One out of every 10 individuals who use cannabis become addicted to it. The percentage increases if you began to utilize pot before the age of 18 to a one in six chance. Weed is becoming legal in many states, especially when prescribed by a physician. It is not that difficult to find an ailment that fits the criteria for a medical cannabis card.
What Is Medical Cannabis and What Is It Used For?
At first, medical cannabis was introduced to aid with unpleasant side effects like nausea due to chemotherapy or from the AIDS virus. Some of the FDA approved medications that have a THC base include dronabinol (Marinol®) and nabilone (Cesamet®). Both of these are prescribed in pill form.
In Canada, the United Kingdom, and other places in Europe there are trials for Nabiximols, a mouth spray, that may be able to help treat the muscle spasms and neuropathic discomfort that may come with having a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. This drug combines THC and CBD. Unfortunately, there has not been much conclusive research completed regarding long-term effects of medical cannabis
Medical Pot and Other Addictive Substances
There have been studies proving that medicinal weed can decrease the use of other addictive substances and overdose rates. In 2014, it came to light that, between 1999 to 2010, the states that held medical cannabis laws had less of an increase in opioid painkiller overdose fatality rates versus those states that did not have medical cannabis laws in effect. In 2019, a study was completed to see if there were any changes to these statistics. The opposite was proven to be true in the years leading up to 2017. Deaths due to overdoses of opioids were 22.7% more than predicted in states that held medical cannabis laws. This was not due to changes in the strictness of the laws.
Where Can I Get Help Quitting Cannabis, Alcohol, Opiates, or Other Addictive Substances?
We know that just because something is prescribed, it does not mean we will not overuse the substance nor that we will not abuse it. This is just as true for medical cannabis as it is for opioids. If you need help to stop the use of any substance, regardless of its legality, please ask for that help. The type of aid needed to kick an addiction is not the same for every person, so there are, thankfully, many options. Alternative rehabilitation centers are an amazing option for many individuals.
Give us a call today at 1-800-725-0922. Discovery Place is here to answer your admission questions any time of day, any day of the week. We offer a long term rehab option as well as a 30-day program, a continuing care program, and a family matters workshop. We also offer 12-Step recovery guides to aid you along in your journey. Do not waste another minute that could be spent enjoying your life. We are just a phone call away!
