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Unintended Consequences: The Rise of High-Potency Cannabis
Users across all ages and experience levels are noticing that a drug they once turned to for fun and relaxation now triggers existential dread and paranoia,” wrote Malcolm Ferguson in August in The Atlantic. Like other observers, Ferguson has started to realize what many mental health professionals have known for many years. Cannabis products in the United States have been weaponized on an industrial scale.
“In 2022, the federal government reported that, in samples seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, average levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC—the psychoactive compound in weed that makes you feel high—had more than tripled compared with 25 years earlier, from 5 to 16 percent,” Ferguson reported. “That may understate how strong weed has gotten.”
The “fun and relaxation” was never meant for minors: the legal sale and use of cannabis has been limited to adults over 21 in all states and territories but as before legalization, marijuana products frequently find their way into the hands of teenagers—and it’s popular.
Changing Perceptions on Cannabis
“Cannabis is in and alcohol is out”—a preference change likely driven by Gen Z, Nikki Battiste reported for CBS News in May. The cannabis industry has managed to convince large numbers of Americans—particularly young people—that their potent products are harmless if not beneficial for their well-being. As a consequence, millennials and Gen Z tend to think of alcohol as harmful and marijuana as healthy.
According to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “there are real risks for people who use marijuana, especially youth and young adults… Today’s marijuana is stronger than ever before. People can and do become addicted to marijuana. Approximately one in ten people who use marijuana will become addicted. When they start before age 18, the rate of addiction rises to one in six.”
Using marijuana can affect performance and how well people do in life. Research shows that people who use marijuana are more likely to have relationship problems, worse educational outcomes, lower career achievement, and reduced life satisfaction.
A new systematic review and meta-analysis of collected data on marijuana use by teenagers found that it can put their academic performance on a downward trajectory.
Cannabis and Brain Architecture
Data from almost 440,000 youths found higher rates of school absenteeism, lower grades, and other poor outcomes. “Chronic use among adolescents has been linked to long-term changes in brain architecture,” the study authors say, “resulting in impaired information processing and decreased cognitive, memory, and attentive capacity in adulthood.”
Around 18 million Americans now report using marijuana daily or near daily, more than the number of people who drink alcohol that often. At the same time, cannabis products have become much more potent than in decades past, and more kids are using it
Teenage substance misuse is not an isolated phenomenon but is strongly correlated with the mental health crisis among young people. New research confirms that teens who use cannabis, alcohol, nicotine, and other substances often attempt to self-medicate mental health issues.
Cannabis and Co-occurring Mental Health Conditions
The term dual diagnosis is used to describe co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or trauma. BasePoint Academy is a trusted leader in specialized treatment for dual-diagnosis teens and adolescents. Our evidence-based treatment plans determine the most effective methods for developing a personalized roadmap that guides clients toward healing, recovery, and a fulfilling life.
Getting Teen Mental Health Treatment with BasePoint Academy
We proudly serve the vibrant communities of Dallas, TX, including surrounding areas such as Arlington, Forney, and McKinney. Our specialized partial hospitalization program (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP) in Dallas, Texas, are carefully crafted to address the unique mental health challenges faced by today’s teens. These dynamic programs tackle the multifaceted and complex teen experience, setting a new standard for care.
We offer a complimentary mental health assessment with a licensed clinician to guide you toward the appropriate level of care for your teen, whether they need IOP for teens, depression treatment for teens, or teen trauma treatment. In Dallas, TX, therapy for teens is made accessible, with additional services including anger management for teens near you and teen counseling throughout Texas.
Our expert team of teen therapists in Dallas is here to help. We ensure transparency about costs, including how much teenage therapy and outpatient mental health services may cost, as well as the partial hospitalization program cost. Additionally, we provide clarity on the cost of IOP with insurance in Texas and assist in navigating insurance coverage, including UMR, Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, for services like ADHD testing. Explore our offerings to find teen group therapy near you and take the first step toward healing today.
Call us to schedule a complimentary same-day assessment at tel:4696296355 or complete our inquiry form.
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