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Familiy Ministry

Quitting Weed is Not So Easy

by Dr. Drew Edwards on February 10, 2010

I have been smoking weed for 6 years and want to quit and go back to school. When I try to quit I feel horrible. What is going on? How can I quit?
–Reggie, age 21. You are not alone. Approximately 14 million teens and adults use marijuana on a regular basis. Due to the high potency of today’s genetically engineered marijuana, the level of impairment, dependence and withdrawal is significantly higher than in years past.

 

Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms for marijuana are protracted over weeks and are similar to those experienced by people who quit cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs. Recent research found that nearly two-thirds of marijuana users experience a pronounced withdrawal syndrome. Symptoms include anxiety, irritability, depression, mood swings and sleep problems, and for some, bizarre and colorful dreams.

As a result, the acute symptoms of marijuana withdrawal cause significant distress and can last up to two weeks. Long-term symptoms, which include anxiety, anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure), fatigue, memory problems and boredom can last for several months. As a result early recovery is like roller-coaster ride and marred by frequent relapse.

    When I first quit smoking weed I felt depressed and agitated for about a week. Then I was just bored and restless most of the         time. I made myself do some positive things, but life just seemed “blah”, like watching black and white television. So I smoked         some weed, and for a few hours, the color came back on and life became interesting again.

Restlessness, boredom and just feeling “blah” are normal in the early stages of recovery. It takes a little time for the brain to recover and for the color to come back on—but it does come back.  However, restlessness and boredom are significant relapse triggers.

What to Do

  • Commit to a recovery program. In early recovery you wont always “feel” like gong to a 12-step meeting or support group —go anyway. In early recovery, good feelings follow right actions.
  • Be accountable. Talk with trusted others about your recovery on a regular basis. This can be 1 or two supportive friends, clergy or 12-step sponsor. Make plans to meet regularly or have regular telephone contact.
  • Establish daily discipline and routines. Decide what time you will rise and go to bed each day. Schedule your daytime activities, family times, sleep times, recreation and quiet times, as well as your daily 12 step meetings.
  • If you still can’t quit, get into a treatment program. Your family doctor can direct you.

Recovery from marijuana dependence is a difficult process. It takes time to feel better. Establishing daily discipline and accountability will help you stay on track. Remember the good feelings derived from recovery are not instant. But unlike the temporary highs of addiction, the rewards can last a lifetime. 

Written by Dr. Drew Edwards. All rights reserved

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100 % of the proceeds from these products helps support rehabilitative
ministries for troubled teens at the Paul Anderson Youth Home. For
more information, or to order products by phone, call 1-800-559-PAYH.

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Can smoking marijuana make you crazy?

by Dr. Drew Edwards on November 12, 2009

In short, yes. The best available scientific evidence shows that teens who smoke marijuana are 40 percent more likely to develop psychosis and/or schizophrenia when compared to teens who do not use this drug. This finding was recently reported in Lancet, one of the most prestigious medical journals in the world. The research shows a “dose dependent” relationship, meaning that the more one smokes, the more likely he or she is to develop serious mental illness.

Why? It’s not yet clear. Reports from Emergency Rooms in the US and United Kingdom are showing a dramatic increase of psychotic symptoms and schizophrenia in teens who smoke marijuana who have no history of schizophrenia or psychosis. Many suspect, as do I, that potency of cannabis may be to blame. Hydroponically grown cannabis, called “Crippy” is 5-8 times more potent in its THC content that marijuana in decades past. The developing brain simply cannot handle the powerful psychoactive affects of this drug. In addition marijuana stays in the brain for months, maybe longer, and users remain impaired, particularly in their thinking, problem solving ability and emotional health. Conclusion–marijuana NOT is a harmless drug.

Unfortunately the regular users will dismiss this evidence as yet another scare tactic, but hopefully these facts will cause others to consider that a healthy brain is infinitely more valuable than a temporary buzz.

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Signs and symptoms of Internet sexual addiction

by Dr. Drew Edwards on November 11, 2009

National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity has defined sexual addiction as “engaging in persistent and escalating patterns of sexual behavior acted out despite increasing negative consequences to self and others”.

Signs and Symptoms of Internet Sexual Addiction include:

  • Frequent use of the Internet to visit sexually oriented sites
  • Binging—hours spent surfing the net or engaged in online sexual activity
  • Preoccupied with thoughts of “getting online”, or of sexual behavior
  • Sexual behavior interferes with work, school, family, hobbies, etc…
  • Anxiety and irritability when unable to get online.
  • Telling your self that you should cut down, or stop altogether
  • Experiencing guilt, remorse and shame
  • Become defensive when others suggest that you spend too much time on the Internet
  • Spending money on internet porn
  • Continued consumption of porn despite negative consequences


Pornography is not real. The more one uses porn to gratify themselves, the greater the chance that they will never find true intimacy and real love.

If you need help talk with a trusted friend, parent, or clergy. You cannot do it alone.

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Does my daughter have anorexia? Part 2

by Dr. Drew Edwards on November 10, 2009

Some characteristics or family traits associated with anorexia include:

  • excessive concern within the family with outward appearances, including body shape and weight
  • parental focus on perfection and performance; harsh criticism for mistakes and inappropriate ways of dealing with conflict
  • family history of sexual abuse
  • strained relationship between husband and wife
  • arbitrary role boundaries where children are encouraged to act more responsible than their age should permit and to take on roles or responsibilities for which they are psychologically ill-prepared

Medical complications

The physical complications associated with anorexia nervosa are potentially life-threatening. Damage to vital organs as a result of dehydration and malnutrition can result in:

  • low blood pressure
  • electrolyte imbalance
  • cardiac arrhythmias
  • thyroid gland deficiencies which can lead to cold intolerance and constipation
  • appearance of fine baby-like body hair (lanugo)
  • bloating or edema
  • decrease in white blood cells, which leads to increased susceptibility to infection
  • osteoporosis
  • tooth erosion and decay from malnutrition and self-induced vomiting
  • seizures related to fluid shifts due to excessive diarrhea or vomiting

The course and outcome of anorexia vary. Catching it in the early stages is associated with better treatment outcomes. Affirming our daughters true beauty and unconditional worth is both the best medicine and prevention.

If you think your daughter has anorexia talk with your child’s pediatrician, or your family doctor. They can assist you in finding a qualified mental health professional.

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Does My Daughter Have Anorexia? – Part 1

by Dr. Drew Edwards on November 9, 2009

Anorexia Nervosa is a chronic, potentially life-threatening eating disorder. It is characterized by deliberate restriction of calories to the point of starvation. Anorexia usually begins at during puberty. Over a lifetime it will affect 1-2 percent of females in the US. Anorexia is most common among adolescent girls and young women, athletes, actors, dancers, models and media personalities.

Teens with anorexia are obsessed with their body weight and shape, fat distribution, dress size, food and calories, and have a pathologically distorted body image. In short they look in their mirror and see a fat girl when we see a sickly emaciated child. Symptoms include:

  • restriction of calories to maintain a body weight that is less than 85 percent of the individual’s normal healthy weight. For example if a14 year-old girl’s normal, healthy body weight were 100 pounds, her anorexic weight would be an emaciated 85 pounds or less.
  • obsessive preoccupation with body weight and intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat
  • grossly distorted body image resulting in severe psychological and emotional impact on how one sees and values herself
  • absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles (amenorrhea)

Types of anorexia

There are two types of anorexia nervosa, the restricting type and the binge-eating/purging type. Binge eating and purging behavior is defined as self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas and excessive exercise. In both types the symptoms are driven by fear of weight gain. Restrictive types do not binge or purge.

Causes of anorexia

Anorexia is a poorly understood, multifaceted disease; the exact cause or causes are unknown and are likely caused by several factors including genetics, personality type, family environment and brain biochemistry.

Scientists have found that the neurotransmitters (brain chemical messengers) serotonin and norepinephrine are frequently decreased in patients with anorexia in much the same way as individuals with depression.

Common personality traits among those with anorexia include low self-esteem, obsessive tendencies and perfectionism. Those with anorexia tend to be very driven to succeed in academics and sports, while never satisfied with themselves or their performance. This hidden low self-esteem is pathologically tied to their appearance and body image.

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