Denham Springs, Louisiana 7/7/2010 10:02:12 PM
Marijuana - The Real Facts
As the marijuana debate rages on, as the picketers begin lining up and as the health journals discuss the potential side effects, it is time to really examine both sides, and ultimately answer the question – should marijuana be legal? While this debate may never be settled, it is vital to understand the potential pitfalls associated with marijuana abuse.
Marijuana originates as a plant, it reaches consumers after it has been processed and dried out. There are many different ways to consume marijuana; however the most popular way to abuse marijuana is smoking the drug. One thing that almost all doctors can agree on is the harmful side effects that exist from smoking marijuana. One marijuana joint is equivalent to 15 cigarettes. Because of the amount of carcinogens in marijuana, the likelihood of cancer is much greater.
One of the most common misconceptions regarding marijuana is that there are no withdrawal symptoms when a person stops abusing the drug. While it is true that a marijuana addict will not experience physical withdrawal symptoms, they will experience mental withdrawal symptoms. Depression, anger, anxiety, and severe cravings are the most common withdrawal symptoms from marijuana.
One of the greatest debates between pro and anti marijuana activists is the question of whether or not marijuana is a gateway drug. What’s interesting is that the vast majority of heroin, cocaine, alcohol, and crystal meth addicts started off abusing marijuana. At some point, marijuana loses its appeal, it loses the ability to get the person high, and they eventually move on to “bigger and better” things. Now, this does not mean that everyone who abuses marijuana will have a heroin addiction, it does mean that many who abuse heroin, start off with marijuana.
For those who are struggling with an addiction to marijuana, the only real way to handle this is to enroll in a long-term, drug and alcohol rehab. One such rehab is Narconon Louisiana. Narconon Louisiana is located just outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This non-traditional rehab does not focus on the disease theory of rehabilitation. Instead, clients work one on one with a counselor to figure out what problem lead them to drug use in the first place. Once those problems are isolated and handled, clients no longer feel the need to resort to marijuana as a way of getting through life.
There are several unique aspects to the Narconon Louisiana program that contribute to their 76% success rate for permanent recovery. Clients are able to handle the constant presence of cravings, they are able to handle life and relationships and their responsibility in the unraveling of both.
Regardless of your idea of marijuana, whether it should be legalized or barred from society, there are thousands of people that started off abusing marijuana and are now fighting much more dangerous addictions.
If you or anyone you know is having a problem with marijuana or any other illicit drug, please call Narconon Louisiana at 866-422-4650 for more information. Our drug and alcohol counselors are here to help you and your family.
