Explain the pharmacology of cannabis, and the effects of continued cannabis use on the body and brain.

Pharmacology of cannabis and of substance use disorders
John, who has been a client at your facility for several months, is a devoted and hard-working single father to four-year old Addison. Addison’s mom has problems with methamphetamine use and has not been in the picture since the day of Addison’s birth. John refers to Addison as “my baby” and noticeably softens any time the conversation shifts to speaking of Addison. John has smoked cannabis since age 14, and he is now 28. Treatment is progressing well, but is slow at times as John still struggles and has experienced two relapses. Today John enters the facility quickly and asks to speak to you in private. Upon entering an office, John bursts into tears and exclaims, “They are going to take ‘my baby’ and I don’t know what to do.” Further legal action has been threatened due to the most recent relapse. The conversation shifts from practical aspects of the clear need to ensure no further use of cannabis, to John’s fear regarding whether this is realistic given the significant struggle thus far, due to the strong pull at times to return to use of the substance.
This scenario illustrates the common struggle, for many who know all too well that, “Why don’t they just stop” is a question that is oversimplified at best. What is it that makes this so difficult though? Address the following in your discussion to explore the factors related to this question.
Explain the pharmacology of cannabis, and the effects of continued cannabis use on the body and brain.
What is the brain chemistry and other physiological changes that lead to a cannabis use disorder?
Based on the pharmacology and effects of cannabis, how would you respond to someone who did not agree that cannabis is addictive.
Choose one additional drug or drug class and compare and contrast the brain chemistry and other physiological changes of that substance to those of cannabis.
These are questions that are still being researched, and there are no easy answers. In your response posts, be sure to think critically about the related issues that surround the questions.

Last Completed Projects