Abstinence phobia among adult African AmericanBlack cannabis users.
African AmericanBlack individuals experience significant health disparities, particularly as it relates to cannabis use. As such, there is a need to identify intrapersonal factors related to more severe patterns of use among this subpopulation. Worry about quitting or reducing cannabis as a result of the anticipated anxiety-related states during deprivation (i.e., abstinence phobia) is one factor that is theoretically important in the context of cannabis-related disparities. The current study sought to examine the cross-sectional association between abstinence phobia and cannabis use problems, perceived barriers for cannabis cessation, and cannabis withdrawal symptoms. Participants included 83 African AmericanBlack cannabis users (31.3% female, M Cannabis abstinence phobia was associated with greater severity of cannabis use problems, more perceived barriers for quitting cannabis use, and more severe cannabis withdrawal symptoms. Abstinence phobia may represent an underrecognized intervention target for addressing cannabis use problems and quit success.