Marijuana is a drug.docx

Marijuana ProblemMeiChen YuStudy in Human BehaviorStudent MeichenMarch 5,2012Marijuana Problem Marijuana is one kind of drug in some countries, but some people use marijuana as one of the safest recreational substances available.However if people used marijuana excessively,its therapeutic action will become side effects.So at that time the marijuana is not medical, but it is a dangerous drug which affects peoples life,including effects on the brain, heart, and the lungs. And, according to recent government studies, as many teenagers are smoking marijuana, the marijuana has effects on teenagers development when they used it. I chose to do my research on this topic because I have known several people of all ages who have suffered from the marijuana. In researching marijuana problem, I have focused on the following questions regarding the topic : What is marijuana? How it is used? What are short-term effects and long-term effects of marijuana ? What are the dangers for teens? What is the treatment to help individuals quit marijuana ?This paper presents some of information that I found regarding the above questions . What is marijuana? Marijuana is a drug (illegal in many countries) made from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, it is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa)(NIDA,2010). Cannabis is a term which refers to marijuana and other drugs made from the same plant. There are many different slang terms for marijuana and other drugs and they can change quickly and vary from region to region. But no matter what its form or label, all cannabis preparations are mind-altering (psychoactive) because they all contain THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). They also contain more than 400 other chemicals.(NIDA,2010;ADA,n.d;Teens Health,2009)How is it used? Marijuana can be used in different ways:one common way is used in a cigarette called a joint , which is so strong. And the second way is used in a pipe which is called a bong . And it is also used in blunts( hollowed-out cigars ). However,some people used it in food and brew it in the tea .Marijuana also can be used in medicine ,for people who got cancer or AIDS. It helps them recover their appetite. In addition,some teens used marijuana as the availablerecreational substances. But if people teenagers used excess marijuana ,the marijuana will become an addictive substance. (NIDA,2010)What are short-term effects and long-term effects of marijuana ?The short-term effects of marijuana include : Judgment, and distorted perception problem Reduce short-term memory Reduce ability to do something ( losing control ) Problem with coordination Affects physical health ( heartbeat , pulse rate , bloodshot eyes and the dry mouth and throat )The long-term effects of marijuana include: Affects brain functioning Daily life including less job achievement More mental health problems Compulsive drug seeking and despite the harmful effects.(Teens Health,2009;T.,2011)What are the dangers for teens? From the research,we know that marijuana affects teenagers development. Some teenagers who are in the adolescence ,are more likely to make a decision by theirself and have less perception of values. So when the teenagers start to use marijuana ,it is hard to quit. They think marijuana has been one of the safest recreational substances available. Some teenagers think that cocaine, heroine, alcohol, and cigarettes are more dangerous than marijuana who used marijuana excessively will have more risks of sleepiness, confusion, hallucinations, and paranoia.(ADA,n.d.)What is the treatment to help individuals quit marijuana ? Most individuals with marijuana abuse need comprehensive treatment.The first treatment is called cognitive-behavioral therapy,the cognitive-behavioral treatment teaches people who abuse marijuana skills to help them to stop using the drugs, and then how to use some ways to avoid or manage other problems that may prevent them from marijuana use recovery.The second treatment is called family therapy;a family member can help the individual to manage marijuana withdrawal and to avoid relapse . At the same time psychotherapeutic approaches to treatment are used ,like heart to heart talks or other lateral communication.(Teens Health,2009;)Conclusion Marijuana is the most common illegal drug in some countries and it is also used in different ways . People may put marijuana into the cigarette, into a pipe or a water pipe, in alcohol, or in tobacco, except for medical marijuana. They used marijuana as the available recreational substance. But for people who used marijuana excessively ,it will affect the users daily life and affects their mental health; therefore ,it can even cause war and crime between people . As a result marijuana is a highly addictive drug or psychotropic substance,especially for the teenagers.Reference1 NIDA for Teens(2011,Oct).The science behind drug abuse . Retrieved from /facts/facts_mj2.php2 NIDA Info Facts.(2011,Nov).National institute on drug abuse. Retrieved from 3 TeensHealth(2009) .Marijuana.Retrieved from/teen/drug_alcohol/drugs/marijuana.html#4 MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH