The Big Picture: Dr. Adriana Davis, Family Medicine, “Many people, still, aren’t fully aware of the health implications of heavy cannabis use.”
Doctor’s Expert Insights about Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) and Other Mental Health Issues in Georgia
Know this: “Rising cannabis use is fueling an increase in psychiatric disorders. And, the issue is that younger and younger people are now using cannabis regularly. The impact could be as high as 1 in 6 adults! Recognizing and treating cannabis use disorder is crucial. Symptoms range from cravings to major disruptions in work and school life. Cannabis Use Disorder is often accompanied by other psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, and withdrawal, among others. It’s important to recognize these symptoms and understand the interplay between cannabis use and mental health. Importantly, addressing and managing the underlying psychiatric conditions is crucial. So, we need to understand that it’s not just a habit–cannabis use disorder is a major health and mental health issue that needs serious attention. As always, talk to your healthcare team honestly and candidly about your use.” Dr. Puja Uppal, Family Medicine.
Beyond the news: Surging cannabis use among our population will require continued research into the neurological aspects of addiction. These findings will aid in the development of more effective treatment methods and tailoring healthcare approaches for specific demographic groups like young adults and pregnant women.
Key Findings:
“The risk of cannabis use disorder is significantly positively associated with the frequency of cannabis use: 3.5% prevalence of cannabis use disorder is seen with yearly use (<12 days per year), 8.0% with monthly use (<4 days per month), 16.8% with weekly use (<5 days per week), and 36% with daily or near daily use (>4 days per week).” (Research…
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