# The Effects of Extended Cannabis Abstinence in Comorbid PTSD and Cannabis Use Disorder > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cessation-ptsd-dual-diagnosis-effects/ > **Published:** 2026-03-24T15:26:24-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T15:55:57-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore cannabis cessation PTSD dual diagnosis effects on symptoms and treatment insights for comorbid cannabis use disorder and PTSD patients. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #56Monitored Relevance  Early-stage or contextual signal requiring further evidence before action. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic Ptsd[Cannabis Use Disorder](https://cedclinic.com/sex-differences-cannabis-stress-reactivity-oxytocin/)AbstinenceDual DiagnosisMental Health Journal The Journal of clinical psychiatry Study Type [Clinical Study](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-hyperemesis-syndrome-psychiatric-risk/) Population Human participants Why This Matters This study addresses a critical clinical question about cannabis cessation in patients with PTSD who have developed [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) disorder. Understanding how extended abstinence affects both conditions simultaneously informs treatment decisions for this vulnerable dual-diagnosis population. Clinical Summary The study examined outcomes during extended cannabis abstinence in participants with comorbid [PTSD and cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-anxiety-young-sexual-minority-women/) use disorder. Key findings showed that while [cannabis withdrawal symptoms](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-disorder-risk-clinical-evidence/) resolved over time, PTSD symptoms remained elevated throughout the abstinence period. The research provides important data on the trajectory of both conditions during cessation, though the study design and sample characteristics may limit broader generalizability. Dr. Caplan’s Take “I see patients struggling with this exact clinical scenario regularly, and this data confirms what many of us observe – stopping cannabis doesn’t automatically improve PTSD symptoms. The persistence of PTSD symptoms during abstinence underscores the need for comprehensive treatment approaches beyond simple cessation.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should prepare patients with comorbid PTSD and [cannabis use disorder](https://cedclinic.com/sex-differences-cannabis-stress-reactivity-oxytocin/) for potentially persistent trauma symptoms during cannabis cessation. This reinforces the importance of concurrent evidence-based PTSD treatments and careful monitoring during any abstinence attempts, rather than expecting cannabis cessation alone to resolve underlying trauma symptoms. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/forum/cannabis-industry/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [𝕏 Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20The%20Effects%20of%20Extended%20Cannabis%20Abstinence%20in%20Comorbid%20Posttraumatic%20Stress%20Dis...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41734366/) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41734366/) [🦥 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20The%20Effects%20of%20Extended%20Cannabis%20Abstinence%20in%20Comorbid%20Posttraumatic%20Stress%20Dis...%20--%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41734366/) [📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan/) [📝 Read more on Substack](https://substack.com/@doctorapproved) [🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/category/cannabis-news/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41734366/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41734366/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[What did this study examine in people with PTSD and cannabis use disorder?](#What_did_this_study_examine_in_people_with_PTSD_and_cannabis_use_disorder) - [Do PTSD symptoms improve when people with PTSD stop using cannabis?](#Do_PTSD_symptoms_improve_when_people_with_PTSD_stop_using_cannabis) - [Do these results apply to everyone with PTSD who uses cannabis?](#Do_these_results_apply_to_everyone_with_PTSD_who_uses_cannabis) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ ### What did this study examine in people with PTSD and cannabis use disorder? It examined what happens during an extended period of cannabis abstinence in participants who had both [PTSD and cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-anxiety-young-sexual-minority-women/) use disorder. The researchers followed the trajectory of both conditions during cessation, a question relevant to treatment decisions for this dual-diagnosis population. It was published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. ### Do PTSD symptoms improve when people with PTSD stop using cannabis? Not in this study. During extended cannabis abstinence, [cannabis withdrawal symptoms](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-disorder-risk-clinical-evidence/) resolved over time, but PTSD symptoms remained elevated throughout the abstinence period. Stopping cannabis did not by itself bring PTSD symptoms down for these participants, which points to the need for PTSD treatment alongside cessation. ### Do these results apply to everyone with PTSD who uses cannabis? Not necessarily. The article notes that the study design and the characteristics of its sample may limit how broadly the findings can be generalized. The results describe participants with both PTSD and [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) disorder during extended abstinence, and may not reflect other groups of people with PTSD who use cannabis. {“@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “ScholarlyArticle”, “headline”: “The Effects of Extended Cannabis Abstinence in Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Cannabis Use Disorder.”, “url”: “https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41734366/”, “about”: “journal clinical psychiatry [clinical study](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-hyperemesis-syndrome-psychiatric-risk/) effects”, “isPartOf”: “The Journal of clinical psychiatry”} [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment Europe Review](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-disorder-treatment-europe-evidence-watch/) A comprehensive review of cannabis use disorder treatments available in Europe, highlighting clinical evidence and therapeutic approaches. [Read the Review](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-disorder-treatment-europe-evidence-watch/) [The Effect of Cannabis Use on the Time Course of Positive and Negative Affect in Youth](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-effects-youth-daily-mood-patterns/) Study exploring how cannabis use influences emotional states over time in young individuals, relevant for understanding mental health impacts. [Explore the Study](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-effects-youth-daily-mood-patterns/) [Opioids and Cannabis: An Uncertain Combination?](https://cedclinic.com/opioid-cannabis-interactions-risks-clinical-insights/) An analysis of the clinical considerations and risks when combining opioid and cannabis use, important for dual diagnosis management. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/opioid-cannabis-interactions-risks-clinical-insights/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).