Substance Abuse in Cannabis

Running Head: Psychology Research 0
SUBSTA
NCE
ABUSE

PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH 1
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Etiology of Substance Abuse.....................................................................................................2
Development of Substance Use.............................................................................................2
Substance Abuse....................................................................................................................3
Etiology..................................................................................................................................3
Problematic Use.....................................................................................................................4
Identification of Cannabis disorder............................................................................................4
Misuse and Abuse......................................................................................................................4
Use..........................................................................................................................................6
Reduce Progression....................................................................................................................6
Evaluation..............................................................................................................................7
Side Effects............................................................................................................................7
Treatment...............................................................................................................................7
Societies Contribution................................................................................................................8
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................9
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................10

PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH 2
Introduction
Cannabis also called as pot, hash, weed and more commonly as marijuana, is a plant
that contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) a psychoactive ingredient that rapidly enters the
bloodstream through lungs, when smoked, and immediately produces a ‘high’. It is an illegal
substance which is usually consumed by young adults, more commonly by males than
females. Marijuana is legalised in many states as it offers medical cure and is used for
recreational purposes thus it becomes important to realise the ill effects of its overusage too.
In this paper the researcher will study the use, misuse and non-use of the marijuana
explaining how on the one hand, it is recommended by medical professionals to some people
to restore order in their bodies because of its curative characteristics whereas on the other
hand its frequent usage produces amotivational syndrome(AS) driving lack of desire to
accomplish anything and creates disorder.
Etiology of Substance Abuse
Development of Substance Use
With marijuana getting legalised by State legislatures, it is getting acceptable in the society
and its use has increased as it has been propagated that it has potential health benefits.
Whether consumption of marijuana has therapeutic benefits is still an issue to be confirmed
but it is being advised by many medical practitioners among state to their patients for various
reasons. And with this the intake of cannabis is increasing, as once a person starts consuming

PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH 3
cannabis, his body feels the requirement everytime its free from the effect cannabis produces
and thus result in increased intake. This frequent use of marijuana, for medicinal/non-
medicinal purposes, despite it causing harm to the body results into substance abuse.
Substance Abuse
Cannabis addiction develops slowly and gradually, it initially starts as a casual,
infrequent or occasional consumption and gradually increases to more frequent and regular
usage. The consumption becomes more intense and severe and turns into an addiction. Since
marijuana intoxication is not discoverable at an early stage as it does not produces observable
symptoms so it goes undetected in its early phase and people start smoking more and more
throughout the day and thus results in abuse. Now, let us first understand what substance
abuse means, substance abuse refers to that state of mind where a person due to excessive
intake of cannabis loses his cognitive ability to take a sensible decision in this case the person
even after knowing that marijuana is a hazard to his health cannot discontinue its
consumption. In other words, it is a continued use of marijuana even when it is resulting in
malfunctioning of psychological, physical or social behavioural orders. The Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5) has revised the definition by describing it
into 11 pathological patterns which we shall discuss at a later stage.
Etiology
The usage of cannabis differs according to demographics. As per a research
conducted by CM Neighbors in 2007, 42% college students most commonly use cannabis to
socially conform, 29% use to experiment with it and 24% of students consume marijuana for
entertainment purposes, 12% use cannabis to manage stress and 5% use it to manage
depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety etc (Patel Jason, 2019). Even
pregnant mothers have also reported usage of cannabis for managing stress, depression, pain,