Marijuana abuse

Marijuana (Cannabis Indica) and (Cannabis Sativa) is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. Nationally, 5.1% of Americans said they used marijuana in the past 30 days. Marijuana use among the adolescent population has increased within the past 5 years. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)'s 2010 Monitoring the Future Survey, a national survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders showed that in 2010, 12.5% of 8th graders, 28.8% of 10th graders, and 36.4% of 12th graders reported past-year marijuana use.
The primary active chemical marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); and its effects of marijuana use include induced relaxation and heighten the senses. Scientific research also reveals that marijuana use (like all other substance abuse) can have significant effects particularly on the adolescents’ developing brain.
Diagnostic Criteria
According to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), Cannabis-Use Disorders are categorized into Cannabis Dependence and Cannabis Abuse. For a person to meet criteria for a Cannabis Abuse Disorder, he or she must endorse at least one symptom of the following within the context of the person's marijuana use: Substance Abuse, defined as a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one (or more) of the following, occurring within a 12-month period: (1) recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g. repeated absences or poor work performances related to substance use, substance related absences, suspensions, or expulsions from school, neglect of children or household) (2) recurrent substance use in situation in which it is physically hazardous (e.g. driving an automobile or operating a machine when impaired by substance use) (3) recurrent substance-related legal problems (e.g. arrests for substance related disorderly conduct) (4) continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance (e.g. arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication, physical fights); and the person's symptoms have never met the criteria for Substance Dependence for this class of substance.
Treatment and Resources
Due to the associated risks involved with Marijuana Abuse particularly among adolescents, many people believe that intervention and treatment are critical. Common therapies that treat marijuana abuse disorders can include psychoeducation, motivational enhancement therapy or motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

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