PS452 Psychopharmacology of Alcohol and Drugs discussion
THC Dependence
Brief Counseling for Marijuana Dependence
Use the article Brief Counseling for Marijuana Dependence to respond to these discussion questions. To find the proper pages, the page numbers for the Brief Counseling guide are the ones that should be typed into the page finder at the top of the page (note that they are different than the numbers in the table of contents). Select one of the scenarios in the guide found on pages 10-11 to use in your response.
- Briefly summarize the client’s (from the selected scenarios) main problem according to the client. Then, explain what the real problem is (related to cannabis use).
- Create an explanation of the effects of continued cannabis use on the body and brain. Write the explanation from the perspective of an addiction professional who might work with your client.
- Using the Overview of Session 4 information in the reading (begins on p.115 of the guide) and information from the assigned chapter, explain how people become dependent on cannabis . Then suggest a strategy that the client in your chosen scenario might use to explore his/her addictive patterns.
Psychopharmacology of Alcohol and Drugs
I chose the case was for Doug. According to the case, Doug is married and the father of two teenagers. Doug is addicted to the use of marijuana. However, he did not find it a need to seek assistance, as he did not believe there was a problem with him using marijuana and being an addict. Either his wife had threatened request by giving him an ultimatum to quit the use of marijuana, or they part ways. Being a marijuana addicts makes the wife concerned as she feels her children are insecure and at great risk (Steinberg et al. 2005). This is because one child was kicked out of school because of smoking marijuana. This shows how the children could easily get into marijuana use at a young age. Doug’s wife had noted that the children had, on several occasions, seen him use marijuana. The challenging issue for the family is Doug’s marijuana use and not understanding the risk as well as seeking help to change the behavior.
Having used marijuana for long, Doug’s will experience various changes in the brain and body. Marijuana is known to have mind-altering compounds, which affect both the brain and body. THC will change the way Doug process information, hence impairing his judgment. The effect on the hippocampus makes it difficult to form new memories when high on Marijuana (Steinberg et al. 2005). One major issue has cognitive effects from his continued use of marijuana. He will be slow in completing tasks hence affecting his job as well as his responsibilities to the family by losing his job with the effect on his short-term memory. The body effects include chronic conditions with his reproductive system, lungs as well as his immune system.
The addiction risk of marijuana is not much compared to that of cocaine and heroin. The pattern of marijuana use is characterized by many typical signs and symptoms of drug addiction. His withdrawal from marijuana use is way less harmful though irritating to the users as they experience a disruption in sleep patterns, having changes in their eating habits. One aspect that, as a counselor, I can deal with, understands the amount of marijuana that Doug has in his system. This can be achieved by having him tested the THC level. The other step understands the reason behind his marijuana use. This will play a critical role in establishing the best way possible to cease the use of marijuana.
References:
Steinberg, K. L., Roffman, R. A., Carroll, K. M., McRee, B., Babor, T. F., Miller, M., … & Stephens, R. (2005). Brief counseling for marijuana dependence: a manual for treating adults. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
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