Consequences of the use of marijuana
The abuse of substances among young people remains a source of marked concern for parents and is at the center of continuous research. There are studies aimed at acquiring epidemiological data on the dissemination of these substances. Others to ascertain the impact on the brain development process, which is still underway at least until the age of twenty. The unequivocal result is that thetaking drugs can influence the health and well -being of teenagers At a critical moment of their life, interfering on brain maturation processes.
A recent survey was carried out by National Institute on Drug Abuse (Nida), concerning the spread of abuse substances among young people. This highlighted that, while the consumption rates of tobacco cigarettes tend to fall, the same thing does not occur for marijuana. Its use among teenagers is currently more widespread than cigarette smoke and about 45% of secondary school students tried marijuana at least once in a lifetime.
Distorted ideas on the use of marijuana
Another alarming figure is the decrease in the number of teenagers who believe that marijuana is harmful. This is despite that there is a growing scientific evidence on the fact that prolonged use of this substance can interfere with the normal functioning of many mental activities.
The same institute, then, underlines how much parents play an important role about the possibility of influencing the attitudes and behaviors of their children. It is equally evident that the theme of damage related to the use of marijuana It is difficult to face in the family.
This is because in the social context of everyday life they are conveyed misleading messages that tend to minimize the harmful effects of this substance. Among others, the approval of the laws onmedical use of marijuana and the debate about its legalization. Not to mention the fact that many parents may have used marijuana when they were younger. This makes it more difficult to deal with this topic with children and establish rules and principles.
Just to facilitate this type of communication, the Nida has developed and spread a short guide. It is in the form of questions and answers and can provide help and a starting point to start dealing with this delicate and controversial theme.
Why do young people use marijuana?
Young people begin to use marijuana for many reasons, including mainly, curiosity, pressure from friends and the desire to adapt to certain social standards. In particular, they are increased risk of Use of marijuanathose who have:
- Already started smoking cigarettes or using alcohol;
- untreated mental disorders;
- Immediately psychological trauma.
For some, the use of drugs begins as a means to cope with sensations of anxiety, anger, depression or boredom. Parents, grandparents and older brothers are models that young people follow. Research suggests that the use of alcohol and drugs by family members plays an important role in the fact that a young man uses them in turn. In reality, all aspects of the life environment of a teenager – home, school and community – can be a facilitating element in this sense.
Numerous research indicate that theUse of marijuana And other drugs usually reaches the major peaks in late adolescence and around twenty/thirty years of age, and then decreased in the following years.
Can marijuana create addiction?
Repeated use can lead to marijuana dependence, which means that those who use it can have difficulty ceasing its intake, even if this substance determines a negative impact on its life. Research suggests that about 30% of people who use Marijuana have such a said “marijuana use disorder”, even if they have not yet developed a condition of actual addiction.
Marijuana has negative effects on attention, motivation, memory and learning. These effects may also persist after some time from the interruption of its intake. In particular, people who begin to use marijuana before the age of 18 are most at risk of developing this symptoms.
The Effects of marijuana They vary according to several factors, including previous experiences with other drugs, a biological predisposition, the methods of taking substance, its power. Symptoms of abstinence, which last about two weeks, can manifest themselves with irritability, sleep disturbances, anxiety, reduction of appetite and physical discomfort.
Does the use of marijuana leads to another use of drugs?
Most people who use marijuana do not use other “heavier” substances, such as cocaine or heroin.
However, some research shows that people often try marijuana before trying other substances. The researchers are now evaluating the possibility that theexposure to marijuana In a teenager he can cause changes in the brain such as to make the risk of becoming subsequently dependent on other substances such as alcohol, opioids, cocaine or drugs.
Is marijuana dangerous for those behind the wheel?
Marijuana alters the judgment and many other skills necessary for a safe guide: readiness, concentration, coordination and reaction time. THE’Use of marijuana It makes it difficult to judge the distances and react to signals and sounds on the road. Marijuana is the most commonly found illegal drug in fatal accidents, sometimes in combination with alcohol or other drugs.
What kind of social repercussions does the use of marijuana determine?
Marijuana determines a low cognitive performance, with the consequence of causing:
- school failures;
- Mental and physical health problems;
- discomfort in relational skills;
- less career successes;
- worse quality of life.
Is the use of marijuana linked to some mental diseases?
Even if scientists have not yet fully understood how the use of marijuana can have an impact on the development of mental illness, high doses can cause a panic attack or even one psychosis acute, characterized by thoughts detached from reality or hallucinations.
Are there treatments for people dedicated to marijuana?
Cognitive-behavioral therapies are available and indicated, also used for the treatment of alcohol dependence. These include motivational reinforcement therapies to treatment and strategies to learn how to manage emotions avoiding that they involve automatic use of abuse substances.
At the moment there are no approved drugs in the United States for the treatment of Marijuana addictioneven if a promising research of drugs is underway to treat the symptoms of abstinence and to reduce the appetizing of marijuana.
Is marijuana a medicine?
The research shows that some chemicals present in marijuana may have medical uses. In the USA some drugs containing these substances were put on the market, which have been recognized as effective therapeutic garrisons in certain clinical situation. For example, in the treatment of nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy, for the treatment of rare and serious forms of epilepsy and chronic pain.
COme can I know if my son used marijuana?
Parents should get used to detecting changes in the behavior of their children, including, for example:
- do not adequately wash your hair or teeth;
- jump showers;
- present mood changes or manifest attitudes of impatience and quarrels towards other family members or to friends.
Other signals that can make suspicious are represented by:
- worsening in school performance;
- irregularities in the frequency of lessons;
- loss of interest in sport or other favorite activities;
- changes in food habits or sleep;
- problems with the police.
Tips for parents
- Be a good listener.
- It helps your child to face the pressure of peers to use drugs.
- Know your son and their parents’ friends.
- Supervise your child’s activities.
- He often talks to your son.
External link of deepening
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmra1402309
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/mararijuana-facts-parents-need-to-know/talking-to-Oour-kids-communicing-risks
