Substances such as alcohol, prescription medication, and illicit drugs are of major concern in the United States, particularly as Americans are finding unhealthy ways to deal with stress, chronic pain, and more. Cannabis use has risen over the past decade, and continues to soar as marijuana becomes legal either medically and/or recreationally throughout America. According to NBC News, a poll titled “Weed and the American Family” discovered that 52% of Americans aged 18 or older have tried marijuana, and 44% of those who use it still use it today. Alcohol has similar statistics; the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) claims that in 2015, 86.4% of Americans aged 18 or older reported having consumed alcohol at some point during their lives, with 56% reported having consumed it within the past month.
If cannabis and alcohol are legal, what’s the problem? In moderation, neither may be considered a problem – it’s when bad side effects, substance abuse, and eventually dependency occur that it begins to affect a person’s daily life in a negative way. With easy access to both alcohol and marijuana, dependency for both is much easier than it’s ever been before; when cannabis and alcohol combine with dependency, a dangerous mix ensues. A 2016 study published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science sought to explore economic and social consequences of cannabis and alcohol dependency. A total of 1,037 individuals participated in the study, and researchers found the following:
- Regular cannabis use and persistent dependence was associated with downward socioeconomic mobility, more financial difficulties, workplace problems, and relationship conflict in early midlife
- Alcohol dependence was associated with similar outcomes, but did not seem to influence long-term difficulties associated with cannabis dependency
If you’re currently using marijuana or alcohol, consider your patterns of use. Do you use more than you originally plan to? Do you find yourself continuing to use, despite problems that it’s bringing up in your daily life? If so, you may have a substance use disorder (SUD), and it’s important to speak with a licensed healthcare professional.
The Guest House Ocala welcomes you with open arms no matter your story, addiction, or mental health struggles. Our residential programs offer world-renowned healing and care for trauma, offering you the chance of a lifetime to find lifelong healing. For more information, call us today: 855-483-7800