive and negative effects of use, wider evidence base, client vulnerability, engagement, professional and personal views and harm reduction. It is suggested that any approach staff may take toward cannabis use at any one time is greatly dependent upon the above factors and these factors are highly client specific. Conclusions: The findings may help to explain why interventions aimed at reducing substance use in people with psychosis might prove less successful when targeting cannabis use.
AB - Aims: This study aimed to explore the attitudes of staff working within mental health settings toward cannabis in general and cannabis use in individuals with severe mental-health problems. Method: Twenty members of staff working within community mental health teams in Birmingham, UK, were interviewed using qualitative research methods. The overarching themes within the staff accounts are described and the interrelationship between themes explored. Findings: Staff use an 'individualized' approach when working with cannabis-using clients dependent on a number of key components, including the positive and negative effects of use, wider evidence base, client vulnerability, engagement, professional and personal views and harm reduction. It is suggested that any approach staff may take toward cannabis use at any one time is greatly dependent upon the above factors and these factors are highly client specific. Conclusions: The findings may help to explain why interventions aimed at reducing substance use in people with psychosis might prove less successful when targeting cannabis use.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=70649108665&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09687630801945861
U2 - 10.1080/09687630801945861
DO - 10.1080/09687630801945861
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:70649108665
SN - 0968-7637
VL - 16
SP - 311
EP - 327
JO - Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy
JF - Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy
IS - 4
ER -