Cannabis abuse and addiction: a contemporary literature review
- PMID: 19630315
- DOI: 10.4314/njm.v18i2.45050
Cannabis abuse and addiction: a contemporary literature review
Abstract
Introduction: Drug addiction, particularly among teenagers and young adults, has become a serious public health problem globally. Drugs with addictive potential include the non-therapeutic drugs that are licit/legal (caffeine, tobacco or nicotine, alcohol) and those that are illegal/illicit for common use such as benzodiazepines, amphetamines, cocaine and crack, heroin and cannabis. Worldwide, the challenge of cannabis abuse and addiction is particularly devastating, nay in Nigeria. Despite this ugly scenario, the use of cannabis continues unabated and its control remains enigmatic. The aim of the present review is to provide a contemporary comprehensible overview of exciting recent developments in the understanding of brain circuits related to the nature and effects of cannabis abuse and addiction as well as to highlight the current therapeutic approach to effective management.
Method: A thorough manual literature and internet (Medline and HINARI databases) search were conducted.
Result: It was found that recent advances in the neurobiology of drug abuse and addiction have led to the identification of neuronal substrates (eg dopamine, 5-hydroxyltrypytamine etc) as being responsible for the rewarding effects of cannabis and are also crucial to the addictive process/behaviour. There is increasing evidence that prolonged exposure to drugs of abuse including cannabis, produces long-lasting effects in cognitive and drug-rewarding brain circuits. Hence, addiction is now generally considered a chronic brain disease. Chronic use of cannabis impairs cognitive functions, perception, reaction time, learning, memory, concentration, social skills and control of emotions. There may also be panic reactions, hallucinations, paranoid states with fixed delusions and even acute psychosis. These impairments have obvious negative implications for the operation of a motor vehicle or machinery and performance at school or workplace as well as the development of a healthy family, a strong national economy and a secure society. Complications of use, including psychosis and withdrawal effects, can be treated. Psychosocial measures and rehabilitation, together with effective prevention initiatives are essential in the management of individuals with drug-related problems.
Conclusion: Cannabis abuse and addiction is destructive and may affect all of our lives and the fabric of the society. The development of long-term management strategies based on medication, psychosocial support and continued monitoring as well as preventive initiatives to reduce risk factors and strengthen protective factors against drug abuse is a challenging clinical goal.
Similar articles
-
The Cerebellum, THC, and Cannabis Addiction: Findings from Animal and Human Studies.Cerebellum. 2019 Jun;18(3):593-604. doi: 10.1007/s12311-018-0993-7. Cerebellum. 2019. PMID: 30610540 Review.
-
Psychosocial interventions for cannabis use disorder.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 May 5;2016(5):CD005336. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005336.pub4. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016. PMID: 27149547 Free PMC article. Review.
-
A Web-Based Self-Help Intervention With and Without Chat Counseling to Reduce Cannabis Use in Problematic Cannabis Users: Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial.J Med Internet Res. 2015 Oct 13;17(10):e232. doi: 10.2196/jmir.4860. J Med Internet Res. 2015. PMID: 26462848 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.
-
Psychological and psychosocial interventions for cannabis cessation in adults: a systematic review short report.Health Technol Assess. 2015 Jul;19(56):1-130. doi: 10.3310/hta19560. Health Technol Assess. 2015. PMID: 26202542 Free PMC article. Review.
-
[Tobacco use and illicit substance use disorders: what should we have to do?].Presse Med. 2013 May;42(5):795-805. doi: 10.1016/j.lpm.2012.11.015. Epub 2013 Mar 23. Presse Med. 2013. PMID: 23528335 Review. French.
Cited by
-
Understanding the Mechanisms of Action and Effects of Drugs of Abuse.Molecules. 2023 Jun 24;28(13):4969. doi: 10.3390/molecules28134969. Molecules. 2023. PMID: 37446631 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Perceptual Styles and Cannabis Consumption Prediction in Young People.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Dec 31;17(1):288. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17010288. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019. PMID: 31906142 Free PMC article.
-
An oral cavity profile in illicit- Drug abusers?J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2019 Nov-Dec;23(6):517-524. doi: 10.4103/jisp.jisp_716_18. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2019. PMID: 31849396 Free PMC article.
-
Prevalence and co-use of marijuana among young adult cigarette smokers: An anonymous online national survey.Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2012 Apr 19;7(1):5. doi: 10.1186/1940-0640-7-5. Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2012. PMID: 23186143 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Medical