Abstract
Cannabis is one of the substances that is highly abused across the globe. Most researchers suggest that most individuals have friends, family, or even associates with persons who use the cannabis sativa. The drug may have a lot of controversies concerning its legality in some states, communities, and cultures. However, the various challenges associated with plant smoke remain acknowledged. For instance, increased use of cannabis is associated with mental, emotional, and psychological effects that may be expressed through different conditions. Thus essential to use various preventive measures to help people suffering from cannabis use disorder. One of the unique interventions that is useful in controlling substance abuse is the ABC intervention strategy. However, the intrusion is associated with multiple issues and challenges that must be addressed. It is also essential that marijuana abusers receive support while going through various interventions and treatments.
Substance abuse related to crises and disorders is common in society today. Substance abuse disorder is a disorder that most individuals may experience in life, either through friends, family members, or the individual abusing substances. The subject of family disorder is very significant and should be explained since most people have at least witnessed or associated with persons with a substance abuse background if not battling the demon of substance abuse (Imtiaz et al., 2021). The lives of individuals abusing substances are primarily judged like a series of crisis that awaits happening in the eyes of most outsiders.
Often the impact and the extent to which the substance abuse causes damage in the life of the addicts is more validated to the outsiders who may be family or friends. The crises related to substance abuse are psychological, biological, and legally related. Regardless of the impacts of substance abuse, the various addiction problems may be prolific opportunities that may cause changes in the abusers’ life. Agreeing with Imtiaz et al. (2021), Since drug abusers are hesitant to give up on drugs, it may only take a crisis to enable the substance abusers to change their habits. Marijuana is believed to be one of the substances that are mostly abused worldwide, despite some states legalizing the use of the plant. Thus marijuana, among other drugs, is one of the substances that are highly abused across the globe, resulting in disorders and crises for the abusers.
Marijuana as a Substance Abuse Related To Disorders and Crises
Marijuana is a psychoactive remedy derived from the cannabis sativa plant. Marijuana is capable of affecting the body and the brain in multiple ways. Some people claim that marijuana is a plant that is effective for medication, while others criticize the substance as a drug that leads to crises and disorders. Though others praise the plant for its purposes in recreation and medicine, most people develop a weird pattern of substance use, leading to mental health crises and substance abuse disorders. According to a study done by the national institute on drug abuse, marijuana is associated with multiple effects on human health and well-being (Striley & Hoeflich, 2021). For instance, marijuana use harms memory and impairs attention, coordination, learning, and judgement.
Similarly, marijuana increases an individual’s risk of developing depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and psychosis among adolescent children and young adults. Most studies also categorize that the use of marijuana may exacerbate mood disorder symptoms and interfere with existing psychological disorder treatment. According to a study done by the World health organization, the use of marijuana may lead to suicidal thoughts and elicit psychotic episodes (Striley & Hoeflich, 2021). Therefore, despite marijuana being a recreational and medication drug, plant users must recognize the signs of plant abuse and seek expert help in case of misuse.
ABC Model of Crisis Intervention
The ABC model of crisis intervention is one of the ideal mockups that can be used in helping marijuana substance abuse patients. The crisis mediation procedure uses three simple steps establishing a relationship, understanding the crisis, and introducing action. Achieving rapport, which is the first step in the process, is characterized by both the physical and emotional aspects that the experts use in establishing a connection with the substance abuser (Kanel, 2019). One of the ways that the therapist uses in connecting or creating rapport with the substance abuser entails ensuring that there is a limit between the health professional and the substance abuser.
The second stage in the ABC intervention is understanding the problem. The step seeks to make the health instructor understand the various factors that make an individual abuse substances. In the case of a marijuana addict, it may be due to recreation, medication, or just regular abuse. The segment of understanding the problem is characterized by a couple of questions that the substance abuser is asked. According to Kanel (2019), the last phase of the ABC intervention includes contracting for action. This section comprises an attempt by the therapist to work alongside the abuser in implementing the changes desired. Substance abuse is also assessed in the third stage. The contracted action may work in settings, from short periods of about twenty-four houses to long periods that bring permanent changes.
However, when working with the client, I will utilize contracting for the action section of the ABC intervention more compared to the other phases. The third stage involves implementing and developing an action plan to prevent future relapse and resolve the crisis. I will utilize the action section more since it will be more impactful to the individuals already abusing marijuana and experiencing problems and disorders. The aspect is vital to the patients and clients who are already abusing marijuana since such people need guidance and assistance in finding solutions to quit or use the drug responsibly (Kanel, 2019). The action segment of the ABC intervention is also crucial to the marijuana users since it will educate the drug abusers about alternative ways of managing pain, boredom, anxiety, depression, stress, and any other trigger that makes them individuals abuse the drugs. The stages also give the therapist a chance to create an intervention plan that is achievable and realistic towards reforming marijuana abuse. Some of the interventions that may be proposed include referrals to therapists, the use of documented resources, and involvement with self-help groups.
Issues /Challenges That a Person May Face When Working With Marijuana Substance Abusers
Therapists and counsellors may face different issues when working with marijuana substance addicts. One of the issues that therapists may face when helping marijuana addicts is the limited evidence base for effective intervention. Despite numerous pharmacological and psychological treatments for cannabis use disorder, there is still limited and inconclusive research on the therapies’ effectiveness and efficacy. Similarly, little is known concerning relapse prevention techniques and long-term outcomes of cannabis use disorders (Richert et al., 2020). Thus therapist is forced to rely upon the client’s feedback and experiments to define the best preventive measures for cannabis users. To overcome the issue of the limited evidence base for effective intervention, the therapist should conduct a complete examination of the client’s preferences, needs, and goals.
The heterogeneity and complexity of the marijuana population is an issue that therapists face when dealing with cannabis use disorder. The effects of cannabis sativa on the users may vary from one patient to the next. For example, some patients differ in their consequences, motives, and physical and mental health issues that may arise. In most cases, the therapist lacks an all-inclusive treatment plan for a patient showing varying impacts. The therapist should thus provide psychoeducation on marijuana’s effects on the body, and brain, to overcome the issue. Similarly, the therapist should address common misconceptions and myths concerning the matter.
One of the challenges the therapist may experience when working with cannabis abusers is limited information concerning the diagnosis and treatment of cannabis use disorder. Unlike other substance abusers, a marijuana therapist may be unable to determine when the drug becomes harmful and problematic. Richert et al. (2020) acknowledge that cannabis sativa users face varying consequences making it hard for health providers to assess the drug severity and construct a suitable intervention. To resolve the challenge of limited information, the therapist should develop a therapeutic collaboration with the patients based on respect, empathy, and mutual understanding.
The other challenge the therapist may experience while dealing with marijuana substance abusers is resistance and ambivalence towards changing the smoking habit. Marijuana use is typical in most states, cultures, and social setups. Thus most users may not recognize marijuana abuse as a source of distress and a problem. The therapist may overcome the challenge by using motivational interviewing procedures.
Effects of the Crisis on Potential Clients and/or Family Members
Marijuana abuse is a serious issue that is associated with negative impacts, both to the individual suffering from its abuse and also to the person’s family. Cannabis use disorder may impair the users’ social, emotional, and cognitive well-being. The mental effect may transpire to deny smokers a chance to perform their responsibilities and roles in a family (Butler et a., 2023). Similarly, abusing marijuana may also cause various forms of domestic violence, resentment, and stress to the family of the addict. Smoking marijuana may also expose the family to financial, legal and health risk.
I will be obliged to assist a client as they struggle with the effect of marijuana abuse. I will assist the client by establishing a treatment home support team. The team will be assigned the role of helping the patient address issues related to work, relationships, and finances. The team will also support the client in solving the housing problems that cause distress. I will also take my time to find a good psychiatrist and refer the cannabis user to a specialist for medication and treatment. Similarly, I will expose the client to different therapeutic interventions that may bring a permanent solution to the issues. Some remedies that o will propose to the client comprise contingency management, cognitive behavioural therapy, and relapse prevention therapy.
I will also provide feedback and empathetic support to the client throughout the treatment. Similarly, I will help the patient and the health provider monitor the treatment progress and recommend the treatment plan adjustment needed. Individuals suffering from substance abuse will also be encouraged to make healthy choices regarding their health. The other way of supporting the individual addicted to marijuana abuse will entail conducting a comprehensive examination of the client’s current situation and relating it to their history, needs and goals (Butler et a., 2023). I would also highlight any co-occurring substance use disorder and mental health issues that may require additional medical attention. Lastly, I would work with the user to progress a modified treatment plan that encounters specific strengths and challenges.
Conclusion
Marijuana is one drug that has been abused and has controversies globally. Some states, societies and communities have legalized the use of marijuana as a recreational substance and a medicinal remedy. However, most people have ended up abusing the plant instead of using it for the rightful purposes that it was advocated for. Abuse of marijuana causes numerous physical and emotional challenges. Similarly, an abuse of the plant results in cannabis use disorder. Most therapists prefer using ABC intervention techniques to help treat marijuana substance abusers. Working with individuals addicted to marijuana may be associated with numerous challenges and issues that must be addressed keenly. Furthermore, it is essential to support cannabis smokers’ clients as they go through various interventions and medication.
References
Butler, J. I., Dahlke, S., Devkota, R., Shrestha, S., Hunter, K. F., Toubiana, M., … & Scheuerman, M. (2023). The Information-Seeking Behavior and Unmet Knowledge Needs of Older Medicinal Cannabis Consumers in Canada: A Qualitative Descriptive Study. Drugs & Aging, 1-12.
Imtiaz, S., Elton-Marshall, T., & Rehm, J. (2021). Cannabis liberalisation and the US opioid crisis. bmj, 372.
Kanel, K. (2019). A guide to crisis intervention. Cengage Learning.
Richert, T., Anderberg, M., & Dahlberg, M. (2020). Mental health problems among young people in substance abuse treatment in Sweden. Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy, 15(1), 1-10.
Striley, C. W., & Hoeflich, C. C. (2021). Converging public health crises: substance use during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Current opinion in psychiatry, 34(4), 325.
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