marijuana

Is Marijuana Addictive?

May 23, 2017 // by Aton Center

There are a lot of competing perspectives on marijuana and whether it is truly addictive. So is it? A drug is considered addictive if it makes you dependent on it. In other words, you get withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it. You also crave an addictive drug – as in you just really want to take it – even when it isn’t around. First off, anything that you are using habitually to change your mood, you probably have a craving for.

At some point today you probably thought to yourself, “I really want a cup of coffee.” Or even: “I really need a cup of coffee.” So, for the majority of people, habitual marijuana use certainly fits that criteria. Does it lead to physical dependence? In short, yes. According to PsychCentral, marijuana withdrawal symptoms include depression, anxiety, loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, abdominal pain, sweating, shakiness, chills, headache and even fever. And some of these symptoms, like insomnia, can last more than a month.

The thing is, like with so many drugs, it is easy to start to tell yourself that you need it – to feel less anxious, to eat, to sleep, etc. Just like we think we need our coffee to wake up in the morning, when really we can’t wake up because we have conditioned ourselves to need coffee.

The truth is, marijuana makes these things worse. Yes, even anxiety. Just think about your coffee!

Kirsten Helgager, Psy.D. – PSY27247
Clinical Psychologist
AToN Center 888-535-1516

Medical Marijuana

May 20, 2017 // by Aton Center

When physicians choose to prescribe most medications they do so based on the overall clinical picture of the patient. If a patient has diabetes, for example, they will be evaluated for an appropriate medication such as Metformin or Insulin. Not only that, a competent physician will discuss with them how to regulate their diet, increase exercise and get support with these changes. Medical marijuana, on the other hand, has become almost patient-choice.

A patient decides they need (or want) marijuana, and they can go to a clinic that advertises that they provide medical marijuana cards. The patient just needs to complain of a back ache, and low and behold — they get a card that gives them all the rights and privileges to that drug. There is no follow up visit to the physician to see how it is working, no referral for physical therapy or discussion around lifestyle.

Rarely does that doctor collaborate with the patient’s other providers to make sure they are getting the big picture. While medical marijuana certainly may have a place, for many people we can still see the addictive behavior that is also supported and normalized by a new, under-regulated system that opens the doors for players who are hungry for profits.

If you or someone you know needs help with marijuana addiction call AToN Center with your questions about 24 hour inpatient care.

Kirsten Helgager, Psy.D. – PSY27247
Clinical Psychologist
AToN Center 888-535-1516

Substitute Socialization – Addiction for Social Reasons

September 26, 2015 // by Aton Center

Substitute Socialization. Initially many people get into their addictions because of social reasons. Their main group of friends are drinkers and go out clubbing on the weekends. Your buddies all got into marijuana and that became the evening activity people would gather around. However if an addiction progresses the person may find that the socialization largely recedes into the background and that the drinking and drugs become your “friend.” You sit at home isolated and alone but the feeling is numbed by the substances.

Getting into recovery almost always means changing this dynamic and learning how to get the benefits that some from spending time with other human beings. The fulfillment that comes from interacting in a meaningful, open and fun way can not be substituted by chemicals. It may mean learning how to activate those social skills all over again but once you find that tribe, those buddies, those groups, the substances all pale in comparison to that kind of connection.

All the Best,

Dr. Chad K. Cox PsyD

AToN Center 888-535-1516

Most Common Substance Addictions Afflicting Americans Each Day

April 18, 2012 // by Aton Center

Drug abuse has plagued the United States for centuries, and it continues to endanger the lives of children and adults alike. Fortunately, there is a way out for those who have developed a dependence on drugs and alcohol. If you are interested in learning about the most commonly abused substances in America, then review the information below.

•Marijuana – There is controversy surrounding the opinion that marijuana is an addictive drug. However, statistics show that it acts as a gateway drug to more addictive substances. Marijuana can also interfere with a person’s life in many of the same ways as other addictive substances. For example, it slows users down, inhibits their ability to react appropriately to situations, and can lead to a variety of lifestyle changes.

•Alcohol addiction can start during childhood or late in life. Those who begin drinking during childhood typically start around the age of 12, and become full alcoholics by their early 20s. These users usually turn to alcohol because they have poor coping skills and may struggle to make friends, while adults who develop a dependence on alcohol usually do so as a way to deal with stress from a divorce, post-traumatic stress disorder, a demanding job or a variety of other reasons.

•Heroin – Heroin is a powerful opiate that is considered to be one of the most dangerous drugs in the world. Users risk experiencing overdose and respiratory failure, long-term health problems, and the contraction of HIV/AIDS. Heroin is a highly addictive drug, and as such, it is the most commonly abused substance in the world.

•Prescription Drugs – The Internet has made it easier than ever to obtain access to prescription drugs, which is why prescription painkillers have become the popular drug of choice among teens. Drugs like Vicodin and OxyContin are highly addictive, and can often be found in your home medicine cabinet. When abused, these prescription painkillers can be just as dangerous and deadly as heroin.

If you or a loved one is in need of help to overcome an addiction. We’re a full-service support and treatment center that offers collaborative and motivational counseling, holistic healing activities, and more.

Patricia Brady, AToN Center Co-founder
888-535-1516

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