--Original published at Anneka's Blog

Everyone has their addictions. While headlining addictions are the use of drugs or alcohol, addictions can be daily experiences. Are you addicted to a certain TV shows, favorite (unhealthy) foods, or coffee? Whether it be simple pleasures such as these or the more devastating addictions, over use of these can have negative effects, some more harmful than others. The United States is facing a widespread addiction epidemic, especially the use of opioids. For those struggling with an addiction and would like options of treatment, two main treatments are abstinence and the harm reduction methods. There is much debate over which method is the better treatment.

Abstinence is the more well-known method. The goal is to completely eliminate the unwanted behavior. The Alcohol Anonymous 12 Step Program is an example of an abstinence program. From the scientific standpoint of alcohol and drug addiction, abuse will permanently neurologically and physiologically change the brain. Thus, the tendency for addiction is 40-60% genetic, and it is difficult to use it in a non-addictive manner. Due to this tendency, complete restrain is the only way to fully recover and have control.

Those who receive Harm Reduction treatment still have substance use, but the goal is to the decrease the plausible harmful effects. Substance usage will have negative effects and Harm reduction treatment limits the damage to the body as much as possible. The treatment methods vary between addiction. Programs offer alternate drugs, clean needles, driver assignments to keep those under the influence off the roads, and other strategies.

Although each person and addiction is different and the right process varies between person, I would advocate for Abstinence for an addicted love one. I think eliminating the temptation and substance from one’s body is the way that will help for overall better health and life. Although the Harm Reduction treatment attempts to reduce the harmful effects of addiction, the person is still permanently damaging their body by using a substance. With drug substitution, despite removing the addictive substance, you are still using some type of drug. Abstinence is not a treatment that will work overnight and will take dedication, vulnerability, and time. Not cutting cold turkey (complete stop of drug), but slowly taking the person off the substance is the better method. Furthermore, it will stop the permanent damage to the body and mind. For those on the drug substitution, I would try to slowly take the person off those drugs to have them become clean as well. Abstinence provides the possibly to eliminate intake.

If you are struggling with addiction, please get help. You CAN overcome this.

References

New Hope Recovery Center. (n.d.). Addiction counseling: Abstinence versus harm reduction. Retrieved from New Hope Recovery Center website: http://www.new-hope-recovery.com/center/2014/07/29/addiction-counseling-abstinence-versus-harm-reduction/

--Original published at Collin's Blog

This week I chose to do my blog on the pros and cons of marijuana legalization and my personal opinion on it.  Legalizing marijuana has become a very controversial debate over the past few years. Some states have already begun legalizing it while others are well on their way to passing it through. In response to this, some people are going against marijuana’s legalization, saying it is a “gateway drug” and that making it more available to the public could lead to more issues.

The pros to making marijuana legal are that it could (in theory) benefit the economy, making the drug freely marketable would allow the government to add a taxation on selling marijuana which would lead to more government funding. Marijuana also is known to not affect the health of its consumers. The affects of marijuana usually only last a few hours depending on certain variables, but usually there is no long lasting effect for the occasional use.

While the physical effects of marijuana can fade away the psychological effects can build over time with use. The addiction to marijuana can cause many problems to the consumer resulting in a snowball effect. THC is a pain relieving substance in marijuana, that is used in the medical field to alleviate the severe pain for patients. Away from the hospitals it is commonly used to treat depression and stress among people. In hospitals the usage of marijuana is monitored and controlled, but that is usually not the case for people using it for recreational purposes. This can lead to an uncontrollable need for marijuana and can harm transmission of hormones that are normally used to deal with stress. By constantly using marijuana for a stress relief your body’s natural hormonal reactions will be left unused and eventually be depleted. The body would have to rely heavily on your use of marijuana for everyday stress which could become expensive for the consumer much like cigarettes have become.

In my opinion, legalizing marijuana is not going to be beneficial long-term for people and it seems that the government may only be legalizing its recreational use to gain a profit. For the consumers, when you form a habit to a drug or a chemical that is not naturally suppose to be produced in your body, it will have effects on the body whether you can see it or not.

--Original published at Caleb C's College Blog

Option 1:

In regards to the legalization of marijuana, this has been a relatively recent issue politically in the United States, and some states have legalized the use of weed recreationally as well as medicinally, while other states refuse to allow such practices. In my opinion, I take a stance more towards legalization of marijuana medicinally than recreationally. I believe that it can be used for good when placed in specific situations for people who need it regarding medical conditions, because it is a drug, just like any other medication given to patients, it’s a drug. Thus, I believe that giving doctors the opportunity to use marijuana similar to other drugs as relief for certain conditions is good, as long as it is used responsibly and diagnosed the same. Furthermore, I believe that based on certain studies that marijuana use is less addictive than say something like nicotine, which is found in cigars and cigarettes which kids can buy legally at 18. Also, people get hooked on certain drugs, such as those given in the form of opioids, and when their prescription ends, they sometimes turn to street drugs such as heroin. Thus, I would hope that buy implementing the use of marijuana, it would give people comfort in a less addictive form than opioids. Though a negative of legalizing weed medicinally could be that there would create an underground black market for medicinal weed and contribute to more criminal activity. Recreationally, I believe legalizing weed could potentially just lead to in the future, legalization of harder drugs which we don’t need in society. I understand that weed is most likely less problematic health-wise than say tobacco or alcohol use, but that doesn’t mean we go ahead and legalize it. There still has not been enough significant studies done which have looked into the long term health implications of marijuana use. At the same time, legalization of marijuana would help eliminate placing a lot people in jail, and free up space which would help tax payer dollars. Also, legalizing it would stimulate the economy significantly, because there is a high demand for weed, and no government regulated market for it nation wide. Though, if this were the case, there would be a lot more money going towards government funding. Overall, this is still a hot topic and one we will watch to see how state governments handle it.

--Original published at Melissa's Blog

The abstinence model is an approach for treating addiction that eliminates the harmful substance. The only way to ensure an addict will not use a toxic drug again is to completely remove it from their possession. In this model the addict will not have a way of taking the substance and will learn different coping methods during counseling. Another addiction treatment is the harm reduction model, which is meant for addicts who are not ready or are not willing to stop using. This approach aims at protecting the addict and others from the harmful consequences associated with substance abuse.

In my opinion, the abstinence-focused approach is more beneficial compared to the harm reduction-focused model. I disagree with the websites claim, “an important concept that some people and policy makers do not understand is that the harm reduction approach should not be seen as condoning risky or illegal behavior.” Although the website argues that the harm-reduction model is not overlooking substance abuse, I find it conflicting that they provide abusers with materials, such as clean-needles. Abusers should not be given materials that will promote their negative behavior. For example, if drug abusers are continuously given clean needles then they won’t ever be ready or willing to quit. The abstinence model may be more challenging and exhausting, but it is best for the abuser because they are completely stopping their behavior and have support to help them overcome and beat their addiction.

I side with the abstinence model because my dad used this treatment plan when he was recovering from alcoholism. He overcame his addiction with the help of support groups, counseling, and not being around alcohol. Therefore, if a loved one needed help with an addiction I would recommend the abstinence model because I know it is effective from my dad’s experience.

--Original published at marybraun99

For this first impression post, I am choosing to do option 1. Should medical, and recreational marijuana use be legalized?

I believe for many reasons that both recreational and medical marijuana use should be legal. In many states, medical marijuana, in at least some form, is legalized. However, most states that have legalized medical marijuana use, smoking marijuana is still not legal. The only legal forms are usually cannabis oil. This can benefit so many people, for so many different cases. There are some forms of treatments that do not work for some diseases, or chronic issues, such as sciatica, or seizures… by legalizing medical marijuana those who were once constantly suffering can now live fairly normal, getting the treatment that they need.

Marijuana is only a plant, it is not a crazy chemically active drug that was created in a lab, which we know is not poisonous. This is a huge benefit to those who also would only like an organic form of treatment for their diagnosis. However, some people may disagree that it should be legal. Some people believe that it is only a temporary treatment for seizures, or other injuries, and can have “long lasting cognitive effects on your body” such as depression and anxiety, and therefore it should not be legalized, anywhere.

As far as recreational use of marijuana goes, in states that have legalized it such as in Colorado, they have regulated it, and are actually making huge profits off of marijuana. When it is legalized recreationally that does not mean that the 14 year old kids that are trying to be cool will be able to smoke it anywhere they want, it is just like alcohol. You have to be 21 to be able to get a hold of marijuana. However, I believe that it should be legalized, or at least completely decriminalized, because so many jails and prisons are filled with those who are in for a marijuana related offense, meanwhile, in our present day, heroin, and meth are the main causes of death, but there is hardly anybody in jail over this issue. Whether it is legal or not, people are still going to be doing it, or growing it, or selling it, so if the government can find a way to tax it correctly, and make it affordable to those who want it, they can be looking at a huge profit. Many people are turning to marijuana instead of antidepressants or anti anxiety medications because it is not something that has to be consistently taken for it to have effects.

On the other hand, many people believe that marijuana is still a drug, and no drugs should be legalized, especially not just for fun. They also believe that it will be easier for children to get their hands on marijuana if it were sold in a shop, just like minors seem to always find a way to get underage alcohol. They also believe that those who are currently using it are already abusing it, and there can be no good outcome for the legalization of marijuana.

Overall, I believe, not only for the people, but for the government as well that both medical and recreational use of marijuana should be legalized in the United States.

--Original published at Brittany's Thoughts

I have chosen the first prompt about the controversy surrounding the use and legalization of marijuana. The topic is highly controversial in our country today, especially since some states have already legalized the use of recreational marijuana, and other states won’t be legalizing it anytime soon.

For those who are for the use of marijuana, they point out the health benefits of it. Marijuana helps with pain, anxiety, and can aid with disorders such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. They also argue that marijuana is the least addictive drug and that it is less harmful than other types of drugs. Those who are against the use of marijuana claim it to be the “gateway drug” to using much harder drugs to achieve that same high. They also claim that it worsens physical and mental health rather than benefiting it. Research is inconclusive on the real effects of marijuana, so either argument could be correct or incorrect and is mostly based on whether a person has had experience with using marijuana or not.Medical marijuana is also a big controversy right now. Those who think it should be legalized talk about all the benefits it can have for disease treatment, especially in conditions like epilepsy in children, where the drug has been shown to work. Those against it make similar arguments to regular arguments about marijuana and that it will do more harm than good.

In my opinion, I support the use and legalization of medical marijuana. They are starting to develop medical marijuana with less THC, meaning patients will not get much of a high. This means that people will be at less danger of addiction to the drug while using it for medical use. As for recreational marijuana, I don’t really approve of the use of it, but legalizing it could have benefits. There would be less arrests, more locally-sourced jobs would be created to distribute marijuana, and an improvement in the economy of the legalized areas. I think legalization of both could have some real benefits to society.

--Original published at Pisacane Perspectives

The leagalization of marijuana in some states has understandably received mixed reactions. Although it’s been widely used, there are still a lot of things to worry about now that it’s becoming more accepted. Will there be more legislation passed to control it or will laws become even more accepting? Will the same limitations apply to smoking cigarettes in public places apply to smoking joints? There’s a lot to consider and worry about since these laws are still relatively new.

When it comes to recreational marijuana, I think leagalizing it is okay, as along as the users can be safe. If we apply the same thinking to marijuana as we do to cigarettes and alcohol, I think it will be easier for people to accept. Making sure the participants get it from a reputable place (such as a business, and not off the street), and giving limitations as to where it can be used (similar to the limitations for smoking cigarettes), will ensure that the users and those around them can be safe and have boundaries.

One might argue that it’s not smart to leagalize a class one drug. I would agree with this, but I would also argue that if regulated, and used correctly, marijuana could get off of the drug schedule. Another thing that would help with this is the medicinal use of marijuana. Unlike other pain killers, it’s not addictive, and patients may be more open to using it now that it’s becoming legal, it’s familiar, and because they may already know the effect it has on them.

It’s understandable that marijuana has been met with resistance, but if more action is taken to regulate and keep people safe, it may become as common as alcohol and cigarettes.

--Original published at Max'sPHY105blog

For this week’s first impression post, I choose to comment on option 2, abstinence versus harm reduction. Both of these methods are used to treat drug addictions. According to the prompt and the provided web page, abstinence involves keeping the drug away from the addicted user. Harm reduction involves removing the problems associated with addiction. I have never gotten addicted to a drug before, but my dad told me about a time where he has gotten addicted to caffeine when he was a college student. He is able to describe what happened and how hard it was to get over. He told me that he started getting splitting head aches that would only stop after he consumed caffeine. Upon realizing this, he tried very hard to stop consuming caffeine so the addiction would go away, but it was not easy. Over and over, his head aches would become so bad that he was compelled to consume caffeine again. Eventually, he was able to stop consuming caffeine long enough for his head aches to go away. He was able to solve his problem through abstinence.

For this reason, I feel that abstinence is a better idea in treating addictions than harm reduction. Abstinence might not be easy, but it will remove the addiction, which will be a lot better in the long run. Harm reduction does not sound like it really removes the addiction. It only suppresses the effects of the addiction. I do not think this is the best way to treat addictions as they create something to become dependent on. If a drug user becomes addicted and used harm reduction to solve his problem, he probably would continue consuming the drug expecting his harm reduction treatments to keep him covered. However, what happens if he suddenly cannot afford these harm reduction treatments? The only way to treat his addiction would be with abstinence, which would now be harder because he has been consuming the drug so long. So, if I had a loved one who needed help with an addiction, I would tell this person to try to refrain from consuming the drug, because this is the only way to actually remove the addiction.

--Original published at Emily's Blog

I have chosen the first prompt about marijuana to discuss this week. Marijuana use is a popular topic of discussion today because more people are gaining access to it and using it. A few states have already made it legal which causes some people to wonder why it is not legal throughout the whole country. Many feel as though it should be legal in every state while others are strongly opposed to the idea.

People who favor the use of marijuana would argue it is not as harmful as other substances and it is used to heal many medical issues. Others who do not agree with the legalization of marijuana believe it can be hurtful to the next generation and it is addictive.

Some also think, the legalization of marijuana will cause teenagers to use it more and more. The rate of teenagers using marijuana increases every year. Marijuana is dangerous for children because their brains are not fully developed at this stage of their life. The negative effects of marijuana use can include decreased concentration, difficulty problem solving, and a lack of attention in school. Though there are not enough research supporting these as facts.

On one hand, many believe marijuana is addictive. Even the smell of marijuana in the room can cause an addict to crave it. While it does take numerous uses over a large amount of time, people start to desire the “high” feeling they receive from it and it will soon become a part of their daily life.

This can of course be compared to other legal substances which have shown worse effects from being abused. On the contrary, marijuana is not as dangerous as tobacco or alcohol. There is not one reported case of death by overdose of marijuana. Many people have died from overusing alcohol and prescription drugs. It is also important to point out it is safer than most substances which are already legal. Marijuana has caused zero deaths and alcohol causes thousands a year.

Marijuana is also used to help with many mental and physical ailments. This would be the medical use of marijuana. People also wonder if it could be recreationally to treat people suffering from depression or anxiety. It has proven to help with these issues. This may only last for a short amount of time and using marijuana is not shown to completely treat these problems.

After thinking through and discussing the negative and positive impacts of marijuana, I believe that it should not be legalized. I think it is addictive and could be very harmful to an individual whether it be physically or emotionally. I also believe legalizing it would cause people to drive while under the influence. I think driving when high could cause some of the same issues as drunk driving. Both will cause the driver to be distracted and not in their right state of mind. It could also cause an innocent person to be killed. I believe it should not be legal, but I do see the possible benefits for medical use just not recreational use.

--Original published at Emily Garvin's Psych Blog

Recently, several states have legalized recreational use of marijuana and even more are considering it. This has lead to both celebration and condemnation depending on who you ask. Medicinal use of marijuana is still controversial as well. In your blog post, take a position on both medical and recreational use of marijuana. Should they be legal or not? Make sure to point out pros and cons to both arguments.

The legalization of marijuana is a heavily debated topic among society today. Many people have varying opinions on the legalization of marijuana for recreational and medicinal use. I believe that there are pros and cons to each perspective. Those who support the recreational use of marijuana validate their claims with the physiological effects that it brings and the social benefits it reaps as well. For example, marijuana has been proven to heighten senses, increase creativity, and make people feel more energized. Supporters of legalization also advocate for the social aspect of the drug. They claim that the drug brings friends together and allows them to freely speak their mind. Contrary to these claims, those who do not support the legalization of recreational marijuana say that marijuana has detrimental effects on one’s physical and mental health. Some of the health risks include heightened anxiety, psychosis and delusions, red shot eyes, dry mouth, problems with balance and coordination, decreased sperm count in males, and menstrual flow disruption in females. Another controversial topic among today’s society is the legalization of medical use marijuana.  Those who support the legalization say that marijuana can treat side effects of medications, greatly reduce pain suffered from chronic illnesses, and has a minimal risk of addiction.  Cancer patients are often referenced as those who would greatly benefit from the legalization of marijuana. When a patient consumes marijuana their side effect of nausea that they experience from chemo treatments usually subsides.  Those who do not support the legalization of medicinal marijuana say that the drug causes issues concerning vision, there are alternative drugs that are as just as effective, and only alleviates pain for a short period of time.

I am not very opinionated on the use of recreational marijuana, but I do support the legalization of medical marijuana. I believe that people should have the ability to choose if they want to take part in the recreational use of marijuana. Despite the legal status of the drug, marijuana is still going to be present in today’s society. Therefore, the legalization of the drug will just make marijuana easier to obtain. In my opinion, medicinal marijuana should be legalized because the benefits outweigh the risks. The people who are to be prescribed with this drug suffer immense pain on a daily basis and if this drug can relieve some of their constant pain I am all for it!  The consumers however, should be made aware of the risks and they can decide for themselves if it is a drug they would like to try.  Overall, our society is evolving and becoming more accepting of issues that were considered taboo so I think that it is good that it is being discussed.

References:

https://testcountry.com/pages/all-you-need-to-know-about-recreational-marijuana-use

https://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000141