# Relationship of Ethanol, Cannabinoids, Benzodiazepines, and Opioids to Serious Injuries from Falls in Adults Aged 55 and Older. > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-falls-elderly-adults-trauma-center-study/ > **Published:** 2026-04-27T22:24:22-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-10-27T13:45:22-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** New study finds cannabis use not associated with increased fall injury severity in adults over 55, providing objective data for clinical counseling. --- Physician Research SummarySubstances and Serious Fall Injuries in Adults 55 and Older **Putting the study in context:** This trauma-center analysis examined how alcohol, cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, and opioids relate to serious fall injuries in adults aged 55 and older. Studies of this kind show associations, not cause and effect, and they cannot fully separate the effect of one substance from other health problems, other medications, or why patients were using them. Alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids are well established fall-risk contributors, and combining sedating substances raises risk further. Dr. Benjamin Caplan recommends that older adults who use cannabis start at very low doses, avoid combining it with alcohol, opioids, or sedatives, review all medications with a clinician, and pair this with proven fall-prevention steps such as strength and balance work, home safety changes, and vision checks. **Key points:** Association, Not Causation • Combining Sedating Substances Raises Risk • Start Very Low • Use Proven Fall-Prevention Measures CED Clinical Relevance  #72Notable Clinical Interest Evidence Brief | CED ClinicCannabis detection in older adults’ blood following falls showed no association with serious injury outcomes in trauma center study. Falls[Cannabis Safety](https://cedclinic.com/respiratory-effects-inhalational-marijuana/)GeriatricsTraumaCohort Study Cannabis detection in older adults’ blood following falls showed no association with serious injury outcomes in trauma center study. What This Study Teaches Us This study provides toxicological data on substance detection rates in older adults following falls serious enough to warrant trauma evaluation. The methodology of pairing trauma registry data with biobanked blood samples offers a more objective assessment than relying on clinical reporting alone. Why This Matters Falls are a leading cause of injury in older adults, and understanding substance contributions to fall risk and injury severity informs both prevention strategies and acute care protocols. The study addresses a clinical gap where substance involvement is often underreported or inconsistently documented. Study Snapshot Study Type Retrospective Cohort Population Adults aged 55 and older evaluated for falls at Level 1 trauma center, n=274 Intervention Toxicological blood analysis for ethanol, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, and opioids Comparator Substance-negative controls within same cohort Primary Outcome Adverse clinical outcomes adjusted for injury severity score Key Finding Cannabis detection rates and relationship to serious injury outcomes reported Journal The Journal of Emergency Medicine Year 2024 Clinical Bottom Line Among older adults evaluated for fall-related trauma, cannabis detection did not correlate with increased injury severity when controlling for other factors. This finding challenges assumptions about cannabis as a significant fall risk factor in this population. What This Paper Does Not Show The abstract does not provide complete results for all substances studied, specific detection rates, or the statistical significance of associations. It cannot establish causation between [substance use](https://cedclinic.com/stroke-risk-assessment-substance-use/) and falls, nor does it address timing of use relative to the fall event. Where This Paper Deserves Skepticism Blood detection indicates recent use but not necessarily impairment at time of fall. The study period during COVID-19 may not represent typical patterns. Selection bias exists as this includes only falls severe enough for trauma evaluation, potentially missing less serious but more common fall scenarios. Dr. Caplan's Take I’m encouraged by the objective toxicological approach rather than relying on patient or provider reporting. The lack of association between cannabis detection and injury severity aligns with my clinical observation that cannabis users often fall due to underlying medical conditions rather than acute impairment. However, I need the complete results to draw firm clinical conclusions. What a Careful Reader Should Take Away This study suggests cannabis detection in older trauma patients following falls may not predict worse outcomes, but the incomplete abstract limits definitive interpretation. The methodology represents a valuable approach to studying substance-related fall risk objectively. 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/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Relationship%20of%20Ethanol%2C%20Cannabinoids%2C%20Benzodiazepines%2C%20and%20Opioids%20to%20Serious%20Injuries%20from%20Falls%20i...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabis-use-falls-elderly-adults-trauma-center-study%2F)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabis-use-falls-elderly-adults-trauma-center-study%2F)[🦅 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Relationship%20of%20Ethanol%2C%20Cannabinoids%2C%20Benzodiazepines%2C%20and%20Opioids%20to%20Serious%20Injuries%20from%20Falls%20i...%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabis-use-falls-elderly-adults-trauma-center-study%2F)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[Does cannabis use increase the risk of serious injury from falls in older adults?](#Does_cannabis_use_increase_the_risk_of_serious_injury_from_falls_in_older_adults) - [Which substances are most concerning for fall-related injuries in older adults?](#Which_substances_are_most_concerning_for_fall-related_injuries_in_older_adults) - [How reliable is toxicological testing for determining substance-related fall risk in emergency settings?](#How_reliable_is_toxicological_testing_for_determining_substance-related_fall_risk_in_emergency_settings) - [Should clinicians be equally concerned about all sedating medications in older adults prone to falls?](#Should_clinicians_be_equally_concerned_about_all_sedating_medications_in_older_adults_prone_to_falls) - [What are the clinical implications for older adults who use cannabis and are at risk for falls?](#What_are_the_clinical_implications_for_older_adults_who_use_cannabis_and_are_at_risk_for_falls) - [Personalized Cannabinoid Care with Dr. Benjamin Caplan](#Personalized_Cannabinoid_Care_with_Dr_Benjamin_Caplan) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ #### Does cannabis use increase the risk of serious injury from falls in older adults? According to this trauma center study of 274 adults aged 55+, cannabis detection in blood samples was not associated with serious injury outcomes following falls. This finding contrasts with other sedating substances and suggests cannabis may not significantly increase fall-related injury severity in this population. #### Which substances are most concerning for fall-related injuries in older adults? The study examined ethanol, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, and opioids in adults 55+ who experienced falls requiring trauma evaluation. While the specific results for other substances aren’t detailed in the summary, the research aimed to quantify the contribution of these sedating drugs to adverse clinical outcomes after falls. #### How reliable is toxicological testing for determining substance-related fall risk in emergency settings? The study notes that assessing the contribution of sedating drugs to fall injuries is “difficult to quantitate in acute care environments due to inconsistent [clinical practice](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-reproductive-health-women-clinical-evidence/).” This research used bio-banked blood samples with comprehensive toxicological analysis, which may be more reliable than routine clinical testing practices. #### Should clinicians be equally concerned about all sedating medications in older adults prone to falls? Based on this evidence, not all sedating substances may carry equal risk for serious fall-related injuries. The lack of association between cannabis detection and serious injury outcomes suggests a more nuanced approach to fall [risk assessment](https://cedclinic.com/ethical-legal-dilemmas-cannabis-use/) may be warranted, rather than treating all sedating substances as equivalent risks. #### What are the clinical implications for older adults who use cannabis and are at risk for falls? This study suggests that [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) alone may not significantly increase the severity of injuries when falls do occur in adults 55+. However, clinicians should still consider individual patient factors and focus fall prevention strategies on other established risk factors while avoiding blanket restrictions based solely on [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/). [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/) Doctor-Approved Medical Guidance ### Personalized Cannabinoid Care with Dr. Benjamin Caplan Cannabinoid therapy works best when it is tailored to your health history, current medications, and goals. Consult directly with Dr. Benjamin Caplan, MD, founder of CED Clinic and author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook*. [Book a Telehealth Consultation](https://cedclinic.com/contact/)[Explore Dr. Caplan’s Book](https://amzn.to/4a35lhE) ### 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).