“I would rather treat a heroin addict than a heavy marijuana smoker.” ~ Bob Meehan, “Beyond the Yellow Brick Road”
Yes, I smoked pot. In fact, I smoked a lot of pot when I was in high school and college. I enjoyed it. Wait, I loved it. Fortunately, I stopped using it.
Before my experiences as a parent with an addicted son, I never gave the issue of marijuana much concern or consideration. In fact, I was once in favor of its legalization. Once I began my journey into the world of drug addiction and realized how incredibly addicted our entire society is to drugs - prescription drugs, illegal drugs, alcohol - I am a passionate advocate against legalizing this drug.
The last thing our society needs is another addictive drug on the open market.
What further cemented my stance was the section in the book “Beyond the Yellow Brick Road” by noted drug counselor and author, Bob Meehan. In his own form of long term recovery from just about every drug possible, Meehan has been counseling those with addictions since the ’70’s.
The chapter in his book (Chapter 5) “Marijuana - the Craze that’s not a phase” shares powerful insights into the ability of marijuana to hijack and destroy a healthy mind. Clearly making the distinction that all drugs take over the mind and the body, Meehan asserts that once a heroin addict detoxes, he is at least “communicating with a coherent, logical person.” Whereas, when dealing with a person addicted to marijuana “I have to teach young marijuana addicts to think again, to straighten their devious thought patterns, and to make them understand logical consequences.”
I am not a fan of legalizing any drug. I am actively in favor of shifting how we treat and prosecute those who have become dependent upon illegal or addictive drugs. Any conversation about decriminalization drugs so our children are thrown in treatment facilities, not jails or prison, have my positive, active engagement. Any conversation about legalizing more drugs like Marijuana puts me on the side of passionate, committed opponent. At this point in conversation, making any addictive drug more easily available is a significantly, short-sided mistake.
“Casual marijuana users who perceive no detrimental effects from occasional use may scoff at what I say… But they must realize that they no more understand the realities of the drug disease than casual readers of newspapers understand the realities of international politics. The problem is they cannot see beyond the personal consequences of their own abuse of drugs. To understand my point of view, one must comprehend the vastness of drug abuse in this country - drug abuse is a social problem.”
Drug abuse and addiction is a problem that is not going to get better by legalizing the abuse of more drugs as a solution. Accepting this approach will have a larger, long-term impact on our society and we need to start making noise about our concerns now.
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Is your child struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol? Do you find yourself trapped in the emotional rollercoaster of this addiction? Dave Cooke can help you. He’s an internationally recognized speaker who has made it his commitment to minister to parents and family members struggling with addiction in their families. His powerfully insightful, faith based approach to the challenges of addiction have inspired and educated thousands across the country.
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I completely agree, Dave! We’ve just legalized marijuana here in Oregon and I’m very concerned about how this will play out, especially among people. Legalization only serves to validate what teens already believe to be true: marijuana is no big deal. Some parents even tell their kids “I’d rather have you use marijuana than drink alcohol.” The message should be that both are potentially dangerous and can cause harm to developing brains.
There is so much misinformation and ignorance about marijuana. As you say, “The last thing our society needs is another addictive drug on the open market.” No good can come from this.
Barbara Cofer Stoefen recently posted…Interview by Cathy Taughinbaugh
My biggest issue is how we have simply trivialized this drug. It is as though we have become so desensitized to our society’s addictions to drugs, that we don’t even recognize the threat until it lands in our living rooms. Thanks for being part of the conversation!
Great articles - couldn’t agree more Dave!
I would love to see how legalizing marijuana somehow is worse than the current setup we have in America. We are talking about a plant that you can grow in your backyard - one that is proving to have medical benefits and clearly is something that people simply enjoy. You yourself say that you enjoyed smoking pot “back in the day.” Lots of people have. Some people like(d) it so much that they smoke it daily or more. Your position is exactly the kind of thinking that puts marijuana on a pedestal. “Hey, if this is illegal, and I like it, then I bet I will like the other illegal drugs out there, too.”
I remember as a child getting privileges taken away because my siblings were not conducting themselves well enough. They got bad grades, so I had to suffer the consequences of “all of us” not being allowed to watch TV on school days. But my grades were fine. My conduct was fine. Still, there I was, stuck thanks to the inability of others to control their priorities in the face of the big bad TV. I was a kid - so I dealt with it and moved on - but at the time, I was so resentful. Was the TV to blame? Or was it simply that my siblings had their priorities misplaced? Regardless - was it “fair”? (Parents should parent how they see fit - this is just an example of how it feels, not a commentary on whether TV is good or bad.)
What do you get when you take something that 1) people like; 2) does not harm others; and 3) is illegal. You create a culture of resentment. Talk about a social problem.
I don’t really like pot. I have smoked it some, and it just is not for me. But I don’t feel the authority to tell people they should not do it in one big sweeping law. Maybe you or someone you are close to shouldn’t smoke pot. Maybe lots of people shouldn’t smoke pot. But working in absolutes - when it is denying people autonomy over their own body - is a terrible way to approach anything.
In a free country - which America hardly is these days - I would hope to be able to do whatever I want with my body and my time, as long as it does not harm others. Smoking a plant, drinking some hops, or playing online poker all come to mind. Who are you to tell me that I shouldn’t do these things - that it should be illegal to do these things? Am I beholden to you, or to some corrupt lawmaker? What have you done to earn such authority?
Joe,
Thanks for your comments. I agree with the underlying premise in much of what you say about individual rights and government authority. However, there is one premise that deserves closer scrutiny - marijuana does hurt people. Marijuana impairs brain development more than any other substance. In an adolescent, this is a serious issue because their brains are not fully developed anyway. Legalizing pot makes this drug even more accessible than it already is. Rather than legalize it because it appears to be safe, or misunderstood, or doesn’t do any harm, I am taking a hard line stance that we not the genie out of the bottle until we know more. I am not disputing the medicinal value or any of the other perceptions about marijuana. I think we need to be more responsible about how we legalize this before we create another issue of unintended consequences.
Interesting, indeed. Ponder this if you will . . . which is more powerful, the substance that is being abused or the desire of the addictive personality? I am in strongly in favor of legalization of marijuana with regulation, similar to alcohol. I certainly don’t want to argue semantics here, but among the misinformation you spoke of, there are also undeniable facts that deserve to be noted. One such fact is, there are zero deaths directly contributed to marijuana. An overdose of marijuana does not result in death. While I share the concern for the chronic stoner who can’t function any longer, I have the same concern for the compulsive gambler, the teenager who cuts themselves, the functioning alcoholic or anyone else who abuses a substance or engages in a damaging and compulsive behavior. Heroin is illegal yet still have an alarming number of addicts. Alcohol is legal and we still have a steady supply of alcoholics. An addict or someone who is predisposed with an addictive personality, will find an outlet for that behavior. I don’t believe we can protect people from themselves in every situation, all the time. The world is full of ways to abuse and sabotage yourself and there are many addictive substances both legal and illegal that we can get our hands on at any time, if the desire was strong enough. Keeping marijuana illegal, prevents responsible adults from addressing their physical and mental needs with a safe alternative to traditional medication with minimal side effects. And, keeping marijuana illegal creates the direct line of incarcerating people who should instead be getting treatment. So, I ask the question again. Does making a plant, illegal, really reduce addiction? Don’t we have examples from other well developed counties that made marijuana legal and treat addiction as a social issue rather than a crime, and thus dramatically reduced incarcerations, crime and addiction all the way around? Legalizing is the first step in changing how we see addicts.
Gail, thanks for joining in the conversation. You covered lots of great points. Many of which I would not even begin to dispute their perspective. With all the issues we have with other drugs, including alcohol, I am not a fan of adding another to the list. I am in complete agreement regarding decriminalization of marijuana. The laws only serve to harshly punish the user, not eliminate its usage. My biggest concerns is the potential increase in usage in adolescent children as is a trend seen in Colorado. There needs to be a better approach to managing the marijuana issue than simply legislating the approval of another drug without consideration to other unintended consequences. I would prefer we go very, very slow. Once the genie is out of the bottle, it is too late.
I think the genie is already out. I don’t know of many adults who have never smoked marijuana or were never offered drugs, cigarettes, alcohol during their teenage or young adult years. In the mid 80’s when I was in high school - cocaine was a very serious issue at school - yes coke! As for the stats in CO . . .I always question those things. I am sure there are states where marijuana remains illegal, yet usage is on the rise. I question if teen usage is up in CO because its legal, and up by how much and based on what factors? I think there is a lesson to be learned from states that aggressively try to restrict, sex education, free access to birth control, etc. also have the highest stats on teen pregnancy, The more we try to control others, the harder they will fight to against it. I wonder if in a few years, CO will report they have the lowest usage rate among teens because so much money is going to education - the stats might just be part of how the pendulum of life has to swing to find balance.
you wouldn’t be adding to a list… marijuana is already being used whether it is legal or not… prohibition doesn’t prevent use… it just creates a dangerous unregulated market where it is criminals that control the market.. and In that market marijuana is not labeled you don’t know what is in it… what the concentration of THC is in it or if it hasn’t been sprayed down with some kind of more harmful additives to deter drug sniffing dogs… .. and kids have greater access to it and are recruited to sell it.. where disputes are not handled in a court of law but with bullets…. all drugs should be legalized and controlled. Making something legal doesn’t make everyone go out and start using it… and drug addiction is a health issue not a criminal issue… and a person should be free to be a addict if that’s what they choose to do… it didn’t take prohibition of tobacco to lower tobacco consumption in this nation.. and nicotine is far more addictive than cannabis. Colorado’s problem is the fact that they taxed Marijuana so high you still have black markets… Colorado also allows for 6 plants to be grown by adults… this venue is unregulated … everyone should have to be licensed to cultivate. If they supply it to a person under the age then they should loose their license to cultivate that would be enough incentive for adults to prevent teens from getting it..
Personally I do not agree with prohibition period.
Factual- Over 100 years War on Drugs have violently proven ineffective, prohibition ineffective. Punitive systems ineffective in the War of Drugs. Use and abuse and distribution of drugs. White Collar as well straight up criminals abuse our Law of Life; our wealth and health of well beings.
Laws are made by a majority. No longer for Wealth & Health but for Wealth & Power, money greed.
I hear what he’s saying
I agree with much of what he shares and appreciate as much.
I am for freedom of choice.
We provide help where needed and when needed.
We create Restorative Systems all the way around.
In that system we incorporate Meditation in our education starting in kindergarten, sharing peace. We will effectively change our attitudes and thinking our entire moral compass and in a generations time.
Those with the “gene” or predisposed in any way to the disease-Brain Disease of Addiction. We have “healthy”education implemented, as well Stopping Stigmas period around the disease of Addiction and Mental Health.
Freedom of choice is our Freedom.
We stop punitive cycles.
Restorative is in Love and yes that is discipline. And yes has consequences.
Love is Action; in compassion, kindness empathy forgiveness, the list goes on and on.
We become Honest. Stop systems created for the “Love of Money” power and greed.
Humanity will always have fools. Fools have the ability to become wise.
And Evil is evil. We appropriate Evil as it comes.
Not everyone has a problem or predisposed to the disease.
I would like to address Joe’s comments… “I would hope to be able to do whatever I want with my body and my time, as long as it doesn’t harm others.”
I believe smoking marijuana does harm others: just like drunk drivers kill people when their judgement is impaired because of what alcohol does to the brain, marijuana impairs the brain’s judgement so there will be more automobile fatalities on the road. Just like cigarette side-smoke harms others because of lethal chemicals released in the air, so marijuana smoke will harm those who are in the presence of the pot smoker. Just like any chemical addiction i.e. alcohol, oxycotin, meth, heroine and you can fill in the blank, harms relationships, so too does marijuana. People who are taken over by their addiction, will steal from family members, friends, and anywhere they can find money or fence things for money to support their addiction …. so their closest personal relationships and their relationships in every day society become shattered. These are just a few of the ways that others are hurt by some one’s “right to choose to do whatever they want”. We need to care about each other and how our decisions effect others. When we stop caring, people in the world become even more detached from one another which results in a very lonely and sad existence.
Yep well if it was legal there’s no need for crime as the cost is reduced or removed all together. Who the fuck has the right to jail a person for smoking a fucking plant??? Every idiot with thier heads in thier arse thinks alcohol is fine but no to weed!!! My criminal record is 100% from alcohol…even the judge said I should smoke pot not drink!!! Everyone’s been touched in one way or another and therefore will hold a new opinion but really , forget the stoners and concentrate on reAl severe issues at hand
Nick,
Hey, how do you really feel?
I’m wondering how your language got a pass and was posted.
I can hear the passion, the hurt, anger, in your words.
It sounds like you at one time were into some pretty heavy stuff.
It sounds like you have fought your way out.
I’ve been there too Sir.
Personally, I have nothing against Pot.
I have a medical marijuana card just renewed for two years.
I believe in good legal behavior. I can get pulled over and if I have the Pot not more than 2.5 ounces in my glove box that I bought at the dispensary so that a police officer can’t ticket me or arrest me for it.
I’m now 60 years of age and able to choose when, where, and how to use it.
Bad behavior is the person that says screw getting a medical marijuana card in a non-legal state then goes and buys it illegally and then gets caught with it now having bad police involvement, the courts, probation and a ton of fines and court costs. Don’t forget those legal fees. Oh and one little thing with our Secretary of State who will automatically suspend your license for 6 months. Dam, that insurance bill tripled or they cancelled me.
Anger, can be a little overwhelming sometimes when your very passionate about something. There are a lot of words you can use instead of the F bomb to get your point across.
Don’t stop posting, you can use your experience to help others suffering with the disease of addiction.
Each to thier own….but pot is merely a drop in the ocean as far as drugs go….I’ve been jailed , overdosed , died several times only to be revived , been a monster, violent, nasty, and just a straight out cunt…but then I stopped everything but weed and my life is awesome….no more coppers, no more courts, no more nasty Nick!!!!! Drugs will NEVER stop in this country because the governments are piss weak bitches and they use it as a form of population control….
David,
Good morning Sir.
Legal Marijuana, WOW!
If someone in 1969 would of told me it would take till the year 2016 before the possibility of legal Marijuana would happen I would of laughed out loud.
In 1969 pot was so prevalent in our society I would of thought it would be legal by 1980,
What I didn’t know was the man in the suit made Marijuana a schedule 1 drug and until leaving that position decades later kept true to his word that Marijuana, Heroin, Cocaine, Crystal Meth, are all one in the same, all just as lethal, and all should never become legal!
There’s the old argument alcohols legal!
I was just at a Christmas party and the conversation came up about Colorado’s drug laws because here in Detroit on the 2016 ballot Michigan voters will decide if Marijuana will become legal in the great state of Michigan.
Four people who were all sitting together had vile things to say about “Pot”.
What was just so crazy to me and millions of others are all that vile coming out of their mouths were coming from the drinks all of them feel they must consume to have a good time at a party.
Pot smokers cringe and shake at the people who constantly bomb us with their drunken opinions of how bad Pot is.
Our government stopped alcohol once and changed their minds.
Early in my sobriety I attended an AA meeting because I was told that AA was much more organized and powerful than NA.
At my first meeting, I was very afraid. People were telling me to share my sickness with Heroin addiction.
While speaking out of the back in a very loud and clear voice a “Dry Drunk” said “Hey junkie you don’t belong here. Take your Heroin stories back to NA where you belong”.
I have never forgotten that day 10 years ago.
David, I have very thick skin these days. Your opening statement or quote hit me in the forehead with a sledge hammer.
“I would rather treat a heroin addict than a heavy marijuana smoker.” ~ Bob Meehan, “Beyond the Yellow Brick Road”
Mr. Meehan, really?
On a positive note this topic sure did engage people to hit reply which if great. It is a topic many of us can relate to.
Michael
Michael, you are correct - I certainly got everyone going. What I appreciated about the quote was how Meehan was calling attention to the brain damage that Marijuana does on young minds. Not that I believe that heroin addiction isn’t as bad as any other addiction; I do believe we are understating the impact that marijuana has as a drug. I think many of the in favor comments reflect this minimalist approach or demonstrates the level to which people are addicted to a drug, be it alchohol, pot, or prescription drugs. Therein lies the problem. Thanks for your comments.
David,
In regards to your reply about Marijuana damaging the brain.
I didn’t want to say anything about putting a 7 year old’s picture up with a joint in his mouth. Nice touch by the way……..
Would that picture look any better holding a Vodka and Tonic or a drivers license?
Legal Marijuana is not a free for all for anyone who cares.
You must be 21 years of age to be legal!
Michael
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration lists marijuana in the most restrictive of five classes that the agency uses to regulate dangerous drugs. Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance, which is the ranking reserved for drugs with the greatest potential for abuse and with no medicinal value. Heroin, ecstasy and LSD are listed in that category, too, while cocaine and methamphetamine rank one level lower than marijuana, as Schedule II.
In the mid 80’s someone figured out how to make Crack our of Cocaine with baking soda. Cocaine is not a schedule 1 drug like Pot. Cocaine is a schedule 2 drug. Crack changed the world in the mid 80’s making a war zone in LA. The Crips and Bloods became zillion ares over night buying machine guns killing cops, other gang members and sometimes civilians wearing the wrong color on a particular street. Wearing a red or a blue scarf on the wrong side of town could introduce you to a bullet.
Methamphetamine another schedule 2 has deformed, killed and destroyed families in a year or two.
Yet Pot remains a schedule 1 with no medical value really? That’s ignorance look at what their doing today with Pot to help with seizures and glaucoma.
Nothing against the intelligence of the 70’s but this is not then. Hell we even know now you can drive a boat for a very long time and not fall off the earth at some point…..
We all don’t like and do the same things for entertainment or to feel better. When we turn 21 we get adult rights. How many of you adults out there like to be told what is good and what is not. That you should act a certain way or your a bad person. We should respect all other law abiding loving citizens, treat others as we want to be treated.
First off we shouldn’t be throwing people into any facility whether jail or rehab. What’s this bit about marihuana users being devious? People like you seek to profit off addiction.
Jimmy, I agree that throwing people in jail for non-violent activities relating to their addiction. It solves nothing and is a waste of resources. As much as those who love marijuana want to espouse its many wonderful benefits, are only demonstrating their own addiction to this drug. It is dangerous because of what it does to an underdeveloped, adolescent mind. Finally, you are obviously looking at an entirely different financial statement about my mission than I am. I have not profited off of addiction. I do not intend to profit off of addiction. My mission is to be a resource of awareness, advocacy, and inspiration in the world of addiction. My experiences and my story have compelled me to be actively involved. This is not a business, it is a ministry of love and commitment. Hope this helps clear up any confusion around that assumption.
We need to concentrate on good behavior here.
Alcohol is legal to the responsible, that does not mean drinking and driving, or getting nasty drunk and hurting someone.
It means if your going to drink make sure you have a designated driver to get you home safe!
Legal Marijuana I look at the same way, and the same rules apply.
As adults when we turn 21 years old we have choices. Good choices come from good behavior.
As many mentioned earlier with excellent points earlier.
Gail Keith, Krista, Joe, Nick and Carol you all make good points.
Sorry, my brain can only remember so many names.
I can tell some blame the “Gateway Drug” even though prescription pain meds are catching up fast and doing the damage must faster than pot will.
Show me a person who smokes pot all day and all night. They buy terrible grade of Pot and their a very Lazy person with nothing going on positive in their life.
We want to make Pot and Marijuana the enemy. Are they both harmful absolutely. But done by responsible adults not likely will cause a problem.
Another comment sorry I forgot who you were some of us have addictive personality’s.
How does one explain one person can go to a bar have two beers after work and go home.
Another goes to the bar drinks till drunkenness.
One goes out and snorts a couple of lines of Cocaine then goes home.
Another goes out snorts a couple of lines of Cocaine and doesn’t go home till he or she is dead broke?
Soon what if we condemn McDonalds because some eat there 10 times a day and weigh 300 pounds.
Or stop sugar use for everyone because some can’t stop
What about if your Catholic do we hate Muslims, Lutherans?
Should we ostracize everyone? Who decides?
There is a horrible stigma out there against drugs of any kind.
Someone mentioned we should not lock up pot smokers, we should help and get them treatment.
Drugs and Alcohol destroy people and their families.
I feel everyone posting on this site has first hand knowledge of addiction whether an addict themselves or a love one or family member.
We want to hate, we want to direct blame.
Parents go through an emotional roller-coaster only felt by other parents.
Parents will feel guilt, depression, hurt, hate like no other because they cannot understand why their kid gets hooked on drugs or alcohol.
Believe my I have first hand knowledge about many of the points posted.
Great topic David, It got people talking.
Michael J. Manning recently posted…My case against Marijuana
So this is the most ridiculous article Ive ever read in my life. Based on no science, just fear and propaganda. You would rather treat a heroin addict? Yeah this is whats wrong with those that are treating people today and why we have such an abysmal failure rate in our rehabs and especially AA. Guys like Dave are lost when it comes to treating addiction and obviously he doesnt listen to science.
Hey Dave, a quick Google search for NEWSWEEK ‘Why marijuana is a GATEWAY out of a hard addiction’ Thats science, not crazy 12 step talk that hasnt worked and has led to many deaths, relapses, suicides. Really if you think Dave has this nailed I feel sorry for you.
The truth is plant medicine and not only marijuana but IBOGAINE, AYAHUASCA, PSILOCIBIN are light years ahead of our rehabs and AA when it comes to treating and curing addiction. See Dave doesnt know about this stuff because hes been taught one way of thinking and thats abstinence. Yes and thats been a giant failure. Why do u think AA and 12 steps ranked 36th out of 40 ways to beat addiction?
Time to wake up and stop listening to harmful propaganda like this that has isnt based on science but FEAR. Good luck with that. Over 65% of the country wants full legalization and over 85 wants it for medical.
Justin, thanks for joining in the conversation. It think you have made some assumptions about me from this article that are incorrect and that’s okay. I have conducted two podcasts about Ibogaine and find this treatment approach very intriguing. I am quite open and receptive to learning more about the many treatment and recovery options. And, I am definitely not an AA disciple. You will note, I was quoting someone whose opinion I find intriguing and credible. It is also thought provoking and controversial, as you will not from all the comments. I am not relying on fear to drive this conversation, what I desire is a much broader examination of the impact of legalizing marijuana on the minds of young adults before we simply add another drug - a it is a drug, herbal or not - to our approved list. We as a society are overly addicted to our medications. That is my concern. Again, thanks for your constructive comments.
Justin,
Lot of emotion in your voice.
If I may comment on one point that you made that I think is the point that is missed, ignored, or people have just given up.
Treatment today with the stigma attached to the sickness of addiction is criminal.
Crippling parents and love ones of their savings.
Addicts with a 89% failure rate. (Heroin addiction)
Justin, in an impatient rehab of 100 only 10 won’t relapse in the first 6 months
90% will fail
Because of the stigma we just want to jail people because their sick
Think about it Justin we incarcerate people for an illness
Why? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Now, I do profit from addiction you are correct. 28 years I was among other things a hard core Heroin addict. Two years of college in addiction psychology, Six years as a Certified Addiction Counselor
I put in hours of voluntary time to my trade but yes I do charge on a sliding scale. I never shut the door on someone who can’t pay!
Most people who say drug addiction is a disease don’t believe it, doctors either.
They can explain the science, but have no clue of the repercussions of the use.
I’ll close my comments with this about the subject of Pot:
“If I could change every Alcoholic, Heroin, Cocaine, Meth, Pill addict to a spot smoker, I would pay all their fees to get their medical marijuana cards out of my own pocket.
I am curious if you have heard of the Endocannabinoid System and if you have devoted any time in researching the use of Cannabis Therapeutics for symptom control as well as in the treatment of PTSD, other anxiety related disorders or even as a treatment for other substance misuse disorders? This article is based on archaic, antiquated and dangerous ideologies.
Josephine, thanks for sharing this information. I have zero issue or concern with the notion of medicinal benefits to Marijuana. In fact, I have been direct witness to people benefitting from treatment programs associated with marijuana. There is a huge difference between making something available as a retail option and using it under prescribed medical conditions. I do take exception to labeling my dialogue or ideology dangerous as I believe any conversation around this subject matter requires intelligent and responsible thought. Appreciate your positive and enlightening interaction.
I think I understand Mr. Meehan’s statement completely. It’s just not in context and pulled out it seems ludacris.
I think he meant that if he is treating a member of the 9% that will become addicted to marijuana he’d rather work with a heroin addict because the heroin addict actually wants to quit, sees there is a very bad problem, and probably has come close to losing their life, so yes, they are motivated to stop! The marijuana addict is probably there on court order, has no interest in stopping marijuana, has never almost died from it, and doesn’t even realize they are addicted (if they are). This same author will also say what a marijuana addict goes through in withdrawal is nothing compared to a heroin addict. A heroin addict can be treated with methadone, there is no drug to “ease someone’s addiction from marijuana” creates additional hardship to a rehabilitation specialist like Mr. Meehan. I believe he also stated he wouldn’t wish the withdrawals from opiates on his worst enemy. It’s just the way his comment is presented that draws question to the statement. I get it.
Thanks, Danita. You are directionally correct in your assessment. What Meehan said goes a little farther than that. He says that a marijuana addict’s brain is more damaged than a heroin addicts brain. He has to teach the person to think and reason before he can work with them. Whereas, like you stated, the heroin addict has other issues, but their cognitive functions are in place so he can get to work on the mind quicker with a detoxed heroin addict. Thank you for your comments and for taking time to read the article.
Danita Marrs,
Danita, most people have the knowledge about Heroin and other hard core drugs from reading, seminars, etc. but one thing I would love to let you know.
Most don’t ever see the broken Heroin addict right when he has crashed and burned.
The problem is soon after this moment smashes you down to earth now the fun stuff happens.
It’s real special in jail coming off Heroin . The only other drug that is in my opinion worse than Heroin addiction is Methadone. That withdrawal has teeth just like Heroin with a little extra time to suffer miserably.
Comparing Marijuana withdrawal and Heroin/Methadone withdrawal.
Your smoking pot, a drug, there will be withdrawals no question but please.
I promise you Danita, I’ve smoked pot since I was 12. I’m 60 now and a medical marijuana card holder.
If anyone would like to know about opiate withdrawals and time using them. There are three stage 1, stage 2 and stage 3.
We all read Mr. Meehan’s words and put our own interpretation depending on our own personal lives and experiences.
Fuller says
If it’s so bad, how did someone like you turn into such an upright citizen speaking for the well-being of others? It’s foolish to go on about the harmful effects on the brain when I can tell you are such a well-spoken, inquistive person. The whole child argument makes no sense to me, since it’s not so much the drug’s fault as it is poor-parenting. It’s self control and moderation that people need to learn, not that, “Drugs are bad, mkay?”
Thanks for your comments and your thoughts. I do consider myself fortunate. While I was an active abuser of this drug, I also was a very successful competitive athlete. The only reason I did not fall into a complete tailspin with pot and managed to graduate high school and college was my commitment to doing whatever it took to stay eligible athletically. In that regard, my addiction never controlled or destroyed my life or my brain. Regarding the second part of your comment is “poor parenting.” There is not nearly enough room in a comment section to have a constructive, healthy dialogue around this comment. Having directly interacted with thousands of parents who are dealing with addiction in their families, the one thing I can definitively declare - the issue of drug addiction in our society is not the result of bad parenting. There are a lot of factors that cause undo influence on the adolescent mind. Familial environment can be one of them; however, it is a very small component of a very big, complicated issue.