Marijuana Addiction Rehab Treatment Center Program California

Marijuana is Addictive

Long-term marijuana use can lead to addiction; that is, people have difficulty controlling their drug use and cannot stop even though it interferes with many aspects of their lives. It is estimated that 9 percent of people who use marijuana will become dependent on it. The number goes up to about 1 in 6 in those who start using young (in their teens) and to 25-50 percent among daily users. Moreover, a study of over 300 fraternal and identical twin pairs found that the twin who had used marijuana before the age of 17 had elevated rates of other drug use and drug problems later on, compared with their twin who did not use before age 17.
According to the 2008 NSDUH, marijuana accounted for 4.2 million of the estimated 7 million Americans dependent on or abusing illicit drugs. In 2008, approximately 15 percent of people entering drug abuse treatment programs reported marijuana as their primary drug of abuse; 61 percent of persons under 15 reported marijuana as their primary drug of abuse, as did 56 percent of those 15 to 19 years old. Marijuana addiction is also linked to a withdrawal syndrome similar to that of nicotine withdrawal, which can make it hard to quit. Some people who have tried to quit marijuana report irritability, sleeping difficulties, craving, and anxiety. They also show increased aggression on psychological tests, peaking approximately 1 week after they last used the drug.

Treating the Side Effects of Marijuana Use in a Marijuana Abuse Addiction Rehab Treatment Center

Marijuana is the most commonly used drug among teenagers in America, and is harmful to academic performance because it interferes with memory and concentration. Teens who begin marijuana use at an early age when the brain is still developing may be more vulnerable to various neurological and psychological issues, including problems with their verbal skills. There is also a negative impact on academic performance, and students who smoke marijuana several times a week have significantly lower academic success than their peers who don't use. Marijuana smokers also have a lower rate of college acceptance, and a higher rate of drop out.

Cognitive Impairment - Marijuana Abuse Addiction Rehab Treatment Center

Frequent Marijuana users manifest significant impairments to important cognitive brain functions, and the negative effect of Marijuana on memory is well documented. Marijuana triggers Schizophrenia or Psychotic Spectrum disorder, if you already have these conditions, smoking Marijuana may worsen your symptoms and medications become resistant.

Marijuana Abuse Addiction Rehab Treatment Center - other side effects sperm count

Another result of prolonged use of Marijuana is reduced sperm count, recently verified by a study conducted by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. "The bottom line is, the active ingredients in marijuana are doing something to sperm, and the numbers are in the direction toward infertility," said Lani J. Burkman, Ph.D., lead author on the study. "The sperm from marijuana smokers were moving too fast too early," said Burkman. "The timing was all wrong. These sperm will experience burnout before they reach the egg and would not be capable of fertilization."

Dr. A. R. Mohammad expert on Marijuana and Addiction - Marijuana Abuse Addiction Rehab Treatment Center

" As an addiction specialist I've personally treated patients with Marijuana withdrawal symptoms of anxiety, agitation, insomnia, and even violent behavior. These patients struggle to stay away from Marijuana with the same challenges as those who have battles with alcohol or other drugs, and their psychological pain is obviously visible, and confirmed by the patients themselves."

Medicinal Marijuana - and treatment in a Marijuana Abuse Addiction Rehab Treatment Center

Medical Marijuana is back in the news and continues to make a mockery of just about everyone in the field of medicine. Let me begin with the fact that the medical marijuana approval process is outright laughable and not only makes a complete mockery of the medical community by allowing anyone with a checkbook to get a "recommendation letter" for marijuana, but it also proves that even the slightest whiff of legalization brings out the bottom-feeders, who crave publicity. The system has become an absurdity and I'm anxiously awaiting someone who can convince me if it's not.

Prescription Hypocrisy - Marijuana Abuse Addiction Rehab Treatment Center

The sad reality is that medical marijuana cards aren't worth the paper they're printed on and to be crystal clear, anyone with any symptom can go to a " Marijuana Doctor" and can get what is actually called a "recommendation letter" that explains how the individual in question will medically benefit from Marijuana. The patient takes the "recommendation letter" to a dispensary and is now able to procure a host of mind-altering products - none of which have actually been "prescribed" in a traditional sense.
I apologize for the frequent use of quotation marks; however, it is critical that people understand that when discussing medical marijuana, the media and the dispensaries are using language that simply isn't accurate. For instance, it's not an actual prescription where a patient is directed to take 500 mg of a particular medication
3 times a day for a month, in fact, it isn't remotely close to an actual prescription model considering the fact that the "medication"
in question isn't directed and the patient can use whatever they want whenever they want depending upon their own taste. Therefore, using the word "prescription" is not only inaccurate, but is also downright misleading.
A recent study published in BJP (British Journal of Pharmacology) showed that the potency of Marijuana is very high, while the content of Cannabidiol, which has antipsychotic effect, has been reduced to allow for greater potency.

Psychotic Spectrum Disorder - Marijuana Abuse Addiction Rehab Treatment Center

The result is an increasing incidence of psychotic spectrum disorder. In simple terms, in order to make the potency as extreme as possible, the antipsychotic elements have been genetically removed and the effects are troubling. There is no doubt that Marijuana has properties of alleviating certain symptoms such as nausea, pressure, pain, while stimulating appetite; however, if the natural safeguards built into Marijuana's chemistry are being removed, we are in for a whole new series of problems.
The reality is, if you see a doctor in normal standard of care, he needs to perform a complete history and physical, perform tests - if necessary, then prescribe a structured medication regimen with systematic follow-up. In the case of Marijuana, there is no standard medical procedure performed, there's no oversight, no special training for the physicians and no guidelines. Therefore, calling it "Medical" Marijuana is a disgrace for the entire medical community and all those perpetuating the misleading notion that this process is somehow medically sound.
I would rather advocate for the legalization of marijuana, heavily tax the process and utilize the tax dollars to properly and effectively enforce the law and educate our kids about the harsh realities associated with Marijuana.

Facts About Teenagers who smoke marijuana- Marijuana Abuse Addiction Rehab Treatment Center

Here are some actual scientific facts:
Have significantly lower academic success than their peers who don't use Marijuana
* Have a lower rate of college acceptance and higher rate of overall drop outs.
* Have impaired nuero-cognition, memory impairment and a host of other significant cognitive impairments.
It is well-know that in predisposed individuals, Marijuana can trigger Schizophrenia or psychotic spectrum disorder.

Story with a Powerful Message- Marijuana Abuse Addiction Rehab Treatment Center

Let me share a story about one of my 17 year old patients who was referred to me by a pain specialist prior to performing invasive pain procedure to rule out marijuana addiction. He started using marijuana at age 12, didn't do well at school, finally stopped going to school when father found out about his excessive marijuana use. Shortly after, he reported excruciating "testicular pain" only relieved by marijuana. He went to Urologists at UCLA, USC and all available Urologists in his region; however, top Urologists couldn't find any pathology at all. He convinced his father to get him a medical marijuana card and his father complied, further enabling his son's behavior. After completing the patient history and assessment I gently suggested that he cuts down on his marijuana smoking at which point he screamed at me "no way!" Then I told him that your problem is not your testicular pain it's your Marijuana dependence, so acknowledge this and stay away from the invasive procedure you are facing. He didn't object and I called my pain specialist colleague with instructions to cancel the invasive procedure. As a fellow addiction specialist, he agreed and was thrilled with the outcome.
Remember, you can get a marijuana card for as little as $35 dollars and bogus claims of hair pain, muscle soreness and headaches.

Conclusions - Marijuana Abuse Addiction Rehab Treatment Center

Before you pretend that you are in the presence of medical professionals, I am telling you with absolute certainty that you are not. Now join me in my mission to change this flawed "Medical Marijuana" system and let's save our children from the dangers of "Marijuana doctors" before things get too far out of hand.

marijuana abuse addiction rehab treatment center

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All patients and their doctors have individual treatment agreements for services rendered. All doctors of medicine furnishings services to clients at Malibu Horizon are independent consultants, not employees or agents.