Marijuana Could Be An "Exit Drug"

[Jim Finnel]

An often heard assertion about marijuana is that it’s a “gateway drug,” one that leads young people into using more dangerous drugs over time. But new research and programs are now examining its potential as an exit drug.

A recent study of a medical marijuana patients group found that a significant number of them were using the drug as a substitute for alcohol and other drugs

Forty percent have used cannabis as a substitute for alcohol, 26% as a substitute for illicit drugs and 66% as a substitute for prescription drugs. The most common reasons given for substituting were: less adverse side effects (65%), better symptom management (57%), and less withdrawal potential (34%) with cannabis.

The study reported in the Harm Reduction Journal focused more specifically on the use of marijuana as a treatment of alcoholism. A study of 92 medical marijuana patients using the drug as a substitute for alcohol found that marijuana was an effective treatment in 100 percent of the cases:

When addressing the efficacy of cannabis as a substitute for alcohol, all participants reported cannabis substitution as very effective (50%) or effective (50%). Ten percent of the patients reported being abstinent from alcohol for more than a year and attributed their success to cannabis. Twenty one percent of patients had a return of alcoholic symptoms when they stopped using cannabis. Reasons for stopping the cannabis use ranged from entering the armed forces to being arrested for using cannabis.

The use of marijuana as a “harm reduction” strategy in addiction and mental health services is being tested at the Harborside Health Center in Oakland, CA., in a program funded by the area’s largest medical marijuana dispensary. Harm Reduction Clinical Consultant Jennifer Janichek explained to the East Bay Express that harm reduction philosophy is that people will engage in risky behavior, so a focus should be on reducing the harm associated with those risks. Examples are needle exchanges, condom disbursements, and seat belt laws. And now, maybe “a little pot over a lot of OxyContin.”


NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: newmexicoindependent.com
Author: Marjorie Childress
Copyright: 2010 The New Mexico Independent
Contact: Contact Us New Mexico Independent
Website: Marijuana could be an “exit drug” New Mexico Independent

• Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article

 

[FreakNature]

You have to love this. So many people will get all puckered up and squirm at the thought of this. This is proven in my life.

 

[Tiger Balm]

This is so important! !*!*!*!
from the report:
The subject reported increased ego strength, useful behaviour, ability to control cannabis intake, euphoria and tranquilization. In addition, there were improvements in concentration, disposition, physical health, ability to revisit social situations and ability to appropriately express anger [11].
That says it all, right there.

 

[colitas]

When I started smoking for the first time at 46 as a patient back in 02/25/2008, I had enjoyed relaxing over at the casino for some weekly Texas Hold'em. Got lucky three times to be part of the house jack pot- dif. kind of pot- and never concidered myself having a problem even though the times where I did'nt have the extra cash to go for fun I actually felt withdrawal like systems or cravings to go play. The point is that once I started to medicate I lost all desire to play in fact I had to force myself one last time to go play but the other reason was to cash out on my frequent player points and buy some merchandise as a parting momento. I truly believe that MMJ can be used effectively as an 'exit' medicine from all the other corrosive prescription drugs and illicit drugs. It helps people with PTSD whether war related or some other trauma. People with any compulsive disorder can be better managed with MMJ without a doubt.

 

[Steve McStoferson]

I have to agree with all points. I was heavily into alcohol and ended up gaining weight and became much less healthy. Once switching to Cannabis, I lost the weight, look much better, and feel much healthier. I have less rage and anger and am far more under control of myself than when I was constantly drinking.

 

[colitas]

I have to agree with all points. I was heavily into alcohol and ended up gaining weight and became much less healthy. Once switching to Cannabis, I lost the weight, look much better, and feel much healthier. I have less rage and anger and am far more under control of myself than when I was constantly drinking.

absolutely, I too have lost weight despite all the joking about having the munchies when medicated....I drink carrot and orange juice daily....eat healthier and have not had the reaccuring fall bronchial throat and chest infections ive had ea. year prior to using. Nothing like being Born Again...which in my prior post I do concider 2/25/08 My B.A.D. born again date.....lol...