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Cannabis Dependence:

Running head: CANNABIS DEPENDENCE AND EFFECTS

Cannabis Dependence:
The Psychological,
Economical, and Social Effects
Guyton E. Erasme
Georgia Perimeter College
Dunwoody Campus

Cannabis Dependence:
The Psychological,
Economical, and Social Effects
Cannabis, the most widely used illicit substance, commonly known as marijuana, is also known as “The Gateway Drug.” Its gateway capability normally refers to its ability to open doors to the use of several other illicit drugs, and often times, friends, family, or colleagues of users are worried of this possible outcome; however, there is another potential harm that is less noted but is very prevalent. Cannabis dependence can lead to adverse psychological, economical, and social effects. The essential feature of Substance Dependence is a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues use of the substance despite significant substance related-problems (DSM-IV-TR, 2000, p. 192). Dependence is determined when the cannabis user has at least three of the following seven symptoms: Tolerance (the need for larger amounts to reach intoxication), Withdrawal (maladaptive behavioral change from cease of use after prolonged use), “Overuse” (taking more than originally intended), desire to quit with unsuccessful attempts, “Time Consumption” (a lot of time is spent obtaining, using, or recovering from substance), “Substance-centricity” (life revolves around cannabis and everyday priorities are set to the side), “Extreme Lack of Concern” (continued use despite the knowledge of psychological or physiological damage the substance contributes to). Although these criteria give us the ability to assess ones dependence to a substance, it does not determine whether there is a physiological dependence. Unlike other opiate narcotics, alcohol, or barbiturates, cannabis rarely ever yields a physiological dependence in its users, but the psychological dependence can be very...