A factor of drug abuse is derived from psychoanalytic theory created by Sigmund Freud. This theory has three types of metal phenomenon: the conscious, preconscious, and unconscious. Conscious is what a person is actively thinking about. The preconscious are thoughts and memories that are easy called into conscious. Lastly, the unconscious is repressed feelings and memories. The psychoanalytic theory explains drug use as a neurosis symptom that manifests during adolescence. Also factors such as boredom, anxiety, and frustration along with friends have been studied for leading to drug abuse Anxiety has been theorized with unhappiness.
However, it is also key to realize that this is a theory for drug abuse and not drug use. Drug abuse is when a person becomes solely dependent on the drug. Drug abuse will lead to unhappiness for the individuals involved as well as for their loved ones. Drug use could be used to help manage some symptoms that lead to unhappiness, such as anxiety. However, if one becomes dependent on their drug of choice for happiness then it becomes detrimental. A drug could be used recreationally to help one loosen up and enjoy life but should not be taken to the extent of dependency on it for their own happiness.
Like all drug use there is withdrawal symptoms. Marijuana withdrawal is similar to cigarette withdrawal. THC is known to have a long half-life, which takes time working its way out of the body over days, and having severe withdrawal symptoms. In the 1970's marijuana withdrawal studies were conducted on human and animals. Marijuana withdrawal symptom is less severe than those of alcohol, heroin or cocaine.There is only a psychological dependence for marijuana. These symptoms include restlessness, loss of appetite, anger, irritability, and aggression. In a 1999 study it was found that individuals who smoked daily marijuana for years, displayed more aggressive behavior after stopping. If the result of stopping marijuana use is anger, maybe it can be assumed that this drug will make you happier with moderate use.
It is important to know the difference between decriminalization and legalization. Decriminalization is the absence of laws punishing people for using the drug, but drug trafficking would still be a crime. Legalization is the absence of laws prohibiting commercial use of the drug, for example alcohol and tobacco. The restrictions with legalization are due to age and using under certain conditions, like driving. The following twenty-eight states have legalized marijuana for medicinal use: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. The following eight states have legalized marijuana for recreational use: Alaska, California, Colorado, Oregon, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Washington.
Medicinal purposes of marijuana are the main argument for why it should be legalized. As listed above more states have legalized marijuana for medicinal rather than recreational use. Some medical uses for marijuana include: relieving eye pressure for glaucoma patients, control muscle spasms of multiple sclerosis patients, and controlling the nausea and vomiting of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. If a person is no longer experiencing pain, they may be able to find happiness more easily.
Marijuana in non-legalized states are costing the state's taxpayers. These costs are associated with jail time given for the marijuana charge. In states that have marijuana legalized, such as Colorado, revenue is generated from marijuana. In 2012, Colorado generated $129 million in tax revenue of one billion in marijuana sales. This industry has also created almost 18,000 jobs in Colorado. After the taxation and regulation of marijuana, the total number of arrests in Colorado decreased by half between 2012 to 2014. Less arrests and more jobs would seem to be a perfect recipe for happiness in a struggling community.
Overall, I think that recreational or medicinal use of marijuana could lead to happiness. These reasons being that for recreational it would help a person relax and take a break from a stressful work day and be able to enjoy the simple things in life. As well as, medicinally it would help because a person would be in less pain from their disease symptoms.
Sources used: Abadinsky, H.(2014) Drug Use And Abuse : A Comprehensive Introduction. Cengage Learning.
Correlation is not causation, but...
ReplyDeleteNew Study Finds Marijuana Users Are Happier And More Successful In Life
"...researchers discovered that weed consumers make significantly more money than those who abstain, with Californians who use the plant earning nearly $24,000 more a year. This could be related to the fact that 20 percent of California pot consumers hold a master’s degree while only 12 percent of non-smokers in the state can say the same.
Researchers found a similar situation in Colorado, where 64 percent of cannabis users have full-time jobs versus 54 percent of abstainers. Given those numbers, perhaps it’s not surprising that weed consumers in the state generally feel better about their personal lives than non-smokers.
Marijuana consumption is also associated with healthier habits and a more active social life, researchers for BDS Analytics found. In Colorado, for instance, 36 percent of smokers described themselves as “very social people,” compared to 28 percent for those who avoid the plant. Additionally, in both Colorado and California, those who consume cannabis enjoy outdoor recreation at significantly higher rates.
Perhaps the most surprising discovery, however — given the cliched image of the slacker on the couch eating Cheetos and watching reruns of Family Guy — is that users tend to be more generous with their time. Nearly 40 percent of California’s weed enthusiasts volunteer in their communities, researchers found, whereas only 25 percent of abstainers have decided to do the same."
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-06-26/new-study-finds-marijuana-users-are-happier-and-more-successful-life
But on the other hand, it could be a "gateway" to unhappiness too...
Deletehttps://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/is-cannabis-a-gateway-drug
Where did you see this ? Donald Trump is very rich and succesful , he is our president and you dont hear him say. "If it werent for Marijuana i would be who i am today".
DeleteNOT
DeleteI personally do not know how I fell about this topic. Should ie be legalized? is it a drug? Does it make people happier or dependent? I don't know. I've smoked weed before but I never really saw the hype but I also see why it's so controversial.
ReplyDeletePlease share more like that. marijuana101
ReplyDeleteBuy Weed Online is a tricky drug, alternately demonized as a gateway drug and lionized for its medical promise. And while the juries remain out on both sides of the coin, one thing is clear: its use is on the rise. According to the US Department of Human Health and Services, the number of people in the United States who admit to smoking pot in the last month climbed from 14.4 million in 2007 to over 18 million in 2011.
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