Cannabis Use Disorder
Here in this post, we are providing insight about “ Cannabis use Disorder”. You can read the introduction, effects, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment. You can discuss more your problems in our community, and we will provide you with a short time. Keep visiting Mental Health.
Introduction
Cannabis is extracted from the cannabis plant. It is also called Marijuana. Cannabis is used for enjoyment and medical means.
Weed Index 2018 report
According to the Weed Index 2018 report, Karachi is the 2nd city among those countries that consuming cannabis most approximately 41.95 metric tonnes per year. New York is among the top to the list consumed cannabis approximately 77.44. Delhi 38.26, Los Angeles 36.06, Cairo 32.59, Mumbai 32.38, London 31.4, Chicago 24.54, Moscow 22.87, and Toronto 22.75 metric tonnes consumed cannabis per year.
Cannabis legalized in various country
Various countries legalized cannabis for Medical and Relaxation purposes. In America, 33 states legalized cannabis use for medical and 10 states for relaxation purposes. In 2018, Canada and America Legalized Cannabis use. There are the following top countries that legalized cannabis use:
- Nepal
- Croatia
- Switzerland
- Brazil
- France
Cannabis in Pakistan
Cannabis is commonly used on large scale in Pakistan. Marijuana is a form of cannabis is used for smoking purposes. It is also known as charas and hashish in Pakistan. Cannabis is used as a drink form known as bhang.
Cannabis and Marijuana Difference
Cannabis and Marijuana are the same. There is no difference between them.
Cannabis is the product of the cannabis plant. Marijuana is extracted from the cannabis plant’s leaves, seeds, dried flowers, and stems. For better understanding cannabis is genius and marijuana is species.
Effects of cannabis on health
Temporary and permanent use of cannabis has adverse effects on health such as acute chronic and social. Researches show that 30% of cannabis users are problematic users. Cannabis use disorders are higher in an individual who starts using cannabis before 18 years.
Effects of cannabis are following on health.
Acute effects of cannabis on Health
Following are the acute effects of cannabis on health
Inflammation and resistance of airways
- Severe injuries to lungs
- hyper inflammation of lungs
- Impairment of lungs functions
- Respiratory infection
- Pneumonia
- Lower IQ level in adults
- Adverse effect on developing brain
- Low birth weight babies if used in pregnancy
Psychological effects of cannabis on Health
Following are the psychological effects of cannabis on health
- Psychomotor impairment led to Motor Vehicle accidents due to overdose.
- Cognitive impairment (attention & memory)
- Psychotic symptoms
Psychotic Disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Panic disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Dysphoria
- Anxiety & mood disorder
- Personality disorder
Cannabis-Related Disorders
Excessive use of Cannabis caused various psychological disorders. Following Disorders are included
- Cannabis Intoxication
- Cannabis Use Disorder
- Other Cannabis-Induced Disorders
- Cannabis Withdrawal
- Unspecified Cannabis-Related Disorder
Cannabis Use Disorder
Cannabis use disorder is cannabis abnormal use that causes negative effects on one’s life.
Diagnostic Criteria According to DSM – 5
It should be occurring within a 12-month period.
After cannabis use at least 2 symptoms can occur as follows.
Symptoms of cannabis use
- Intentionally, use of cannabis excessively for a longer period of time.
- Constant desire and craving of taking cannabis.
- Fail to control or reduce cannabis intake.
- A larger number of durations is consuming in activities like the use of cannabis, obtaining cannabis, and recovering from its effects.
- Excessive use of cannabis causes failure to perform major responsibilities in different settings such as work, school, and home.
- Individual wishes to continue the use of cannabis regardless of having a continuous and repeated interpersonal and social problem caused by the cannabis use.
- Participation in different important activities such as occupational, social, and recreational is stopped because of cannabis use.
- Use of cannabis continued regardless of having knowledge about continuous and repeated psychological and physical side effects of cannabis use.
- The use of cannabis continues in a situation that is dangerous for health.
Tolerance of Cannabis
Tolerance is defined as a need for a remarkably high amount of cannabis to attain desirable effects or intoxication and effects are significantly reduces if the same amount is used continuously.
Withdrawal syndrome of cannabis
Use of Cannabis discontinued after long-lasting and heavy use of cannabis. Cannabis is used to avoid and relieve withdrawal symptoms.
Levels of severity cannabis disorder
Following are the severity levels of cannabis use.
- Mild cannabis symptoms.
- Moderate cannabis symptoms.
- Severe cannabis symptoms.
Mild Cannabis Symptoms
2 to 3 symptoms occur in mild cannabis symptoms.
Moderate Cannabis Symptoms
4-5 symptoms occur in moderate cannabis symptoms.
Severe Cannabis Symptoms
6 or more symptoms occur in severe cannabis symptoms.
Cannabis Intoxication
All Addictive people commonly face intoxication but it can occur without substance use. Symptoms of intoxication are changes in perception, alertness, memory, Decision making, and interpersonal behaviors. The substance remains in the body for a longer period of time when it is detectable in the body. Symptoms of chronic and acute use are different from each other. The reason is that the central nervous system has long-lasting effects, the elimination of substance taking a longer period of time than recovery from it.
Diagnostic Criteria according to DSM-5
- Repeatedly use of cannabis to acquire desirable effect.
- Behavioral and psychological changes occur.
- Two or more symptoms of intoxication can occur within 2 hours of the use.
Symptoms of cannabis intoxication
- Behavioral or psychological changes
- sensation of slowed time
- Impaired motor coordination
- Social withdrawal
- Anxiety
- Impaired judgment
- Euphoria
- 2 or more symptoms occur within 2 hours of use.
- Conjunctival swelling
- Tachycardia
- Dry mouth.
- Increased appetite
Cannabis Withdrawal
Withdrawal is the sudden stopping of cannabis which can cause symptoms of adverse effects. Most of the time the withdrawal individual wants to get the substance again.
Diagnostic Criteria according to DSM-5
- Sudden cessation of cannabis uses after prolong use of cannabis.
- After 1 week of cannabis withdrawal, three or more following symptoms occur.
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Sleep Disturbance
- Restlessness
- Depressed mood
- Anxiety
- Nervousness
- Anger / Aggression
- Change in Appetite
- Weight Loss
Physical Symptoms
1 of the following symptoms causes discomfort.
- Headache
- Abdominal pain,
- Chills
- Sweating
- Shakiness/tremors
- Fever
Other Cannabis-Induced Disorders
Following disorders are induced by Cannabis
- Cannabis-induced sleep disorder.
- Cannabis-induced psychotic disorder such as Schizophrenia
- Cannabis intoxication delirium
- Cannabis-induced anxiety disorder
When the symptoms are enough to confirm the independent clinical attention, the diagnosis is given to cannabis indued disorders instead of intoxication or withdrawal.
Unspecified Cannabis-Related Disorder
Unspecified cannabis-related disorder is not met the full criteria of any cannabis-related disorders.
Treatment
There is the following treatment are used for Cannabis-related disorders.
- Family Counselling
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational enhancement therapy
- Contingency Management