Friday, May 09, 2008 8:57 AM
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR "Going to Pot" According to a recent study conducted by David Gorelick, MD, Ph D., of the National Institute on Drug Abuse in Baltimore, and colleagues at a recent American Psychiatric Association meeting, withdraw from marijuana appears to be the real deal. According to the study, approximately one third of marijuana users who made real efforts to quit the drug failed because of withdraw symptoms. The study confirms several smaller studies on the subject. According to Dr. Gorelick, "I think the consensus now is that there is a cannabis withdrawal syndrome... this warrants attention during treatment of cannabis dependence." Dr. Gorelick also mentioned that while cannabis withdraw was not included in the DSM-IV the next version would be inclusive of it. The following is an excerpt of an article from Medpage Today that reviews the study:
The findings came from questionnaires administered to 469 self-reported marijuana users 18 to 64 years old from the Baltimore area, who were recruited by advertisements and word of mouth.
About 28% reported more than 10,000 lifetime uses of marijuana, the equivalent of once-daily use for 27 years. More than half the sample reported at least 2,000 lifetime uses.
"We get the picture that these were heavier users," Dr. Gorelick said.
Some 90.6% had at least three dependence criteria as defined in DSM-IV's section on general substance dependence.
Fewer than half -- 42.4% -- said they had experienced withdrawal symptoms when they tried to quit.
Among those that did, reported symptoms were both physical and psychological, Dr. Gorelick said.
Click here to read the rest of this story from Medpage Today
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Rolf B. Gainer, Ph.D., Diplomate ABDA, is the Chief Executive Office at Brookhaven Hospital and the Vice President of Rehabilitation Institutes of America. Dr. Gainer has been involved in the design and operation of treatment programs since 1977.
Stephen Harnish, MD is the Medical Director of Brookhaven Hospital. Dr. Harnish is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and is well known in Oklahoma for his informative radio and television appearances.
Aric Thorpe, MHR, is Brookhaven Hospital's Pastoral Liaison Representative. He conducts the quarterly Minister's Lifeline series and provides mental health information to pastors and clergy.
Sarah McGee serves as the Community Education Provider for Brookhaven Hospital. She provides information on mental health and drug and alcohol treatment to healthcare professionals in Oklahoma and surrounding states. |
