Seeking help for an addiction?

Addiction Advisor .co.uk is the leading online provider of free medical information about drug and alcohol addiction issues. You can receive independent, expert advice on addictions rehab and treatment by telephoning Addiction Advisor on 0845 370 0102

Info in Cannabis

Info in Cannabis

The risks of smoking cannabis are becoming more highlighted with ever increasing build up of evidence from studies that investigate the associated risks of cannabis usage. Despite this, common misconceptions that cannabis is harmless are widespread. Here we will review the latest studies and information on cannabis.

One main risk which is becoming increasingly studied is the psychological effects of regular cannabis usage with findings that mental health illnesses can be caused or perpetuated by smoking cannabis.

One longitudinal study took place in Germany and investigated the long term effects of regular cannabis usage, whilst controlling for factors such as age, sex, psychiatric illnesses, involvement of other drugs and socioeconomic status. The findings concluded that continued use of cannabis over the course of the ten year period lead to twice the number of psychotic symptoms being presented by the participant.

Aside from psychological risks associated with cannabis usage, there are also physical implications of smoking cannabis. Studies have found that smoking cannabis has associated risks to health due to its high toxicity to cells and DNA, higher than the damage caused by tobacco. Further studies show that long term usage of cannabis is related to lung disease and other related respiratory problems. This study also clarified the cause/effect argument, as it was not found that individuals with existing mental health conditions used cannabis as a form of self medication to relieve their symptoms.

One way to reduce these risks is education and intervention at an early age, especially due to the face that cannabis is the most widely used substance by adults and teenagers worldwide.

A study in an American school showed that through a using either a motivational interviewing or educational approach regular cannabis users consumption was reduced by up to 20%, demonstrating that by advising individuals on the dangers associated, and providing some professional support lead to significant drops in their usage.

Studies have also highlighted other predictors of drug use as socio economic and race related factors, which would require further support and intervention to improve.

Published by Addiction Advisor on 04/08/2011.

Other Addictions Stories

• Binge eaters likely to suffer from other addictions
• Handling individuals who misuse drugs
• Individuals can become addicted to pain medications
• Constant source of new drugs fuels addiction
• Reward criminals for doing well when giving up drugs
• Preventing drug use in the workplace is a concern for employers
• Personality changes caused by drug addiction
• Research into dealing with stress post treatment
• Mexxy a new street drug in the UK
• Detailed information assists drug rehabilitation
• Teenagers more vulnerable to effects of cocaine
• Social networking sites more addictive than alcohol and tobacco
• US Social Media site for recovering addicts
• Dutch heroin addicts using Scottish rehab clinc
• Drug use in the news
• The link between crime and addiction
• Detoxing abroad via a holistic approach
• Anticipation of detox steps can be daunting
• Video Games Addiction
• Exercise can reduce Cannabis Use