Marijuana - The Effects, Treatment and Recovery

The effects of marijuana on each person depends on the type of cannabis and how much THC it contains; how the drug is taken; how experienced the user is; where the drug is used; and the use of other drugs and/or alcohol. Even genes can influence how cannaboids affect their physical and mental health. Although it’s common for some users to feel nothing at first use, others may feel high. Ordinary sights, sounds or tastes may seem extremely interesting or funny. Time seems to slow down. Sometimes the user feels very hungry or thirsty. As the immediate effects fade, usually after 2 to 3 hours, the user may become sleepy.

Short term use: Intoxication, a dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, some loss of coordination and poor sense of balance, and slower reaction time. Blood vessels in the eye expand, so the user's eyes look red. For some people, marijuana raises blood pressure and can double the normal heart rate.

Some users, especially someone new to the drug or in a strange setting, may suffer acute anxiety and have paranoid thoughts. This is more likely to happen with high doses of THC. In rare cases, a user who has taken a very high dose of the drug can have severe psychotic symptoms and need emergency medical treatment.

Stronger doses intensify reactions. The individual may experience shifting sensory imagery, rapidly fluctuating emotions, fragmentary thoughts with disturbing associations, an altered sense of self- identity, impaired memory, and a dulling of attention despite an illusion of heightened insight. High doses may result in image distortion, a loss of personal identity, fantasies, and hallucinations. This is one reason why hashish, or hashish oil, is so dangerous. These substances are a more concentrated, resinous form of cannabis. Hash oil, a sticky black liquid, is highly concentrated.

Long term effects: Marijuana hinders the user's short-term memory (memory for recent events), and he or she may have trouble handling complex tasks. With the use of more potent varieties of marijuana, even simple tasks can be difficult. Because of the drug's effects on perceptions and reaction time, users could be involved in auto crashes. Drug users also may become involved in risky sexual behaviors, which could lead to the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Under the influence of marijuana, students may find it hard to study and learn. Young athletes could find their performance is off; timing, movements, and coordination are all affected by THC.

Up until a few years ago, it was hard to find treatment programs specifically for marijuana users. Treatments for marijuana dependence were much the same as therapies for other drug abuse problems. These include behavioral therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy; multi-systemic therapy; individual and group counseling; and regular attendance at 12-step meetings. Recently, other methods to help marijuana users abstain from drug use were tested.

Progress in treatment to help marijuana users includes a number of programs set up to help adolescents in particular. Some of these programs are in university research centers, where most of the young clients report marijuana as their drug of choice.

Others are in independent adolescent treatment facilities. Speak to a professional therapist, pediatrician, physician or other professional counselor who has experience dealing with young marijuana-dependant users for information about appropriate treatment for your child. Each child is different. What are the underlying problems, if any?