Marijuana Treatment Center - Cannabis Drug Rehab Program Facility

Long-term marijuana use leads to addiction. When someone is using marijuana daily, it eventually 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.

Leading Marijuana Abuse Addiction Rehab Treatment Center - Malibu Horizon

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

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.

Malibu Horizon - 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.

Principles of Effective Treatment

1. Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior. Drugs of abuse alter the brain structure and function, resulting in changes that persist long after drug use has ceased. This may explain why drug abusers are at risk for relapse even after long periods of abstinence and despite the potentially devastating consequences.

2. No single treatment is appropriate for everyone. Treatment varies depending on the type of drug and the characteristics of the patients. Matching treatment settings, interventions, and services to an individual's particular problems and needs is critical to his or her ultimate success in returning to productive functioning in the family, workplace, and society.

3. Treatment needs to be readily available. Because drug-addicted individuals may be uncertain about entering treatment, taking advantage of available services the moment people are ready for treatment is critical. Potential patients can be lost if treatment is not immediately available or readily accessible. As with other chronic diseases, the earlier treatment is offered in the disease process, the greater the likelihood of positive outcomes.

4. Effective treatment attends to multiple needs of the individual, not just his or her drug abuse. To be effective, treatment must address the individual's drug abuse and any associated medical, psychological, social, vocational, and legal problems. It is also important that treatment be appropriate to the individual’s age, gender, ethnicity, and culture.

5. Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical. The appropriate duration for an individual depends on the type and degree of the patient's problems and needs. Research indicates that most addicted individuals need at least 3 months in treatment to significantly reduce or stop their drug use and that the best outcomes occur with longer durations of treatment. Recovery from drug addiction is a long-term process and frequently requires multiple episodes of treatment. As with other chronic illnesses, relapses to drug abuse can occur and should signal a need for treatment to be reinstated or adjusted. Because individuals often leave treatment prematurely, programs should include strategies to engage and keep patients in treatment.

6. Behavioral therapies, including individual, family, or group counseling,are the most commonly used forms of drug abuse treatment. Behavioral therapies vary in their focus and may involve addressing a patient's motivation to change, providing incentives for abstinence, building skills to resist drug use, replacing drug-using activities with constructive and rewarding activities, improving problem-solving skills, and facilitating better interpersonal relationships. Also, participation in group therapy and other peer support programs during and following treatment can help maintain abstinence.

7. Medications are an important element of treatment for many patients, especially when combined with counseling and other behavioral therapies. For example, methadone, Buprenorphine, and naltrexone (including a new long-acting formulation) are effective in helping individuals addicted to heroin or other opioids stabilize their lives and reduce their illicit drug use. Acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone are medications approved for treating alcohol dependence. For persons addicted to nicotine, a nicotine replacement product (available as patches, gum, lozenges, or nasal spray) or an oral medication (such as bupropion or varenicline) can be an effective component of treatment when part of a comprehensive behavioral treatment program.

8. An individual's treatment and services plan must be assessed continually and modified as necessary to ensure that it meets his or her changing needs. A patient may require varying combinations of services and treatment components during the course of treatment and recovery. In addition to counseling or psychotherapy, a patient may require medication, medical services, family therapy, parenting instruction, vocational rehabilitation, and/or social and legal services. For many patients, a continuing care approach provides the best results, with the treatment intensity varying according to a person's changing needs.

9. Many drug-addicted individuals also have other mental disorders. Because drug abuse and addiction, both of which are mental disorders, often co-occur with other mental illnesses, patients presenting with one condition should be assessed for the other(s). And when these problems co-occur, treatment should address both (or all), including the use of medications as appropriate.

10. Medically assisted detoxification is only the first stage of addiction treatment and by itself does little to change long-term drug abuse. Although medically assisted detoxification can safely manage the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal and can, for some, pave the way for effective long-term addiction treatment, detoxification alone is rarely sufficient to help addicted individuals achieve long-term abstinence. Thus, patients should be encouraged to continue drug treatment following detoxification. Motivational enhancement and incentive strategies, begun at initial patient intake, can improve treatment engagement.

11. Treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective. Sanctions or enticements from family, employment settings, and/or the criminal justice system can significantly increase treatment entry, retention rates, and the ultimate success of drug treatment interventions.

12. Drug use during treatment must be monitored continuously, as lapses during treatment do occur. Knowing their drug use is being monitored can be a powerful incentive for patients and can help them withstand urges to use drugs. Monitoring also provides an early indication of a return to drug use, signaling a possible need to adjust an individual's treatment plan to better meet his or her needs.

13. Treatment programs should test patients for the presence of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases as well as provide targeted risk-reduction counseling, linking patients to treatment if necessary. Typically, drug abuse treatment addresses some of the drug-related behaviors that put people at risk of infectious diseases. Targeted counseling focused on reducing infectious disease risk can help patients further reduce or avoid substance-related and other high-risk behaviors. Counseling can also help those who are already infected to manage their illness. Moreover, engaging in substance abuse treatment can facilitate adherence to other medical treatments. Substance abuse treatment facilities should provide on site, rapid HIV testing rather than referrals to off site testing. research shows that doing so increases the likelihood that patients will be tested and receive their test results. Treatment providers should also inform patients that highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has proven effective in combating HIV, including among drug-abusing populations, and help link them to HIV treatment if they test positive.

ref: principles of addiction treatment NIDA

Other Resources for Drug Rehab Treatment Center Information

National Institute on Drug Abuse

ref; http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana-abuse/marijuana-addictive

marijuana abuse addiction rehab treatment center

American Medical Association - Alcohol & Drug Abuse

American Society of Addiction Medicine

Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration

More NIDA Resources

White House Drug Policy

California Drug Abuse Programs

USA Prescription Drug Help

Medline Plus

Family Help - Alanon

Drug Addiction Medline Plus

Narcotics Anonymous

SMART Recovery

Alcoholics Anonymous