Breaking the High

"Most who use marijuana do not become addicted. How to diagnose? Usually there are problems in work, school, or relationships. For a family member, teacher, or coach, you have to have a good sense of what is normal for a person and be able to tell if things are normal any longer."

Sharing this knowledge helps listeners identify potential addiction, offering a compassionate route to understanding and addressing the issue within their communities.

"Published data say that 9% of adults who use mj become addicted and 17% of young people. Marijuana can affect the brain like other addictive substances by causing surges in certain chemicals, like dopamine, in the brain. The release of these chemicals is pleasurable and reinforcing."

This expert insight helps in educating the audience about the real effects of marijuana addiction, breaking the stigma by moving the conversation from myth to fact.

"There is a great video by Hank Green on Sci Show (youtube it) where he does a great job challenging people to stop using mental illness words as ways to describe things. I’m a big fan of educating people and coaching them to stop using those words as adjectives."

This insight is powerful in breaking down misconceptions about mental health, fostering a more supportive and less stigmatized environment for discussing marijuana addiction.

"Therapy is for everyone. A lot of people aren't sure if they are allowed to see a therapist, but if you're feeling like you're not living your best life, if you can identify patterns in yourself that get in the way, or if you are aware that some of your life experiences have left an imprint on you that's less than helpful, you can totally go see a therapist."

This empathetic perspective encourages listeners to seek therapy if they are struggling with addiction, dismantling the stigma that therapy is only for severe cases.