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I Have A Friend Who Is Showing Signs Of Being

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Posted on Tue, 28 Jan 2020
Question: I have a friend who is showing signs of being addicted to smoking marijuana. He gets anxious when he doesn't smoke. He is more aggressive and gets angry easily. He's depressed sometimes. He told me that marihuana is healthy and people cannot be addicted to it. He did research and he says it's impossible. Is there any side effects to smoking marihuana?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (59 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Well..... yes.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Not at all impossible. And, the symptoms of cannabis withdrawal are exactly as you describe. They occur in at LEAST 1 in six steady cannabis users. Then... the next question and I expect a follow up on this ! is what do you want next?
I can give the addiction official site on this with the official descriptions. It won't convince him.
And.. on the other side, psychotic breaks occur with the initial use of cannabis, they are not common at all and they are very very unlikely to occur long after someone starts use. WITHDRAWAL is the main problem.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (52 minutes later)
Thank you for the information. He did get psychotic breaks. I remember he got it in the first few days he started smoking and because he follows the Bible and is very religious when it come to the Bible teaching. He uses that excuse for smoking. He called me and other people demons, curse people in the name of Jesus. It is hard to say something against someone who has such strong religious beliefs and uses that against his addiction. But he still gets psychotic breaks. Last time he told me to only way he is going to read something bad about marihuana use is if I had solid proof and backed up with doctors. So if you have any official addiction site about specifically marihuana, that would be so useful. I don't believe that it is going to help right away but it is going to give him something to think about and maybe he can start realizing that there may be a problem. Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (51 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Very good. and I can further tailor it.

Detailed Answer:
1) yes, that's what I mean by withdrawal (original post)
2) yes, belief that people are demons would be psychotic.
This one seemed like a good website.
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/there-link-between-marijuana-use-psychiatric-disorders
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

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I Have A Friend Who Is Showing Signs Of Being

Brief Answer: Well..... yes. Detailed Answer: Hi, Not at all impossible. And, the symptoms of cannabis withdrawal are exactly as you describe. They occur in at LEAST 1 in six steady cannabis users. Then... the next question and I expect a follow up on this ! is what do you want next? I can give the addiction official site on this with the official descriptions. It won't convince him. And.. on the other side, psychotic breaks occur with the initial use of cannabis, they are not common at all and they are very very unlikely to occur long after someone starts use. WITHDRAWAL is the main problem.