Yes, Im Dependent on Weed.

[Cattledog]

Do I smoke too much pot? It’s a question I’ve asked myself over the years, and it raised its uncomfortable head this week as I absorbed the results of the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

The first thing to note about the report is the good news. One of the major and legitimate fears of those who have opposed legalization is that teen use would increase. Weed is genuinely harmful to the developing adolescent brain and those of us who passionately advocated legalization argued that making it legal would actually make it harder for teens to get hold of on the black market, and thereby could actually reduce teen use. And so far, happily, we’ve been proven right. Teen use of weed is now at its lowest since 1994, and has dropped by a statistically meaningful amount since 2014, when the first states legalized it for recreational use. Adult use has continued to rise — so that now, 21 percent of the 18–25 age bracket smoke weed monthly or more (up from 13 percent in 1990), and 14.5 percent between 26 and 34 (up from 9.5 percent in 1990). But it’s only marginally up since some states legalized — and at the same time there’s been a small but meaningful drop in alcohol consumption. Slam dunk for our side.

But what stood out for me was how much of the use is concentrated among us daily stoners. In 2002, we were only 12 percent of users; now we’re over 18 percent. Of the total amount of weed consumed, we comprise a much bigger percentage than anyone else. And daily use of weed is around three times as common as daily use of booze. So what? Well, the question is really something called “dependence.” The DSM IV definition of this is a little vague. It’s not a physiological condition like addiction. Rather it’s defined thus by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: problems with emotions and mental health, difficulties with family and friends, taking time off from work or school, and being unable to cut down. As a percentage, more pot users admit to such problems than boozers.

Read more at:

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/09/yes-im-dependent-on-weed.html?utm_campaign=nym&utm_source=fb&utm_medium=s1

[GusBob]

1. Woah, Andrew Sullivan. I had no idea.

But then again why would I? But then again he has mellowed over the years.

Interesting read as I hang around with a bunch of heavy daily users. I am maybe a twice a month user. Depends on the time of the year and my work schedule.

But a few things I have noticed about my daily use buddies : they are really dependent, seems as if they are lightening up more frequently "chasing that elusive buzz" I call it. I guess there is nothing like the initial high, which is one good thing about being a part-time user you appreciate that more. But my friends, I dunno if they are getting higher or just wasting money.

The other thing, they can be irritable and downright grouchy at times.

And of course they are more and more forgetful

[tblue37]

5. People with certain kinds of emotional and psychological problems often self-medicate.

Alcohol & addictive street drugs are common choices. Overeating is another.

In fact, many addictive behaviors--including gambling, binge shopping, sex addiction, etc.--start out as an attempt to self-medicate because of such problems. And of course some self-medicate for chronic pain.

Of the many ways to deal with such issues, smoking weed is one of the least dangerous and destructive, but obviously just as with any other compulsive behavior, some people will not be able to prevent their addiction from interfering with their ability to function normally in life.

OTOH, most people handle their self-soother of choice just fine, so there is no reason why attempts to control the few who can't should deny those who can access to whatever they need to deal with what ails them.

Sure, the best approach is to solve the emotional and psychological problems, but effective therapeutic intervention is not usually an option, so people find their own way to face the world.

[WinstonSmith00]

10. Ive never met anybody

Who couldnt function normally in life because of cannibis. Every smoker i know is hard working and dependable.

I know plenty of sober people that are just plan lazy. But cannibis does not lower productivity.

[tblue37]

12. I have known a couple--but I never knew them before they became stoners, and I

suspect that they were pretty nonfunctional then, too. The only thing weed did, I imagine, was dull the pain for them.

IOW, when I knew them they seemed to be nonfunctional stoners, but in reality, they were probably just nonfunctional people, with or without weed. In both cases, they were using weed to deal with severe depression.

[tblue37]

6. When someone who is pot-dependent goes off it cold turkey, they are likely to

Last edited Tue Sep 26, 2017, 11:16 PM - Edit history (1)

experience a period of depression or paranoia, but usually it lasts for just a few days, and they can weather it better if they know it is coming.

I don't use weed, but many of my friends have, and I have observed these effects in them.

[joshcryer]

7. It's illegal in the UK.

Like, they don't even have a medical use for it, it's blanket illegal to grow, possess, or sell.

I think he currently lives in the US. But this is some kind of thing right here.

[WinstonSmith00]

11. I know people that are downright grouchy

When they dont get their coffee.

Ive known people who had no effect off first time use or no high at all. Cannibis is not like chasing the dragon.

[KT2000]

2. had a friend who attended

meetings to stop dependence on weed. It was a university doctor who was dependent who started the group. It was attended by people in all walks of life, some very surprising. In his case it did not take. I knew he was self-medicating so it was best for him.

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. If articles like this keep showing up, I suspect Sessions' War on Drugs is encouraging the focus

Then again, I would not be surprised to see a higher percentage of users, given that 22 or so states have legalized use.

Of Course daily stoners would "comprise a much bigger percentage than anyone else." of weed consumed.
Duh

Article was not clear if the "daily stoners" include medical use people. Significant issue.

[HeartachesNhangovers]

4. I wonder if the "Facebook effect" is responsible for

some of the drop in teen use? Meaning: What self-respecting teen wants to use the same drugs as their mom/dad/grandparents?

I'm 56, so it isn't surprising that almost all the dope-smokers I know are in their 50's, 60's and 70's. And some of them (yes, I mean you, step-aunt Shery) are pretty uncool.

[WinstonSmith00]

8. There is no evidence for

It being harmful to a developing brain. Many extremely intelligent creative imaginative and successful people began use as a teenager.

There is no evidence for it being harmful to the brain at all. Infact there are studies that show to help the brain recover after trauma or injury.

As far as dependency goes every person is different. Just like with alcohol not everybody becomes an alcoholic. The way human bodies react to chemicals is different from person to person. Thats why some people like it some people hate it and some people could take it or leave it.

What this study tells me is 18% of the population is being discriminated against because they choose to consume a plant that in a majority of places could still send you to jail and prison. Maybe the spike is due to the lessened stigma and increased legalization that allow people to admit they are daily users.

But the fact remains it is a fairly benign and relatively safe plant and people are still having their lives destroyed by our government for using this plant. Grandfathers grand mothers moms dads peoples livelyhoods and belongings stolen because our government says marijauana is bad mmm kay.

Legalize it!

[mountain grammy]

9. Slam dunk for OUR side..

me and Andrew Sullivan on the same side? Well, he does hate dotard, so there's that too.