Is Marijuana a Dangerous Drug - Coursework Example

Psychology view - Is Marijuana a dangerous drug? Marijuana is an illicit drug which has been used for several years for various purposes. While some use it for social and recreational purposes, others use it for therapeutic purposes too, especially for relief of certain symptoms like muscle pain, nausea, anxiety, anorexia and insomnia. The therapeutic aspect of marijuana can be frequently misused by adolescents leading to different patterns of use which may get associated with many problems linked to marijuana abuse. In this essay, implications of misuse of marijuana will be discussed. What is Marijuana? Marijuana is a mixture of dried parts of the plant hemp including leaves, stems, seeds and flowers. It appears green, brown, or grey depending on the composition. It is referred to by many street names such as herb, weed, grass, boom, Mary Jane, gangster, or chronic. It is usually consumed in the form of cigarette (referred to as ‘joint’ or ‘nail’) or pipe. More often than not, it is consumed with other illicit drugs like cocaine (called ‘blunts’) or tobacco. It is taken in mainly for the mental effects like altered state of consciousness, perceptual changes like hallucinations and heightened sensory experiences. The main active chemical having psycho-activity in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) (Astolfi, 1998). How rampant is marijuana abuse? Marijuana is the most widely consumed illicit drug in the world (Maxwell, 2003). The consumption is most prevalent in New-Zealand (20%) and least in Canada (8.9%). The prevalence in U.K and U.S are same (9%) (Maxwell 2003; Gfroerer, 1992). According to the statistics on drug abuse published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in 2002 (based on National Drug Strategy Household Survey, 2001), marijuana constituted 33.1% of the illicit drugs ever used. It also constituted 12.9% of the drugs recently used. The mean age of initiation was 18.5 years. According to the same study, at each age, marijuana use was more common among males than females. Males were more likely than females to have ever used marijuana. The prevalence of marijuana use peaked in males and females aged 20–29 years (Maxwell, 2003). In young people aged 14 to 17 years, the drug was used at least once by 28% of persons falling in this group whereas in the elderly people, consumption decreased after the age of 40 years and the rate continued to decrease as age increased thereafter. The consumption of marijuana was much higher in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (50%) when compared to non-indigenous Australians (33%). Also, there was no difference noted in marijuana intake between those living in urban areas and those in remote and rural areas. The drug abuse was more in those with English speaking background than those with non-English speaking background. Women who were either breast feeding or pregnant or both consumed much less than other women. What are the effects of marijuana? Other than euphoria and hallucinations, marijuana has other effects also. The immediate effects are blood shot eyes, dry mouth and throat, sleepiness, paranoia, decreased ability to concentrate, coordinate and react, along with impaired short- term memory, comprehension, speech and learning. There is decreased ability to judge distances and react to signals and sounds on the road causing accidents. Heart rate and blood pressure are increased, threatening cardiac dangers in those with pre-existing heart disease. Some of them even develop panic attacks and hypotension. Those with chronic abuse, have problems with motivation (anti- motivational syndrome). They do not care what happens to themselves in their lives. They lose interest in work and become tired easily. They also have no concern about how they look (Astolfi, 1998). They have strained social relations, develop social inhibitions and become psychologically dependent. They also develop other problems like chronic bronchitis, increased chest colds and abnormal functioning of the lung tissue. These effects are even greater when other drugs like cocaine or tobacco are mixed with marijuana; and most of the times, the users do not know what drugs are given to them (McAllister, 1991). The effects also depend on dosage, route of administration, previous drug experience, the user’s expectation of the effects of the drug, social environment and mood of the user. Review of literature pertaining to marijuana has shown that many adolescents claim to smoke marijuana for therapeutic reasons. Whether such a use is beneficial or associated with risk is yet to be ascertained. Bottorff, Johnson, Moffat, Mulvogue et al (2009) conducted a study on the use of marijuana with relief oriented use. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the health issues which prompt teenagers to resort to marijuana for therapeutic purposes. The study also purported to evaluate the risks and benefits associated with therapeutic marijuana use. Analysis of the data revealed that adolescents who used marijuana for therapeutic purposes were clear in their indications for marijuana use. They emphasized that they had to resort to marijuana use for heath-related issues which were resistant to regular medical support and relief of symptoms ensued through certain sophistication techniques like titration of intake. The most common symptom for use of marijuana with therapeutic intention was stress or anxiety Other symptoms were depression, sleep-related problems, problems pertaining to concentration and focusing and physical pain. The authors concluded that some adolescents who were haunted with certain heath problems resistant to regular medical treatments perceived marijuana as the only alternative for relief of symptoms. The most important problem with marijuana is emergence of withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms appear within 24 hours of stopping the drug. They are more pronounced in the first 10 days, but can last up to 4 weeks. Common symptoms are sleeplessness, restlessness, anxiety, mild depression, headache, loss of appetite, irritability and mood swings. Usually these symptoms are mild. Some patients may need anti-anxiety drugs or medicines for sleep. Some others, who have acute withdrawal symptoms of a greater degree, may need benzodiazepines. Depending on the body mass and tolerance, diazepam can be given 5 to 10 mg three times a day for about 4 days. It also causes few side effects like fatigue, muscle weakness, ataxia and drowsiness and is usually dose related (Astolfi, 1998). There is a definite indication of high prevalence of marijuana use and misuse among people with psychosis. This means that marijuana is co-dependent on some other factor in order to have causal influence on risk for psychosis and the co-dependent factor incriminated is genetic liability (direct or indirect) to psychosis. It is more appropriate to say that gene–environment interaction has a role in the causal-effect relationship between cannabis and psychosis. Not all patients with psychotic illness are exposed to marijuana, and not all marijuana abusers develop psychosis. Marijuana abuse is extremely prevalent in young people who are actually of the age group most at risk of psychosis (Fergusson,, 2003). Marijuana misuse also leads to earlier age at first psychotic episode in male schizophrenia patients. There seems to be a major impact of marijuana abuse on the long-term outcome of schizophrenic patients (Degenhardt, 2003). Heavy marijuana misuse leads to the risk of psychotic episodes, and aggravates the symptoms and course of psychotic diseases like schizophrenia. The continuous heavy use of marijuana can induce not only acute schizophrenia but also other psychotic disorders (Dervaux, 2003). Some patients with schizophrenia use cannabis for self-medication against symptoms of schizophrenia, particularly negative and depressive symptoms. The dopaminergic effects of cannabis in these patients counterbalance a hypodopaminergic prefrontal state of these individuals. These can give clues to issues arising in the prognosis and treatment of those schizophrenics who have casual relationship with marijuana. Self-medication could concern other symptoms, such as cognitive deficits. For any psychiatric patient, risk-management and care-planning is incomplete without a thorough assessment of substance misuse. Prevalence of suicide attempts in schizophrenia is closely correlated to marijuana abuse (Green, 2005). Marijuana habituation is not a problem of health issue alone. It also affects the economy of the person, his family, his society and his nation. At family level, the person has to spend lots of money in procuring the drug. If he a working person he may lose his job or have a pay cut due to poor performance and absenteeism. If he is a student he may fail academically. Also, many drug addicts take loans, even if he has to pay back at high interest rates. Dependency can make some addicts sell valuables and property to mobilize money to purchase the drug. Money also has to be spent on injuries, accidents and ill-health due to dependency. Society has to pay the price for nurturing substance abuse individuals. What money can be utilized for public utilization like laying roads, water supply, schools, etc., will be used for management of drug addicts. Also, some of them may get involved in robbery to buy drugs. The brunt of substance abuse is borne by the nation. The government has to spend money on treatment of the addicts: in-patient services, out-patient clinics, de-addiction centers; training centers: for nurse, mid-wives and doctors – to deal with drug addicts; symposiums, seminars and conferences - to enhance the importance of this alarming problem and discuss issues to tackle it and on research and development- to develop measures for early recognition and successful treatment (Health Care Cost and Utilization Project). Also, money has to be spent on dealing with criminals. Drug addiction leads to increase crime. Money has to be spent on police, prisons and courts (Single, 2000). Total social and health costs of dealing with the consequences of illegal use of drugs in the US have been estimated to be a further $66.9 billion a year (Dixon, P). Data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's National Inpatient Survey, 2001, indicated that there were an estimated 5,392 discharges from hospitals where marijuana dependence or abuse was the primary diagnosis. Actually, the number of marijuana primary diagnoses is significantly lower than those for alcohol, heroin, and cocaine, but the mean length of stay for marijuana episodes is three times longer than for alcohol and heroin discharges and more than two times longer than for cocaine diagnoses. The mean charge per marijuana discharge is nearly twice as large as those for any of the other substances. Urine sample testing can be used as an effective means of determining current use of marijuana. However, issues such as the interval between use and testing, cut-off levels and method need to be considered As of now, there is no drug to treat marijuana dependence. Counseling is the only method of helping the client (Astolfi, 1998). The first step in counseling is motivation for abstinence. The individual must be advised about the benefits in quitting like good health, good education and job, high self esteem and good social and partner relationships. Advise to stop-at-once than gradual withdrawal. Also, he/she must be advised to stay away from peers, friends and others who indulge in drug abuse. If partner or family members are also drug dependent, even they must be involved in de-addiction programme. He or she must be advised to go back to school or work and concentrate on good results. Encouragement to use other modes of entertainment like watching movies and drama, playing games and attending family functions must be done (Astolfi, 1998). Regular exercise and balanced diet is a must for sound body and mind and hence this must be advised. After the initial phases of motivation, abstinence and control of withdrawal symptoms, advice must be given about precautions and safety. The individual needs to be advised to avoid driving and operation of dangerous machinery especially when on diazepam. He or she also must be refrained from living alone or traveling alone, especially if having mood swings. The most important aspect of management is prevention of relapse. Education of client must be done in the early stages of abstinence when the risk of reverting back is high due to withdrawal symptoms (Astolfi, 1998). The way to success is mainly motivation and instilling confidence and positive attitude and not talking about failures. Doctors, nurses, attendants, care takers, friends and family members must get involved during this period in a positive manner. The individual must be advised to delay the desire to smoke and distract his mind from smoking by getting involved in other activities like listening to music, watching movies or drama, attending family functions, playing games or indulging in any other hobbies like reading novels or gardening. Further, he or she should be advised to avoid places and people who trigger the desire to smoke. Conclusion Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the world. It is taken both for pleasurable and therapeutic purposes. Whatever may be the cause for intake of this drug, high addictive nature of this drug is the cause for its illicit taboo. Marijuana intake is often related to several factors, the most important of which is psychotic disorder. Coexistence of psychotic disease and marijuana makes medical diagnosis and treatment difficult. Marijuana intake is not only associated with mental and medical health issues, it also leads to several emotional, financial, social and economic problems, making it a major public health challenge. References Astolfi, H., Keonard, L. & Morris, D. (1998). Cannabis dependence and treatment. GP Drug and Alcohol Supplement, 10, 35-42. Bottorff, JL, Johnson, JL, Moffat, BM, Mulvogue, T. (2009). Relief-oriented use of marijuana by teens. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention and Policy, 4, 7. Retrieved on 10th November, 2010 from http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2683812 Dixon, P. (2006). The True Cost of Drug Addiction. Retrieved on 10th November, 2010 from http://www.globalchange.com/drugs/TAD. Degenhardt, L., Hall, W., Lynskey, M. (2003). Testing hypotheses about the relationship between cannabis use and psychosis. Drug Alcohol Depend., 71, p. 37–48 Dervaux, A., Laqueille, X., Bourdel, M.C., Leborgne, M.H., Olié, J.P., Lôo, H., Krebs, M.O. (2003). Cannabis and schizophrenia: demographic and clinical correlates. Encephale., 29(1), p.11-17. Fergusson, D. M., Horwood, L. J., Swain-Campbell, N. R. (2003). Cannabis dependence and psychotic symptoms in young people. Psychol Med, 33, p.15–21 Green, B. (2005). Cannabis use and misuse prevalence among people with psychosis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 187, p. 306-313. Gfroerer, J., & Brodsky, M. (1992). The incidence of illicit drug use in the United States, 1962-1989. Br J Addict, 87(9), pp 1345-51. Health Care Cost and Utilization Project. (n.d.). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Retrieved on 10th November, 2010 from http://www.ahcpr.gov/data/hcup. Maxwell, J.C. (2003). Comparison of drug use in Australia and the United States as seen in the 2001 National Household Surveys. Drug Alcohol Rev., 22(3), pp 347-57 McAllister, I., & Makkai, T., 1991. Whatever happened to marijuana? Patterns of marijuana use in Australia, 1985-1988. Int J Addict. 26(5), pp 491-504 Single, E., Christie,P., & Ali, R., 2000. The impact of cannabis decriminalisation in Australia and the United States. Journal of Public Health Policy, 21(2), pp 157-186. Read More