Marijuana, Addiction and Counselling Treatment: Basic Facts

Marijuana is often touted as an innocent and harmless drug that can be used recreationally with little long-term side effects. However, frequent use of pot can result not only in addiction issues, but also in harmful physical conditions that can become problematic even for a relatively healthy person. Studies have also linked prolonged Marijuana use with the onset of major depression and, in some cases, schizophrenia.

Addiction has now been shown to be hereditary to some degree, and the genetic markers for addiction have been found. Frequently, families share patterns of addiction, even if they are not addicted to the same substance. For example, one person may have a problem with alcohol, another person may be addicted to methamphetamines and another person in the family may be addicted to Ecstasy, or gambling.

Very often, we learn values and beliefs about drugs and alcohol from our families. If we come from a family where it is normal to become intoxicated at a football game, or over almost every hot summer weekend, then we may not think much about drinking excessively, or similarly, about smoking marijuana every day. In fact, it is not uncommon for parents with pot addiction issues to show their children how to roll their first joint or how to care for a small personal cannabis garden. (This article is electronically protected – Copyright © Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney PTY LTD)

Frequent and intensive smoking of pot can have substantial longterm physical consequences. Memory loss is not uncommon. Users exhibit difficulty concentrating, and completing projects may be challenging. Red and watery eyes is a very common symptom and since pot use usually increases appetite, users may notice significant weight gain. For individuals who smoke a great deal of pot, a chronic phlegm cough and/or bronchitis problem may develop.

For a person who has been smoking or ingesting marijuana in large amounts, paranoia, hallucinations and psychosis are not uncommon. Pot smokers can also spend hours and hours doing very little but smoking, and find that their energy and capacity is vastly decreased.

The most common method of using pot is to smoke it in the form of a joint or a hand rolled cigarette. However, pot can also be smoked in a small pipe or in a water pipe (also known as a bong). A vaporizer may also be used to consume pot, or it may be cooked in foods and eaten in the form of baked goods, candies, tea, or infused oils and butters.

Although the debate still continues in Australia about the use of medicinal marijuana for the treatment of pain and chronic illness, there are many proponents around the world that point to repeated research that supports the use of pot to help with many medical illnesses. These illnesses include HIV/AIDS, cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, systemic lupus, diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis and many others. (This article is electronically protected – Copyright © Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney PTY LTD)

Primary supporting research indicates that pot can help individuals who experience a great deal of chronic, unrelenting pain, who have significant problems with insomnia or anxiety, or who have problems with nausea or maintaining weight due to necessary drugs or the illness itself. However, marijuana is not an illegal drug in Australia and is therefore not a legally acceptable form of pain relief in this country.