What Are Tolerance Breaks and Why Do Young Adults Take Them? A Qualitative Investigation of Temporary Abstinence Breaks from Cannabis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study investigated young adults' (YAs) experiences with tolerance breaks (temporary abstinence from cannabis; T-breaks).

Method

In Study 1, 15 YAs who used cannabis completed a qualitative interview. In Study 2, 66 YAs who used cannabis at least 2x/week completed online survey items assessing T-break familiarity, definitions, motivations, and experiences. Data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis.

Results

In Study 1, five themes were identified: (1) time frames for T-breaks were variable but brief and temporary, (2) T-breaks were motivated by tolerance reduction (3) and other motives, (4) withdrawal is an early barrier; positive outcomes occurred with longer breaks, (5) some YAs viewed T-breaks as unnecessary/unachievable. Study 2 findings

SUBMITTER: Walukevich-Dienst K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11831898 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature