Adult Marijuana Dependence (From Addictive Behaviors Across the Life Span: Prevention, Treatment, and Policy Issues, P 202- 218, 1993, John S Baer, et al, eds. -- See NCJ-159643)

• NCJ Number: 159648
• Author(s): R S Stephens; R A Roffman
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 17 pages
• Grant Number(s): DA03586
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The authors discuss the evidence for a significant population of adults who are addicted to marijuana, review research concerning clinically relevant characteristics of these individuals, and overview cognitive-behavioral treatment techniques for drug-dependent individuals.

Abstract

Research indicates that many adults are addicted to marijuana and that they need treatment intervention. Most of these individuals do not appear to abuse alcohol or other drugs, although epidemiological studies are needed to address the prevalence of both marijuana and polydrug problems. A specific treatment focus on marijuana dependence may attractive to marijuana users because it avoids negative connotations associated with community drug treatment programs and it focuses attention on issues that may be unique to marijuana dependence. Marijuana-dependent persons are likely to be struggling to reconcile beliefs and feelings about drug use that developed in the more tolerant decades of the 1960's and 1970's with the current "war on drugs." Although this conflict probably affects most drug users, it is particularly insidious among marijuana users. Demographic characteristics and types of problems reported by marijuana users seeking treatment suggest a largely functional group, perhaps held back by their sole reliance on marijuana for coping, who nonetheless experience little objective evidence of the negative effects of marijuana in their lives. Therefore, treatment should foster a greater awareness of personal dissatisfaction with marijuana use and significant ways in which marijuana limits the lifestyles of those who depend on it. The authors' relapse prevention support groups for marijuana- dependent adults are based primarily on a cognitive-behavioral model that emphasizes the acquisition of coping skills to deal with high-risk situations and the modification of lifestyles to reduce temptation. Throughout treatment stages, social support processes are enlisted to bolster motivation and establish alternative reward systems. An initial study of outcomes following participation in a relapse prevention program supports its efficacy. 34 references and 1 reference