1. OTC and Prescription Drug Abuse Slideshow Pictures
2. Health Risks of Alcohol Abuse Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD

Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD

Dr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. She is a former Chair of the Committee on Developmental Disabilities for the American Psychiatric Association, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and Medical Director of the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, Maryland.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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In this Article

• Marijuana facts
• What is marijuana, and how is it abused?
• What is medical marijuana? How is medical marijuana prescribed?
• What are other names for marijuana?
• What is the history and different types of marijuana?
• Is marijuana addictive?
• What are the psychological and social effects of abusing marijuana?
• What are the physical effects of abusing marijuana?
• What are the treatments for marijuana abuse and addiction?
• Can marijuana abuse and addiction be prevented?
• What is the prognosis of marijuana abuse and addiction?
• Where can people find more information about marijuana abuse and addiction?
• Patient Comments: Marijuana Abuse - Personal History and Experience
• Marijuana Index

• Codependents Anonymous: http://www.coda.org
• Kids Against Drugs: http://www.kidsagainstdrugs.com
• Marijuana Anonymous World Services: 800-766-6779; office@marijuana-anonymous.org
• Narcanon: http://www.narcanon.org
• Narcotics Anonymous: http://www.na.org
• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence: 800-NCA-CALL
• National Institute on Drug Abuse: http://www.nida.nih.gov
• National Clearinghouse for Alcoholism and Drug Information: 800-729-6686
• National Resource Center: 866-870-4979
• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-877-SAMHSA-7
• http://www.treatmentcenter.com

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American Psychiatric Association. Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with substance use disorders, second edition. In, American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines: Treatment of Patients With Substance Use Disorders 2006 May.

Budney AJ, Roffman R, Stephens RS, Walker D. Marijuana dependence and its treatment. Addiction Science in Clinical Practice 2007 December; 4(1): 4-16.

Callaway E. Regular marijuana usage robs men of sexual highs. Journal of Sexual Medicine 2009 August; 16: 2.

Elkashef A, Vocci F, Huestis M, et al. Marijuana neurobiology and treatment. Substance Abuse 2008; 29(3): 17-29.

Looby A, Earleywine M. Negative consequences associated with dependence in daily cannabis users. Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention Policy 2007; 2: 3.

Merriam Webster's Dictionary 2011. www.merriam-webster.com.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Gender and ethnic patterns in drug use among high school seniors 2003 August; 18(2).

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Teen marijuana use increases, especially among eighth-graders 2010 December.

New York Times Company. Marijuana and medical marijuana. The New York Times 2011 August 6.

PDR.net. Physicians' Desk Reference. 2011. http://www.pdr.net.

Pierre JM. Psychosis associated with medicinal marijuana: risk vs. benefits of medicinal cannabis use. American Journal of Psychiatry 2010 May; 167: 598-599.

Tarter RE, Vanyukov M, Kirisci L, Reynolds M, Clark DB. Predictors of marijuana use in adolescents before and after licit drug use: examination of the gateway hypothesis. American Journal of Psychiatry 2006 December; 163: 2134-2140.

Williams JS. Cognitive Deficits in marijuana smokers persist after use stops. National Institute on Drug Abuse 2003 December;18(5).

Zhang ZF, Morgenstern H, Spitz MR, et al. Marijuana use and increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Cancer Epidemiological Biomarkers Preview 1999 December; 8(12): 1071-1078.

Zickler P. Marijuana-related disorders, but not prevalence of use, rise over past decade. National Institute on Drug Abuse 2005 May; 19(6).

Zickler P. Twin study links marijuana abuse, suicide and depression. National Institute on Drug Abuse 2005 August; 20(2).