Marijuana is the single most widely abused illegal drug in the United States, and usage rates have been trending higher in recent years, particularly among young people. Studies show that marijuana is widely perceived to be a relatively low-risk drug, making many people unaware or ill-informed about the potential dangers it poses.Recent research findings suggest that marijuana use, particularly during adolescence, increases the risk of developing mental illness or suffering a psychotic episode. Experts believe this may be partially due to the fact that new cultivation technologies yield marijuana plants with far stronger concentrations of psychoactive chemicals than ever before, posing greater degrees of risk to users.
Myths and Facts about Marijuana
Some common misconceptions about marijuana include:
• Marijuana has low addiction potential. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that as many as 30 percent of marijuana users develop a problematic relationship with the drug, with many of those users advancing to the addiction stage. Regular marijuana use can lead to psychological dependence, which carries an increased risk of the health problems associated with it.
• Marijuana is a "safe" drug. Marijuana is linked to a wide range of short-term and long-term psychological and physical risks. It impairs cognitive processes, problem-solving abilities and memory, and has adverse effects on mood regulation and brain development. This is why it is so risky for adolescents to use the drug. Physically, marijuana can cause breathing problems if smoked, along with increased heart rate, potential pregnancy complications, and other serious side effects.
• Marijuana use during youth does not have adverse long-term developmental effects. New research shows that marijuana's negative cognitive effects can have long-term or even permanent consequences, even with relatively light use and if the user stops ingesting the drug at a young age. The bottom line: marijuana is much riskier than it is often made out to be.
Get Help for Marijuana Abuse and Addiction
The caring and empathetic professionals at Hope Academy Rehab specialize in the treatment of substance abuse issues affecting young people. If you or a loved one is struggling to control his or her marijuana use and you'd like to get help, we offer a full range of proven programs that generate lasting results. For further information about our programs and our California-based treatment facility, please reach out and contact us.
