The Canyon

Michael Phelps

So Michael Phelps, Olympic gold medalist eight times over, recently had his picture taken smoking marijuana from a bong. Not that it matters that it was from a bong as opposed to any other smoking device, just that it was undeniable what he was smoking based on the fact that he was smoking out of a bong. And on a college campus, the University of South Carolina to be exact. Yeah, it really didn’t look good for him, especially since he was one of 12 Olympic athletes who signed the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency “My Victory” initiative last year with the goal and intent of keeping competitive sports clean.

Proof of Marijuana Abuse is Not Yet In

There’s the picture, yes, but a sheriff’s office in South Carolina is looking into the allegations, making an actual criminal investigation into the matter. There is talk of criminal charges being filed against Phelps if it is in fact found to be true.

Sheriff Leon Lott said: “If someone breaks the law in Richland County, we have an obligation as law enforcement to investigate and to bring charges. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is making an effort to determine if Mr. Phelps broke the law. If he did, he will be charged in the same manner as anyone else. The sheriff has a responsibility to be fair, to enforce the law and to not turn a blind eye because someone is a celebrity.”

However, both the Columbia, South Carolina police and the university police say they won’t press charges.

What Phelps Says About the Marijuana Abuse

I’m not sure what exactly the investigation is about, since Phelps seems to admit that he was smoking weed. Why else would he apologize and call his behavior “regrettable”? Phelps says:

“I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment.  I’m 23 years old, and despite the successes I have had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner that people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public — it will not happen again.”

The U.S. Olympic Committee also issued a statement that said, “Michael has acknowledged that he made a mistake and apologized for his actions. We are confident that, going forward, Michael will consistently set the kind of example we all expect from a great Olympic champion.”

Marijuana Abuse Versus Marijuana Addiction

The difference between the two issues can be very clearly shown by this example. Once or twice having used marijuana is not marijuana addiction. It is bad judgment, maybe, but it is not a medical issue that requires treatment. However, if one is using marijuana daily, multiples times a day, choosing to get high despite the pain it causes others who are close to them, the problems it causes at work or the threat to their own physical and mental health and safety as well as the safety of others, than that is marijuana addiction and it requires medical treatment.

Marijuana Addiction

It’s all very sciency-schmiency but I’ll lay it out for you. According to Medical News Today and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, changes that occur in a molecular pathway in the brain when you smoke marijuana have been linked to symptoms of schizophrenia.

In Layman’s Terms: Marijuana is No Good For Your Head

Neurotransmitters necessary for memory and other cognitive processes are diminished when you smoke pot. For those who have schizophrenia, this neurotransmitter is already inhibited and smoking weed makes it even worse. But it’s not just a danger for those who already have schizophrenia.

David A. Lewis, M.D. is a corresponding author of a recent study on the connection between schizophrenia and marijuana abuse and a UPMC Endowed Professor in Translational Neuroscience, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He says, “Heavy marijuana use, particularly in adolescence, appears to be associated with an increased risk for the later development of schizophrenia, and the course of illness is worse for people with schizophrenia who use marijuana.”

Marijuana Addiction: No Such Thing as Innocent Experimentation

The problem with marijuana is that few people take it seriously. Those who experimented with it back in the ‘60s and ‘70s lived through it just fine, most without developing schizophrenia or addictions to other drugs often feel that there’s no harm in a little flirting when it comes to the green stuff. Unfortunately, the weed that was in circulation back then was far less potent than what is on the streets today. Whether it’s from Canada, Mexico or homegrown, today’s marijuana is exceedingly strong with higher levels of THC, which makes its effects that much more harmful. It’s also easier to find. More and more people are learning how to grow it themselves and with the advent of medical marijuana, more pharmaceutical grade product is making its way to the street.

Finding Marijuana Addiction Treatment

Few drug rehab facilities cater to the needs of those who suffer from marijuana addiction. It’s a sad commentary on the state of drug addiction treatment in the United States and the weight of the problem with addiction in general that so little has been developed in the way of specific marijuana addiction treatment.

At The Canyon, every person who comes to stay with us enjoys a highly unique drug rehab experience. Contact us today for more information on the marijuana rehab program that we can provide you or someone you love struggling with marijuana addiction.

Medical Marijuana Rehab

You’d think that medical marijuana would—by virtue of being medication—be inherently, if not healthy, at least safe, right? Well, apparently, the results of research focused on whether or not marijuana is good for your health or another problem needing treatment are mixed.

According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) and Medical News Today, a review of studies done on medical marijuana over the last 40 years was recently published and found that “short-term use appeared to increase the risk of non-serious adverse events.”

More research is definitely needed on the topic, especially on the effects of long-term use of the drug. But here’s what we know:

Smoke is Smoke is Smoke

Smoke it for a physical health issue or smoke it for recreation: the fact remains that you are still smoking. Like cigarettes, it’s not just the toxins associated with tobacco or marijuana that are dangerous but the smoke itself. Marijuana smoke is just as harmful to your lungs, throat and mouth, opening you up for breathing problems and cancer risk just like cigarettes.

Marijuana Use and Psychological Health Issues

Your body doesn’t know the purpose of marijuana use. Whether you use the drug to help you relax after work or with the hopes that it will help ease a physical health symptom, marijuana is still linked to the development of certain mental illnesses.

Weighing the Risks

Like all medical measures, there are residual effects and side effects associated with marijuana use when used to treat a medical problem, just like there are with a number of drugs. Maybe your nausea will be eased, but now you’re too tired to get out of bed.

And then there’s the matter of dosing. Most who have a medical marijuana card are not prescribed a certain amount of the drug each day. The variances in different kinds of marijuana make this almost impossible. Patients are left to figure out how much they need and when on their own. Addiction is almost a guarantee under these circumstances. And when there is addiction present, a new medical need for marijuana addiction treatment arises.

Medical Treatment for Medical Marijuana Addiction

Are you addicted to marijuana? If you need help treating your addiction to the drug, even if you also need treatment for mental illness associated or not with your marijuana use, you can find that help at The Canyon.

Have you used medical marijuana to treat an illness? What was your experience? How did you feel? What facts did you use to weigh the risks and what did you eventually discover in your personal experience?