Fact or Fiction
1 marijuana is very harmful, highly addictive, dangerous, illegal, drug gateway that is not currently accepted or proven medical use.
Or is it true that:
2 Marijuana is a safe, harmless, non-addictive, drug-sound that has healing properties that should be promoted for our youth to develop and share his thoughts with effects such as cash crops America's top legalized.
Most agree that both statements referred to above are notabsolutely correct. However, if you read most of the latest articles published in Internet discussion about the use of marijuana (where) most of our young people, their information these days, the perpetrators of bias, if not always explicitly, we located in one of two points above directions - either for or against the use of marijuana marijuana. Unfortunately, most of these sometimes well-written article a few scientific evidence to validate theirCredits. We tend to expect these things to professional fanatics and fanatical fans that promote a deep passion for their cause, but it is very disappointing if the information they receive in direct conflict with scientific knowledge of our government officials paid.
For example, the Food and Drug Administration announced in April 2006 that "no sound scientific studies" supported the medical use of marijuana, is contradicted by a 1999 report by a grouphighly respected scientists of the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences, the nation's most prestigious scientific advisory board agency. That review found marijuana as "good enough for a waste of special conditions, such as chemotherapy, adequate - Nausea and vomiting and AIDS". Would not be so surprising if the FDA to change this policy was based on new scientific research data, but does not mention any new analysisor investigations.
National Confusion
To complete the confusion, eleven states have legalized medical use of cannabis, but a Supreme Court decision last year, was arrested by the federal government for all users of marijuana, have legalized its use for medical purposes and even in States . The United States government has approved - "Marinol, a synthetic version of the pill a component of marijuana for anorexia associated with AIDS be treatedand nausea and vomiting associated with cancer therapy and GW Pharmaceutical, a British company is connected, the FDA approval of a sprayed extract of marijuana test in humans to obtain Sativex mentioned. This drug is approved for sale in Canada.
One wonders why our young people so confused about the positive and negative effects of marijuana, if our own government officials are undecided, ambivalent, and seem constantly changing state and national policiesbased on political pressure rather than by scientific evidence.
Simple Minds looking for simple solutions to complex problems, because I can not understand and believe that others understand the complexity of the situation, complete solutions. ) For example, the Earth is a system composed of subsystems (atmosphere - air, Lithosphere - Land, the hydrosphere - Water & biosphere - life. Each subsystem has an immediate and direct other subsystems involved. But mostthe earth 6 billion people are unaware of or indifferent to the fact that their daily behavior, it could cause global warming, which one day could destroy the Earth. We humans are a system of many subsystems, and the little things we do and eat every day, including a drastic impact on the current state of our mental, emotional and physical health and our future quality and length of life.
Adolescent Brain Development
The human brain is also a system of subsystems and thenThere is now overwhelming evidence that the development of the human brain continues into adolescence - until the age of 20 years. We know that the brain is vulnerable to toxic substances that can cause cognitive dysfunction in adults. There is extensive literature on the effects of acute and chronic marijuana exposure in adults, including measures of cognitive and behavioral effects, and some measures of changes in brain function, particularly in the fields of training andMemory. There have been relatively few studies, however, the effects of exposure to marijuana during development, when these areas are known to be involved in adult inner form and environment
Influence (eg exposure to other drugs, stress), interactions with peers, education, neighborhood factors, and other social variables.
Some have reported that a delay in brain development in adolescents is common when alcohol and other drugsincluding marijuana - began at a young age. "Some people feel the usual lack of initiative and concern for the future is always difficult, stay motivated, and I think he will do for themselves" (Wapner, Roger, 1995). As a result of normal aging process is interrupted. Development of coping strategies, a code of ethics, accountability, and other signs of maturity, often no more or regression. A common user emotional developmentbe delayed if you start with, and can take much longer to develop, as soon as the user himself clean and sober over a longer period. Drug abuse usually leads to rejection. They are "Denial is one of the hallmarks of chemical dependency. Frequent users, has not only denied that their drug use is a problem, you can start with the false denial of other problems, there are". Forgotten birthdays, missed social engagements and debentures, all "No big deal."(Wapner, Roger, 1995)
Jonathon Shedler and Jack Block (University of California, Berkeley) are detailed studies of young men who are nondrinkers, occasional users and frequent users made. Regular users are described (by his family and colleagues) is not reliable or responsible, non-productive or able to do things, the cunning and deceptive, opportunistic, unpredictable and changing attitudes and behaviors, not to satisfy delay and rebel erroneoustend to push and draw boundaries, self-indulgent, ethically consistent, not with great ambitions and inclined to express their hostile feelings directly. "(Shedler and Block, 1990)
Marijuana Effects
The specific effects of marijuana, but very different, depending on the quality and quantity of the drug, the personality and mood of the user, the user of their past experience with drugs, social attitudes and expectations of users. SignificantBut there is no consensus among the regulars, if smoked marijuana and inhaled, a state of mild intoxication results. This condition is a mild euphoria, characterized by a greater sense of wellbeing, increased acuity and relaxation, often accompanied by a feeling of drifting or floating away. Sensory inputs to be intensified. Often a person can be stretched or distorted sense of time, so that an event that may last only a few seconds, appears to havecover a much longer period. Short-term memory can also be affected, as you realize that it was taking a bite from a sandwich, but do not remember, they have seized. For users more pleasant experiences, including sexual intercourse is said to improve. When smoking marijuana is rapidly absorbed and its effects appear within seconds or minutes, but rarely more than 2 to 3 hours (Butcher, Mineko & Hooley, 2004).
Marijuana can cause unpleasant andpleasant experience. For example, if a person, drug, while in an unhappy, angry mood, suspect or fear, these feelings can be magnified. At higher doses, and may be unstable or sensitive to certain persons who produce marijuana extreme elation, euphoria, talkativeness and over, but it can also intense anxiety and depression and delusions, hallucinations and psychosis, like other experiences. Evidence that a strong relationship between the dailyThe use of marijuana and the presence of self-reported psychotic symptoms (Tien & Anthony, 1990).
Marijuana short-range physiological effects include a moderate increase in heart rate, bloodshot and a slowing of reaction time, a slight contraction in the size of the pupil, and itchy eyes, dry mouth and increased appetite. In addition, memory loss marijuana and a slowing of information processing (Poe induced, Gruber, et al., 2001). Continued use of high dosesover time tend to produce numbness and passivity. In such cases, marijuana seems to have a hallucinogenic effect. The effects of long-term, habitual use of marijuana are still under investigation, although a number of possible side effects have been told the long heavy use of marijuana. For example, marijuana tends to reduce the self-control. A study to investigate the past history of drug use reported under arrest murderers, than among menthe murder was committed, the most widely marijuana drug use. One-third indicated that they experienced the drug before the murder, and two thirds that some effects of the drug at the time of the crime (Spunt et al, 1994 ) ..
Marijuana is not too extreme physical addiction, like heroin has. However, it can lead to psychological dependence, in which a person experiences a strong need for the drug if he or she feels anxiety or tension. In fact Recent research has reported that many abstainers reported using marijuana withdrawal-like symptoms such as nervousness, tension, insomnia, loss of appetite and change (Budney, Hughes, et al., 2001; Kouri and Pope, 2000). A recent study of drug users reported that marijuana users were more ambivalent and less safe suspension were cocaine (Budney, Radonovich, et al., 1998).
Self - diagnosis
1. Your period> The use of marijuana and drunkenness affects performance at work or school?
2. Is your regular use of marijuana and intoxication in physically dangerous situations, like driving a car?
3. Have or have had legal problems because of arrests for possession of marijuana?
4. Have you, or you had an argument with a spouse or parent for possession of marijuana in the apartment, or its use around children?
If you answered"Yes" to either of them - you can define the criteria for a diagnosis of cannabis to satisfy, and advised me to undergo an alcohol / drug evaluation by a certified substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) and all recommendations for treatment.
If you are obsessed with mental or physical with marijuana, such as:
1. Craving;
2. Withdrawal symptoms;
3. Irritability
4. Insomnia and /or
5. Fear
- When you try to exit, then the diagnosis of cannabis dependence taken into account, rather than the use of cannabis. Similarly, I recommend to submit to an alcohol / drug abuse evaluation by a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), and comply with all recommendations for treatment.
Multiple searches
In 2001, marijuana was a factor in more than 110,000 emergency department visits in the United States. In a survey ofDrug-related crime emergency department visits (DAWN Report, 2001), 16 percent of visits were drug-related crime for abuse of marijuana. Many of these visits, emergency room, as one might suppose, was l ' use of other substances along with marijuana. If you have problems "yes to any of these above-questions diagnosis, because alcohol and / or other drugs along with marijuana and would not contribute to your problems of marijuana use alonetherefore meet the criteria for the possibility - Poly-addiction and / or "poly-behavioral addiction" - see below. Since it is impossible to expect a treatment for addiction to be beneficial when other addictions co-exist, the first therapeutic intervention for any addiction that is for an evaluation of other dependencies. National surveys have shown that a very high correlation between use of cannabis and / or abuse of other drugs and Behavioral Addiction.
Poor prognosis
We have come far, more than any other time in history that the treatment of addiction to cannabis and other diseases, lifestyle and behavioral dependencies related to gambling, food, sex, and / or religion (etc.) often to achieve a difficult and frustrating for all involved. Repeated violations rich in all dependencies, even when you use the most effective strategies for treatment. But because 47% of patients treated in private> Programs for addiction treatment (for example) relapse within the first year after treatment (Gorski, T., 2001)? Addiction specialists must be conditioned to accept failure as the norm? There are many reasons for this poor prognosis. Some might say that the dependencies are psychosomatic induced and maintained in a semi-balanced force field of forces multidimensional positive and negative. Others would say that failures due simply to a lack of self-motivation orWillpower. Most would agree that the dependence lifestyle behavior are serious risks that may deserve our attention, but it may be that patients are diagnosed with more dependencies in the context (by a simple function) due to lack of diagnostic tools and resources are not able to resolve the complexity of assessing and treating a patient with multiple addictions?
Diagnostic definition
So far, the DSM-IV-TR has not delineated a diagnosis for theComplexity of multiple behavioral and drug addiction. Has the diagnosis of poly-substance addiction for a person who has repeated at least three groups of substances in the same period of 12 months, but the criteria for the diagnosis and completeness of the behavioral symptoms of addiction. The psychological factors, the policy section health is (DSM-IV-TR, 2000), maladaptive health behaviors (eg, risky sexual practices, excessive consumption of alcohol, drug use,and food, etc.) may be listed on Axis I, only if they have a significant effect on the course of treating a medical or psychological condition.
Since the successful results of treatment depend on a comprehensive assessment and accurate diagnosis and comprehensive individualized treatment plan, it's no wonder that repeated rehabilitation failures and low success rates are the rule rather than the 'exception in the field of addiction, when the latest DSM-IV - TR does not even include a diagnosis more dependency behavior disorders. Clinical treatment must be a system of treatment planning and referral network, which is fully equipped as drug addiction and mental illness, and treatment-related needs are fully assessed and provide training / awareness, prevention strategy groups, and / or addiction treatment specifically for people with multiple diagnoses of dependence. Written treatment goals and objectives must be specified for each> Addiction and the size of an individual's life and the result desired performance or completion criteria should be explicitly stated that the behavior (based on visible activity), and measurable.
Proposed new diagnosis
In order to solve the limited diagnostic capacity DSM-IV-TRS ', a multidimensional diagnosis of "Poly-behavioral addiction", the support is proposed for more accurate diagnoses leads to planning for a more effective treatment. This diagnosisincludes the broad category of dependence that a person who reveals a combination of drug abuse, addiction and other compulsive obsessive behavior is gameplay, religion and / or sex / pornography, etc.) include. Behavioral addictions are just as damaging - psychologically and socially, as abuse of alcohol and drugs. Are compared with data on other lifestyle diseases, like diabetes, hypertension and heart diseasetheir behavioral problems, their causes and their resistance to treatments. Participate progressive disorder, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. They are also characterized by a preoccupation with a continuous or periodic loss of control, and continuous irrational behavior, despite negative consequences.
Poly-behavioral addiction would be described as a state of periodic or chronic physical, mental, emotional, cultural, sexual and / or spiritual /religious frenzy. These different types of poisoning are involved, by repeated obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior practices in dealings of any substance pathological changes in mood, person, organization, belief system, and / or create assets. The individual has intensified an overwhelming desire, need or compulsion with the presence of a tendency to comply with this practice and to demonstrate the phenomena of tolerance, abstinence and withdrawal, which increasinglyPhysical and / or psychological dependence on the effects of this pathological relationship. In addition, there is a 12 - period of months in which an individual with three or more abnormal behavior and / or drug abuse, while involved, but the criteria does not satisfy the dependency of a dependency, in particular (Slobodzien, J. , 2005). In essence, Poly-behavioral addiction is the synergistically integrated chronic dependence on multiple physiologically Addictive substances and behaviors (eg, the use / abuse of drugs - nicotine, alcohol and drugs, and act or impulsively or compulsively obsessed) with regard to gambling, food binging, sex and or religion, etc. simultaneously.
Multidimensional treatment
Since the disease lifestyle and chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, alcoholism, drug abuse and addiction behavior can not be cured but only managed - how should we effectively manage poly-behavioral> Addiction?
The Addiction Recovery Measurement System (ARMS) is proposed to use a multidimensional integrative assessment, treatment planning, progress treatment and outcome of the treatment system of measurement that provides a fast and accurate recognition and assessment of life in individual functioning dimensions facilitate progress monitoring. The ARMS hypothesis purports that it is a multi-dimensional synergy negative resistance that individualto develop some form of treatment to a single dimension of their lives, because the effects of dependence on a person to interact in a dynamic multi-dimensional. Once the goal is a size inadequate. Traditional addiction treatment programs are not for the multidimensional synergistically negative effects of a person (record dependent on multiple factors, such as nicotine, alcohol and obesity, etc..) Behavioral Addictionnegatively with each other and with strategies to improve operations of global interaction. Tend to promote the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, help increase violence, decrease efficiency, and promote social isolation. Today, most theories of treatment will involve assessing other dimensions of dual diagnosis or co-morbidity diagnoses, or to assess the factors that may play a role in the primary function of the person identified. The theory of arms'proclaims that a multidimensional treatment plan must be devised addressing the possible multiple dependence throughout the life of the individual size than the countries in the developing world to identify specific goals and objectives for each dimension.
Conclusion
This article is not with the intention to demonize or enhance the illicit cultivation larger than in the United States and top cash writing (growers of the United States produce about 35 billion dollars of marijuana each year, so that drugs are illegalCash crop of the country's largest, bigger than corn and wheat together, a supporter of the medical use of marijuana, said in a study of 18 Published 06 December in Washington), "Reuters." It was not written for the use or non use of marijuana legal for medical purposes, if a lawyer or illegal. There are many items available, which already achieve that mission. But I hope that the 10 to 15 percent of the people most complex problemswith the use of marijuana, you can find the help they need. Given the variety of addictions in our world today, you should always take into account a person's ethnic pathological, cultural background, religious and social, before clinical decisions, and it would be wise not too strong in this area. However, since the results of treatment of success depend on a thorough assessment and accurate diagnosis, individualized treatment and comprehensivePlanning - poly-behavioral addiction needs to be established to effectively treat addiction, the complexity of multiple behavioral and substance.
For more information, visit:
Poly-behavioral Addiction and Drug Addiction Recovery Measurement System (ARMS)
James Slobodzien, Psy.D. CSAC
[http://www.geocities.com/drslbdzn/Behavioral_Addictions.html]
James Slobodzien, Psy.D. CSAC, is a Hawaii licensed psychologist and certified consultants, drug abuse doctorate in clinical psychology. The National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology credentials Dr. Slobodzien. He has over 20 years of experience in mental health particularly in relation to alcohol / drug abuse and drug addiction in behavioral medicine, prisons and judicial fields. He is an associate professor of psychology and also maintains a private practice as a consultant on mental health.
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