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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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US: More teens treated for marijuana addiction than all other drugs Purushothaman Muthukanagaraj Reflector.com Thursday 15 Sep 2011 Recently a synthetic form of cannabis, known as "K-2" or "Spice," has appeared. Street cannabis available today has a good proportion of synthetic cannabis mixed in it. Marinol is a synthetic form of THC, used for health benefit, such as pain management or reduction of nausea induced by cancer treatment. Many studies have shown that marijuana is an addictive substance. Symptoms of dependency are similar to those of any other addictive drugs. Effects of use include a feeling of freedom from stress and an enhanced appreciation of the senses. Smoking marijuana increases appetite, a quality that users call "the munchies." Symptoms of withdrawal are similar to those of other drugs and include irritability, depression, insomnia, drug craving and decreased appetite. Repeated smoking of cannabis leads to impaired psychomotor skills, particularly among inexperienced cannabis smokers. Such problems include slowed reaction times, decreased concentration and making more mistakes during performance testing. THC is detected in routine drug screens used by employers and others who need to identify users of drugs. THC persists in the body for long periods of time after use. Chronic marijuana smokers test positive for months after their last use. Like cigarettes, smoking marijuana has irritating effects in the lungs. The habit of users to deeply inhale and hold smoke for extended periods makes its effects on the lungs worse than tobacco. Regular users of marijuana tend to be less motivated, less happy or satisfied with their life. They are also more likely to suffer from depression and to use larger amounts of alcohol and other drugs. Heavy marijuana users are more likely than non-users to be diagnosed with schizophrenia later in life. Use of newer forms of synthetic marijuana ("Spice") have resulted in hospitalizations for psychotic episodes. More teens are in treatment as a result of marijuana dependence than for all other illicit drugs combined. While most individuals with marijuana abuse or dependence are treated on an outpatient basis, admission to both outpatient and inpatient treatment programs for marijuana addiction has increased over the years. It has increased to the point that the addiction to this substance is nearly as high as dependence on other illegal drugs, like cocaine or heroin. There is no evidence of a trend toward reduction of use of cannabis-type drugs, and the potency of marijuana sold on the street has consistently risen with time. Many treatments are effective in assisting those dependent on cannabis to live productively without it. Education by parents and in schools about the danger and the potential for addiction to marijuana is an important way to reduce later problems. Individuals who find themselves repeatedly using these substances should consult their primary care physician who can help them find a qualified addiction treatment specialist. For more information, call 413-4117 or email bhs@pcmh.com. Purushothaman Muthukanagaraj is a resident in psychiatry at the Brody School of Medicine. http://www.reflector.com/look/more-teens-treated-marijuana-addiction-all-other-drugs-685329
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