Treatment for Hashish Abuse

Given the popularity of hashish use in the Canadian population, the need for high-quality prevention and intervention programs is highlighted. While many individuals with a history of hashish abuse are aware of their addiction, and are trying to quit, most lack the expertise required to help themselves.

The experience of hashish abuse among medical residents is low. It is recommended that medical schools implement and sustain addiction treatment programs that include instruction on methods to reduce or prevent hashish use.

Hashish abuse does not seem to have a clear cause, although the psychological effects of hashish are discussed, including an evolutionary basis. Other than these psychological effects, there is no direct evidence that hashish is a cause of cancer.

The American Psychological Association's latest survey, the first in 30 years, estimated that about 1% of Americans have tried cannabis use before age 30 and 13% at age 20; about 37% of those who ever use cannabis are daily users.

The long-term effects of hashish consumption tend to be as variable as the symptoms that are present before or after exposure to hashish. Hashish consumption, while not an entirely benign experience, does not seem to be an incurable condition, nor a condition which may be cured.

These signs of hashish abuse include anhedonia, forgetfulness, confusion, hallucinations, increased feelings of anxiety and paranoia, delusions, irritability and depression and a tendency towards violent behaviour. These may be due to a decrease in dopamine and to an increase in serotonin.

This report reveals a higher frequency of Hashish use and dependence in relatives of subjects with Hashish substance abuse and the possibility of genetic factors being associated with dependence with Hashish. The occurrence of Hashish abuse is similar in familial and non-familial populations (i.e., non-Genealog) for the same amount of Hashish use. Therefore, the prevalence of Hashish addiction seems to be a familial disease. Hashish abuse ran in families most often in a autosomal dominance-like mode. In contrast, the use of cannabis was not associated with a familial risk.

Treatment does not substantially enhance QOL in subjects with severe HA (QOL-ES, P <.001). These subjects should continue to experience the significant deficits in QOL that they report, given the serious comorbidities and other barriers they experience in obtaining treatment.

There are both positive and negative effects of cannabinoids. They produce some physiological stimulation of the body and can lead to positive consequences such as euphoria, diminished stress, and increased feelings of happiness. They can also produce other experiences such as dysphoria and anxiety. The combination of different substances leads to greater effects, such as a heightened perception of sensation. However the risks are not always clear-cut. Use of hashish can lead to the potential of intoxication, hallucinations, and paranoia. There are potential cognitive functions and effects such as memory enhancement, cognition, and insight. Use of cannabis may give users the sensation of a higher state of consciousness.

[Hashish abusers are at risk for a variety of negative health conditions which include, but are not limited to, chronic inflammation, poor immune function, and increased risk of developing coronary conditions later in life.] The more the patient smoked [hashish], the higher his risk of getting coronary disease.

The frequency and seriousness of hashish abuse cases reported in the literature vary widely. There are few studies which describe cases of hashish abuse that resulted in death, suicide, or amputation. This may reflect either inadequate reporting or a lack of interest in this relatively rare and stigmatized disorder.