Comorbid Mood, Psychosis, and Marijuana Abuse Disorders: A Theoretical Review

Abstract

There is a need to bridge the gap between the fields of addiction psychiatry and general psychiatry in order to effectively treat co-morbid substance abuse and psychiatric disorders. This alarming epidemic transcends communities and severely impacts healthcare worldwide yielding poor treatment outcomes and prognoses for afflicted patients. Because substance abuse can acerbate and/or trigger psychosis and mood disorders, it is important to keep these issues in the forefront when evaluating patients. In order to address some of the complications stemming from not enough interactions between various groups of practitioners, this review addresses the neurobehavioral effects of cannabis use and their impact on patients who suffer from psychotic or affective disorders. The hope is that this paper will serve as a spring board for further discussions among practitioners who treat these patients. Greater interactions between caretakers are bound to impact the care of our patients in a very positive way.

Typology of Individuals with Substance Dependence Based on a Montreal Longitudinal Catchment Area Study

“…According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), 1.6 million Americans used marijuana daily in 2000 and thus met the criteria for substance dependence (Wilson & Cadet 2009). Marijuana consumption is reported to increase the risk of mood or anxiety disorders, although the role of this drug as a cause of these disorders has yet to be established (Horwood et al 2012).…”

“…Chronic dependents may therefore consume alcohol and drugs as self-medication (Blanchard et al 2000;Strakowski & DelBello 2000). Impulsiveness, as seen among chronic dependents, is also more frequent among individuals with co-occurring disorders (Wilson & Cadet 2009), and multiple drug users (Parrott et al 2000).…”

“…Moreover, alcohol eliminates manic symptoms, and stimulants (e.g. speed and ecstasy) lessen symptoms of depression (Strakowski & DelBello 2000;Wilson & Cadet 2009). Chronic dependents may therefore consume alcohol and drugs as self-medication (Blanchard et al 2000;Strakowski & DelBello 2000).…”

Fünf Minuten täglich: Kompass – eine stationäre Kurzintervention für junge Cannabis-/Partydrogen- patienten nach dem „Bonner Modell – Junge Sucht“

“…Ein Überblick über bestehende Behandlungsansätze findet sich für Deutschland bei Kipke, Karachaliou, Pirona und Pfeiffer-Gerschel (2009) sowie international bei Zimmermann, Mühlig, Sonntag, Bühringer und Wittchen (2004) und Nordstrom und Levin (2007). Die "Cannabis Youth Treatment"-Studie (Dennis et al, 2002), das "Marijuana Treatment Project" (Stephens et al, 2002) (Trezza, Cuomo & Vanderschuren, 2008;Wilson & Cadet, 2009;MartinSantos et al, 2010). Genannt werden hier z.…”

Predictors of Alcohol and Drug Dependence

“…50,51 Generally, mental disorders also appear during young adulthood. 52 Impulsiveness is often a feature of co-occurring disorders, 53 especially personality disorders. 54 It is also a significant predictor of cocaine, 55 opioid, 56 and alcohol abuse or dependence.…”