Marijuana has historically been the illicit drug with the highest use rates both in Utah, and nationally. While marijuana use rates in Utah are low in comparison to many other states, use rates within the state have been trending upwards steadily over the past several years.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the rate of (past 30 day) marijuana use among Utahns 12 years and older increased from 3.1% in 2009 to 5.4% in 2014. Nationally, use rates increased as well over the same time period, but at a more moderate pace, from 6.8% to 7.4%. A closer look at the Utah data suggests that the increasing trend in marijuana use over the past few years has primarily been driven by adults 18 and older rather than by youth ages 12-17 (see Figure 1). Use rates for youth have remained steady since 2012, while rates among both the 18-25 and 26+ age groups have continued to climb at a steady pace. Consistent with the youth marijuana trends observed in the NSDUH, data from the Utah Student Risk and Prevention (SHARP) also suggest that youth marijuana use may be leveling off after a prolonged upward trend. Source: Marijuana Use in Utah
Marijuana makes up the leaves, flowers, and extract of the plant Cannabis Sativa; it closely relates to the species commonly called hemp. The plant is one of the most frequently abused and illicit drugs in society and is debated over the legality and impact of use in people. Many states have legalized the use of medical marijuana, with some states legalizing it for recreational use as well.
The chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), when smoked, transfers from the lungs into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body. When the brain encounters THC, it attaches itself to the neurotransmitters of the brain that brings a feeling of euphoria. Blood flow and heart rate increases, and the blood vessels of the eyes expand to give the appearance of red eyes.
Marijuana use comes with side effects, such as hunger and thirst, the “munchies,” dry mouth, and confusion. Street names for the drug include pot, grass, weed, refer, herb, hashish, hash, and mary jane.
When someone comes off marijuana, they can encounter some symptoms of withdrawal, such as irritability, sleeplessness, intensified cravings, appetite decrease, and increased anxiety.
These symptoms are less than other illicit drugs and don’t include bodily effects, so it’s typically easier to withdrawal from.
Although proponents of legalizing marijuana question the addictiveness of it, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), 30 percent of marijuana users may have some form of marijuana use disorder/dependence. People who use pot before age eighteen are four to seven times more likely to develop a disorder than adults. In 2015, around 4 million people in the U.S. met the diagnostic criteria for dependency; 138,000 sought treatment voluntarily for marijuana use.
Don’t let a trivial thing like marijuana addiction destroy the quality of your life. Rehab can help you regain control over your actions and put you on the path to true recovery.
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