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MENTAL
HEALTH
However,
what we DO know is that in some cases, there is an association
between cannabis and mental health problems. The debate is which
came first - mental health or cannabis? A quick look at the
debate:
1. Cannabis causes Mental Health Problems?
2. Cannabis makes Mental Health problems worse?
3. People use Cannabis to cope with a mental health problem (i.e
They didn't use it before they had a mental health problem -
'Self-Medication')?
4. Cannabis and Mental Health problems collide together with a
number of common variables so you can tell which came first but
it was a culmination of events and causes. A 'Common Cause'.?
So
it's not black and white and certainly some people will sway one
way more than the other. There is research available on all
those ideas. So the point is, there is risk, and as a service
who generally see those who have problems with their Cannabis
use we could safely pick all four options as reasons for their
use!
The mood changes caused by Cannabis - good and bad - should be
short term, will depend on the amount used and how often. If
someone had feelings of anxiety, paranoia or depression whilst
using, it would be expected that those effects would not persist
after the effects of the drug have worn off. Some unlucky
individuals can be left with short-term psychotic symptoms such
as hearing voices or extreme paranoia. If that happens - it's a
warning to firstly get medical assistance and not to use it or
other drugs without checking with your GP first. If you or
someone you know has lost a grip with reality (hearing voices,
delusions) and they are a Cannabis user then get them help today
either through your mental health service or
email us here for advice.
We do go on about
it but it has to be re-iterated - If you are feeling low, fed
up, anxious or depressed or just suffered a trauma - a spliff or
a bong is not a good idea. The chances of a negative effect are
very high.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
Risk of accidents increase
– especially if mixed with alcohol, your reflexes are
slower so operating machinery or driving a vehicle is dangerous.
The tar in cannabis joints contain 50% higher concentrations
of carcinogens than ordinary tobacco cigarettes and
therefore the risks of cancer are more so than as those associated
with cigarette smoking. According to the British Lung
Foundation 'just 3 cannabis joints a day cause the same damage
to the lung's airways as 20 cigarettes.'
'There are those who will also inhale deeper and hold the smoke
in their lungs for longer before exhaling - this results in more
poisonous carbon monoxide and tar entering the lungs.'
According to research by the ACMD, Cannabis itself contain cancer-causing
tars and when smoked 'the damage to the respiratory tract is
equal if not greater than that of smoking tobacco. There is an
increased incidence of chronic bronchitis and a potential long -
term risk of lung cancer. Severe cases of lung damage have also
been reported in young, very heavy users' so no -
it's not harmless.
It
can affect your short-term memory making study or having a conversation
or work more difficult. Despite the drug being around for
thousands of years, there is on-going study – and debate
- into the long term health effects.
Is it addictive?
There has been - and continues to be - much debate as to the
addictiveness of cannabis. There is growing evidence to
support the view that a dependence to cannabis exists, indeed,
the suggestion is that around 20% of smokers become addicted and
that's without taking the nicotine issue into account. In the
Isle of Man and UK, it's usual to mix cannabis with tobacco
and smoke it in a spliff or joint. If someone continues to
regularly use cannabis in this way then they are more than
likely to become addicted to nicotine which is physically &
mentally addictive as someone who's tried to give up fags will
tell you.
From our own experience we would agree there is a risk for
cannabis dependence for some people - because everyone's
different and more often than not if someone is using it for a
'reason' such as coping with things then a problem could be
more likely.
There are a number of physical and mental symptoms that can occur on stopping
cannabis use if you're a regular user , it varies from person to
person. These can include, sleep disturbance, aggression,
restlessness, anxiety, runny nose, upset stomach etc but
normally go away after about 14 days. There are things you can
do to help your body get better faster so get in touch!
If that sounds like you or someone you know and you're
having trouble stopping- and need help to quit, get in touch -
we run a 'Quit Cannabis Service' which is private &
confidential. Some people may require help to stop the
addiction to Nicotine that comes along if you have been using
tobacco in joints and as we also run the Quit 4 You Stop
Smoking Programme, Nicotine Replacement Therapy is available as
part of this programme.
Do you have a problem with your cannabis use?
In May 2006 we launched our
'Cannabis Check-Up' AND Smoking Cessation Service. It's designed to help anyone who smokes
cannabis avoid health problems and reduce the risk of
dependence on cannabis. If you would like to have a
confidential 10 minute self assessment call us on 615622 or
email us. This is confidential and there's no hassle - you
decide what to do with the results. No one is going to ask you
to quit or cut down - it's up to you to decide. Or if you
would like a free quitting info pack, get in touch.
Also see
www.clearhead.org.uk
for further advice & support.
The following may be an indication that you have a problem
with your cannabis use:
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Continuing to use despite physical or psychological problems
associated with use
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Using larger amounts or for longer than intended
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Persistent desire to use / unsuccessful efforts to control
your use
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You have given up or reduced activities you did in the past
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Spending a lot of time obtaining, using and recovering from
use
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Your use is causing problems with relationships, finances,
work and family
Risk of fatal overdose?
– None recorded. HOWEVER, deaths recorded where
cannabis was the drug used, the cause of death was inhalation
of vomit in conjunction with alcohol use. It is important to remember that cannabis is also
a mild sedative and therefore should not be mixed with
other drugs - particularly alcohol. Not only is it likely to
make you sick, but it increases your risk of falling asleep
(adding two depressants) and possibly choking on vomit.
*TRYING TO STOP OR CONTROL YOUR CANNABIS USE? IF YOU WOULD
LIKE A QUITTING
CANNABIS INFO PACK, PLEASE EMAIL
OR CALL US on 615622 FOR
A FREE COPY
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