Drug Counselor: Marijuana, Addiction, and Drug Abuse
Despite it’s possession and use being against the law, marijuana is one of the most commonly used drugs in the USA. This green plant holds this distinguished title right alongside legal substances such as caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. In an ironic twist, it is well known that the addictive qualities of marijuana are much lower than the three legal drugs just mentioned, legal substances which are highly abused in American society. By comparison, marijuana is mush less addictive than our darling legal fixes; like that cigarette break expected to come on the hour, every hour, or not waking up until we get that caffeine hit from the first morning cup of coffee, or enjoying that extra beer, shot, or glass of wine every evening, especially when the day didn’t go our way.
This is all true.
Nevertheless, there’s a sort of bad logic to it all, an implication of an argument that’s being put forth that isn’t really logically put into the framework, only advanced by comparison. What I mean is that while this is all true about other legal substances being more addictive, it doesn’t negate the fact that certain individuals do become addicted to marijuana. Sadly, this is an often missed point with individuals who, perhaps rightly so, speak of the legalization, decriminalization, or medicinal use of marijuana.
It is estimated that somewhere in the vicinity of 10-12% of regular marijuana smokers will eventually become addicted to marijuana. This is evident when the user decides to stop or for whatever reason, is unable to smoke regularly. Withdrawal symptoms reported by heavily addicted users mimic experiences seen across the board, no matter drug addiction it is being referred to; things like headaches, oversleeping, insomnia, the shakes, a feeling that the body is very cold (similar to the flu), and most of all, a general sense of anxiety and just crankiness. In other words, you wouldn’t want to be around someone feeling this way!
The problem we have is that because marijuana is relatively harmless in comparison to more powerfully addicting and controlling substances, such as crack cocaine, crystal meth, and even nicotine (arguably the most addictive drug in popular use), it’s not given much attention in its own right as something that can be addicting and causing problems.
This can isolate addicts who need help, exasperating the problem even more so, pushing help further away when it’s most needed. It doesn’t have to be this way. While friends and family may express shock as marijuana being addictive, drug counselors know the real situation and are trained to work with you to find a way out.
Marijuana addiction is a highly controversial idea, one that gets a lot of mixed attention from smokers, the media, and the anti-drug groups as well. It is a real issue though for a minority of users. Individuals seeking more information are encouraged to review the Marijuana Addiction and Treatment blog resource.
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Sinead O’Connor checks into hospital
Sinéad O’Connor Checks Into Hospital for Depression Wed., Jan. 18, 2012 8:57 AM PST by Josh Grossberg After crying out for psychiatric help last week, Sinéad O’Connor is now doing something to get herself out of the doldrums. The Irish hitmaker revealed on Twitter yesterday that she’s checking into a hospital for two weeks to be treated for depression. MORE: Sinéad O’Connor Splits With Hubby Again, Blames Media for Marriage Meltdown “Gonna be off radar for few weeks. But will be back. Worry not. : ),” O’Connor first tweeted on Monday concerning her current condition. On Tuesday, the 45-year-old singer subsequently confirmed where she was headed—to a medical center where she can get the care she’s needed ever since the very public end of her short-lived marriage to teen drug counselor Barry Herridge. It also comes on the heels of her plea for help on Twitter in which she told fans she was very unwell, in “serious danger” and needed to get back on meds. “Im going to hospital. Treatment for depression. Not at all well. But they will put me back together quick,” she said in a reply to one follower. “@twintiermedia so will be back.. and smiling. Prolly 2 weeks ish..” MORE: Sinéad O’Connor Still Married! O’Connor added that it was the “right decision.” “They [have a] fab good team,” she wrote. “I be me again in 2 weeks they say.” Allaying fans’ fears, she concluded, “Don’t want anyone worrying. Should only worry if a depressed person DOESN”T go hospital. All will be well. Just …