Cannabis Addiction

 

Key findings associated with cannabis use, cannabis-induced, and cannabis-related disorders include the following:

• Mood:Acute use may be associated with feelings of euphoria, uncontrollable laughter, increased appetite, and difficulty concentrating. In chronic use or withdrawal, patients may report a depressed mood characterized by apathy, lack of motivation, irritability, loss of interest in typical activities, difficulty concentrating, and possibly isolation.
• Affect: Acutely, affect may span the spectrum from euphoric to anxious. In chronic use, affect may be constricted or flat.
• Thought process and content: As in any mental status examination, assessing the patient for the presence of suicidality or homicidality and taking appropriate action is critical. Patients may demonstrate flight of ideas, loose associations, and, in some cases, delusions and hallucinations.
• Cognition: In both acute and chronic use, difficulty concentrating and memory impairment are common.

Physical signs and symptoms associated with cannabis use are particularly relevant to the diagnosis of cannabis intoxication: Conjunctival injection Increased appetite Dry mouth Tachycardia Additionally, patients may demonstrate physical symptoms associated with cannabis withdrawal syndrome.

Other adverse physical and psychological manifestations associated with marijuana abuse are as follows: Sweating Headaches Restlessness Forgetfulness Visual distortions Lack of concentration Paranoia Mood changes Perceptual changes Feeling impersonal Panic disorder Amotivational syndrome Delusions Psychosis