‘Did You Know’ the drug of choice for untreated ADHD and ADD individuals is usually marijuana?
A significant risk factor for adolescent dependence and abuse of marijuana is the presence of a dual-diagnosis such as ADHD, ADD, depression, anxiety, conduct disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, or specific learning disorders.
In private practice since 1992, ADD and ADHD are the most common disorders I see in individuals who are dependent on or who abuse marijuana. These individuals usually state that marijuana emotionally calms them down so they can better focus. They often describe marijuana as ‘all natural’ with less harmful side effects than traditional ADD/ADHD medication.
The absolute truth is that the harmful effects of marijuana include the following:
- A reduction in motivation
- An increase in mood swings and anxiety
- Poor concentration, mental confusion and paranoia
- Distortions of perception, thinking, and reality
- Difficulty in forming concepts and thoughts
- Depression, anxiety, aggression and hostility
- Sleepy looking and blood-shot eyes with dilated pupils
- Irritated membranes of the esophagus
- Cancer of the larynx, esophagus, and lungs
- Damage to the air sacs of the lungs
- Emphysema, inflamed bronchial tubes, and bronchitis
- Depression of the immune system
- Speeds up heartbeat as much as 50%
- Increases blood pressure and heart disease
- Decreases and degenerates sperm, sperm count and movement, and causes lowered sex drive; females can have egg damage, suppression of ovulation, disruption of menstrual cycles, and alteration of hormone levels
- Damages glands, organs, and hormones involved in growth, development, energy levels, and reproduction
- Can destroy the number of chromosomes, resulting in cell abnormalities and impaired function
- Use during pregnancy can lower birth weight and cause abnormalities similar to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – small head, irritability, poor growth and development
- Causes the brain to end production of brain chemicals necessary to feel good
- Accumulates in spaces between nerve cells in the brain, slowing and impairing the transfer of critical information
- Damages brain cells that control thinking, emotion, pleasure, mood coordination, and memory
- Causes chemical addiction to marijuana
For more details visit: Health & Drug Education Series
Addicts recover, die, or live their life in/out of probation, jail or prison…
What do you want for yourself and your family?
If you or a family member wants an evaluation to determine the presence of a dual-diagnosis such as ADHD, ADD, depression, anxiety, conduct disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, or specific learning disorders and marijuana abuse, please call me, Carol Ann Worthing, PhD, at 303-663-5846 or e-mail me using my Contact page here. I have over 20 years of professional experience with successful outcomes.
Carol Ann Worthing, PhD of Individual & Family Wholeness is a psychotherapist in private practice since 1992. She has her PhD in Psychology from Northcentral University in Arizona. She provides a safe and caring approach to your counseling and psychotherapy and evaluations for individuals, couples, families, and children. Her practice represents integrity, competency, and confidentiality, a safe and caring place for psychotherapy. It is her mission to guide you and your family to become emotionally and physically whole and to help you deliberately build your lives and families on that wholeness.