Dependance: Cannabis Flashcards
Define
active ingredient delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
o Grass/weed – made from dried cannabis leaves
o Hash – squidgy, brown-black lump made from resin and flowers
o Skunk and sinsemilla – particularly strong varieties
Signs and symptoms
– the effects depend largely on expectations and the original mood state:
o Euphoria, relaxation to… paranoia, anxiety and panic (spectrum)
o Perceptual/time distortion, hunger pangs
o Nausea and vomiting (‘greening’)
Investigations/ Management
Investigations:
- Urine drug screen – in urine for up to 4 weeks
Management:
- Abstinence (in those with major mental illness)
- Clinical experience suggests that irregular use can be free from major problems
Background, prognosis and risks: [NEW RESEARCH] potentially causes schizophrenia
o Acute complications – paranoia, panic attacks, accidents associated with delayed reaction time (driving)
- If susceptible, cannabis can precipitate an episode of psychosis or schizophrenia (and/or dose-related paranoid ideation and other psychotic features)
o Chronic complications – dysthymia, anxiety/depressive illness, amotivational syndrome
o No physical dependency (there is a mild withdrawal syndrome in heavy users– insomnia, anxiety, irritability)
