Does Treatment for “Marijuana Abuse” Drive People to Drink?
That would seem to be the implication of a new study just published online by the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. But the study’s authors aren’t so sure.
The study measured drinking patterns in individuals who enrolled in treatment for marijuana dependence as part of a study designed to test different treatment methods. Participants greatly reduced their marijuana use, but 73 % also increased the number of days on which they drank alcohol by at least 10%. Most also increased the amount they drank on those drinking days. This seems like prima facie evidence of a substitution effect — alcohol being substituted for marijuana.
The researchers, surprisingly, don’t draw that conclusion, based on the fact that drinking behavior did not seem to change in proportion with marijuana use. Instead, they write, “We are left with a mystery.”
It seems to me that, in the absence of another plausible cause, substitution of booze for marijuana still looks like the most likely explanation, though more research is absolutely needed. Given what’s known about the much more serious health risks of alcohol as compared to marijuana, this ought to cause at least some unease regarding the 140,000-plus Americans forced into treatment for alleged marijuana problems by the criminal justice system each year.
Tagged with: alcohol and dependence and marijuana and science and treatment by the author
44 comments
((”FIRST POST”))
Hmm, yeah I hate how people like that dont tell you a streight awnser.
I quit using cannabis about 6 months ago for my job and now I probably drink much more than I used to. So I believe that there is merit to this story. This is why I think it is crazy that cannabis is illegal while alcohol remains legal. I would much rather relax with a joint than with a drink but society forces me to choose the least healthy of the two options. Even worse I am starting to smoke cigarettes occasionally. Why am I, as a responsible taxpayer, forced to choose much more unhealthy substances to unwind with at the end of the day when I would rather use cannabis?
The only reason I drink in excess (to get drunk) is because Cannabis is illegal. Otherwise, I’d just smoke a bowl and enjoy 1 beer to relax.
i smoke marijuana once in a while, and it never makes me wanna go out and drink or get drunk, i don’t even drink anymore cause id rather smoke marijuana, and be Safe and live in good condition.
I drank heavily for the eight years I was in the military because I couldn’t smoke anymore. I always thought if I could smoke legally I could probably do a full 20 years. Oh well, so much for that.
When I have some quality pot, I drink very little, maybe 2 drinks, because I do not want to dilute the high!Otherwise, before my strokeI was drinking a case of beer a night after work before darts or pool. Then driving home which I did because of my tolerance, but still not as desirable as smoking a bowl of good pot and putting on either bb king live at nicks, Erick Clapton 24 nights or SRV live at el macombo.
I don’t drink at all. I’ve smoked marijuana for years and never had the urge to drink, it’s just not something I want to do. I enjoy marijuana’s effects and it’s more enjoyable (not to mention safer)
When I quit sometime back(smoking cannabis) I notice my alcohol intake increased. I also noticed it didnt relax me nearly as much as a bowl or two of premo a day.
I drink very little these days,cant stomache the crap. I even sit down once in a while with the intent of getting drunk,I usually get throught two or three beers and I’m done for the night and usually the week. The crap is just no good for you and doesnt relax me to any degree that is useful. I’m just a big ball of stress these days. Really wish I could sit down with a bowl or two now and then. Makes life much more tolerable.
For the prohibs and morally rightious that would say,”Why do have to use anything?” I dont have to use anything,but I choose to do what makes MY life tolerable. Its MY choice. Go live your PUSH,PUSH , stress filled life til you die! When cannabis is legal, I’ll look at you and laugh at your misery. Have a good day.
so true… when i cant get bud i drink a whole lot more…
Personally, I’ve never been drunk and never will. I’ve chosen to make the safer choice and use marijuana occasionally instead, despite it being illegal.
I made this decision after seeing people being violent while drinking, stumbling around and unable to act civilized or carry on a conversation. Yet, everybody I’ve seen that uses cannabis is calm, happy and just wants to have a good time and live in peace.
That’s exactly how I feel when I use marijuana, honestly I’ll never even consider drinking, much less anything else. I simply cannot comprehend why they allow this charade called marijuana prohibition to continue, while leaving alcohol and even tobacco legal, which have been proven to be much more dangerous and kills millions every year.
This issue needs more national attention and consideration by the voters to change it for the better, we need an open debate with all the knowledge we have, then decide is marijuana itself truly worse than prohibition and the horrors caused by it? What causes people to suffer more, using marijuana or everything associated with prohibition? Pretty easy choice in my opinion
Yeah, once upon a time before my 6 DWI’s and my 1000’s of regretful drunk nights, I only smoked pot. I got caught with pot and then put on probation and into treatment. That was the moment I was forced to use alcohol to relax and socialize. I never ever drank before probation but that was the legal option and look where it got me. Look what great rewards were produced. I’m now sober from alcohol(2.5 years+) and I responsibly enjoy the safer alternative daily..Marijuana!
Treatment for my responsible marijuana usage turned me into a drunk for sure! This was obviously the result of many bad decisions, but alcohol formed most of those decisions. “Treatment” in our country is more like criminal anti-society training. Teaching us how to deviate and cheat the rules while we rebel and fight for our rights!
Study says being forced into cannabis rehab by courts and not being allowed to smoke makes you want to drink.
Researchers: Well… uh… it’s baffling, we just can’t figure it out. We have no idea why anybody would ever want to have fun or relieve stress. Similarly, we have no idea why being in the criminal justice system makes you want to drink.
Sounds about right…. too bad they couldn’t give a straight answer that undermines their old beliefs!
I do drink casually, but you all can guess which I would enjoy more and choose over the other.
roe i know exactly what you mean. as soon as i started a career and family i was given the choice, simply because it’s illegal, of stop smoking cannabis or lose it all. since that’s not really a choice i drank alot then. now i know how bad alcohol is and tobacco. i try not to drink and quit smoking, but man i wish i could unwind with a hit once a week. i don’t think it’s criminal
Man Im glad I smoke MJ even tough is illegal. Ill choose mj anytime over beer. If i did drink like i did in HS I think i would have been under 5 DUIs, would have lost my license, and get in fights with so many people. So I believe this theory is true and im gonna start telling my people about it.
Peace My Fellow Cannabis
i’m screwed any way you slice it-I strongly prefer marijuana to alchohol but i can’t get a job dropping a dirty u.a. (drug test) and being unemployed i can only afford alcohol, which is not anywhere near as safe as marijuana
I am living proof of this fact. I only drink (beer) when I can’t find any weed, which is all too often in Philadelphia and which is one of many reasons why I became an activist for legalization. The government wants me to become addicted to alcohol so that they can make mega bucks off my treatment for addiction and subsequent side effects. Cannabis prohibition is the greatest fraud ever perpetrated on America.
I only drink more during stents of cannabis dryness (can’t get any). Otherwise I am what most would consider to be a non-drinker. I also used marijuana to quit smoking cigarettes 6 years ago.
i am in treatment right now , and even though i can not smoke cannabis i still wont drink, i stoped drinking three years ago due to a almost near fatel car crash, and i do not want to go down that road again.
OXFORD MISSISSIPPI THE USA GOVERNMENT HAS 6 ACRE’S OF PROPERTY TO GROW MARIJUANA FOR MEDICATION
I love it. Marijuana use decreased dramatically while people were in treatment. Maybe because their in treatment because of a court order and are being screened for marijuana use. Of course, the prohibitionists will try to use this a proof that treatment works so they can compell more people into treatment.
An attack on diversion and treatment programs for “criminal” offenders keeps these people out of prison, thereby securing a greater degree of liberty than would otherwise occur. Pragmatism suggests that you not attack these programs for “the 140,000-plus Americans forced into treatment for alleged marijuana problems by the criminal justice system each year.” Undoubtedly, many of these 140,000 benefited from diversion programs. While cannabis is not an incredibly harmful or addictive drug, it like all drugs can cause problems (argue about the degree, if you like) and to disregard this is both ignorant and short-sighted. Drug courts and other diversion programs are a great blessing for the US justice system.
Thomas @ #22
“An attack on diversion and treatment programs for “criminal” offenders keeps these people out of prison, thereby securing a greater degree of liberty than would otherwise occur. ”
Arresting non violent marijuana users and forcing them into treatment programs (criminal record vs. treatment program is not much of a choice) is not “securing a greater degree of liberty”, it is taking away the liberty of the 750,000 Americans arrested each year for simple possession. Our Constitution secures liberty as a fundamental right that Government is sworn to uphold. Liberty is the condition in which an individual has the right to act according to his or her own will. Arresting non-violent marijuana users who are acting according to their free will (not hurting anyone else) is a restriction on Liberty that our Constitution is supposed to protect us against.
It has been a year when I had my last my last joint session, an since then I’ve been drawn to the enjoyment of Irish Whiskey, Single Malt Scotch, and expensive high quality sipping Tequila, plus beer, wine, and anything that rum can be mixed in.
Sorry guys/ladies have not been on lately as many people know I am a network marketer and is partial reason why I have not been on lately. How ever I did see the news and must say that this is indeed a good step for the cause. But we all must remember not to quit fighting just because we are making progress matter of fact we need to keep doing all we can and are doing till our cause has won and even then after we do win the cause we must still keep fighting where history does not repeat its self after all what good would it do if we faught for the cause won the cause then did nothing else while the prohibitionists notice this they would be more likely to do away with the progress we made. This is a reason why we shall still need MPP , NORML and those others who are out their as rep.s for us the people. We are all doing a great job as it is but the fight is far from over. So keep up the fight fellow patriots and as soon as I find out when their is an update for the HR2943 bill I shall post it for every one to know what the update is.
http://www.break.com/usercontent/2009/7/white-people-gonna-riot-825433.html
Bruce! great reporting, as always! i have a tidbit of information for you for the next time someone asks you about Milton Friedman ,
Hes been Reported to have said this ” There is no logical basis for the prohibition of marijuana”…..”Its absolutely disgraceful to think of picking up a twenty two year old for smoking pot. More disgraceful is the denial of Marijuana for medical purposes.”
and tell them that a Nobel prize winner is nothing to scoff at!
I went in the military in 2000, very avid smoker for 22. I rarely drank, and when I did, it was a 40 oz max. Of course- Zero Tolerance- so everybody drank. I’ve seen tons of different drugs IN the military, but, I rarely touched, maybe once a year. Then I had orders to Iraq so I conveniently popped on a whiz quiz. But during the times I didn’t smoke or wasn‘t looking to get kicked out, what else is there but alcohol. I was soon able to down a case easily. I didn’t like myself. I did really stupid things while drunk too. So what makes MJ so bad?
Then after I popped, I was told that IF I wanted out so bad, I should have claimed “ALCOHOL DEPENDENCY”…. Really? I lost 15 lbs after I started smoking. Weird. I ate healthy. Oh how I ate… but good stuff. Got active. Made a garden… and NO, it’s a real garden… I wish. My marriage is so much better, but it was hard for my wife to grasp I’d rather do something illegal that helps my ringing in my ears from the jets I worked around. The pounding in my head when I wake up sometimes. I guess that’s why the VA decided I’m 30% disabled as well. Plus I like the way I feel. I still function efficiently and sometimes better.
Do you really think there would be so many alcohol related incidents if MJ was legal? I have to say no. And looking at many smokers, I really don’t think there will be a lot of violence associated with it either. Maybe robbing people coming out of the store, but I’d be more worried about minors. Hell, it’s easier for them to stay home and grab mom or dad booze. In my case, smoke, and I have to worry. My 8 year olds’ birthday is 4:20.
@ #22
Claiming drug courts are a blessing to the US judicial system is like claiming the ghettos as a blessing to Nazi Germany in that the alternative was supposedly worse.
Drug courts are the same as any other court. The only difference is the sole purpose it has is for drug offenders. In counties without drug courts, most of the drug defendants get the same deal as the drug court people do: complete X, Y and Z (typically forced treatment, random tests and community service) or go to jail.
Don’t believe that drug courts are anything except one more jobs program that would not be possible without the war on drugs and users.
Try pointing a gun at somebody’s head and telling them that their other option is having their legs cut off. And then try to tell them that they should view having their legs cut off as a blessing because otherwise you would have shot them.
Hi Mailmaninwheelchair…
Don’t forget to lace your BB, and Stevie with some Joe Bonamassa for the complete blues&bud experience.
It’s a mindscrambler.
Personal experience tells me YES. My alcohol consumption went way up while I was in court ordered “treatment”. Since when does the government have the right to regulate my “morality”. I believe that our legislators including (but not limited to): Mark Sanford, Larry Craig, Elliot Spitzer, Mark Foley and John Edwards need to worry about their own morality and leave the rest of us alone.
I was forced into substance abuse treatment for Cannabis while incarcerated for possessing 2 grams and I got a 3 year sentence. Yes, I’m a minority so Rehab is never offered as an option and I got the max penalty.
I did the time, and I did the treatment. It’s all a joke and the people teaching the class know it. They just go through the motions to get the paycheck.
I’v e been smoking this medicine for well over 20 years, and there’s no way I’m going to believe someone who has no experience, except from what they’ve read, and tell me I should have been hallucinating and seeing pink elephants when I smoke cannabis because that’s what it says in their literature!!! No wonder why these guys can’t tell the difference between Cannabis and LSD, they have no idea WTF they are talking about.
And if you don’t accept their “so-called treatment”, they waive the parole/probation hearing in your face.
Since my charge was possession, it was basically a victimless crime, but they wanted me to admit that “the victim is the tax payers who are paying for all these drug enforcement costs”. Biggest crock of BS I ever heard.
Yes, all of your tax dollars were wasted for incarcerating me for 3 years for 2 grams of cannabis. They can’t make money unless they can find a way to spend it or justify a way to spend it by “Protecting our Society”.
WELL WHO IS GOING TO PROTECT US ALL FROM THE GOVT!?!?
HUMANKIND MUST EXERCISE OUR FREEDOMS AND TAKE BACK OUR GOD GIVEN RIGHTS !!!!
i have smoked pot for about 25 years and i have only drank to get drunk or tobe social around freinds ect.. i have been in health care and other mind sensetive jobs like driving semi-trucks all over the u.s.a … and i have watch prices on bad weed go up and good weed get better …i have smoked it all and i have had better pain relief from mj. than any other drug on the planet…wWE NEED TO CHANGE THIS FAILED DRUG POLICIES AND LEGALZE WEED ..FOR ALL OF OUR PEOPLE…
what has happened to our country and world we were built on revolution so why cant we do it now. we have become sheep and our shepherds are greedy, corrupt evil men that don’t care what happens to us. they only what money and that is it.they don’t care how many lives they ruin.
it is absolutely true. when i was arrested for possession and given 1 year of probation with random testing my alcohol consumption skyrocketed. when i smoke i hardly drink. as an alcoholic i am successfully using pot to quit drinking heavily, now i have a couple of beers when i smoke if idrink at all.
Back when I was still able to work and worked for a county government and they started drug testing a lot of people who smoked cannabis switched to coke because it don’t stay in the system as long. It makes no sence to me to criminalize a plant that not only causes no harm but is good for you.
Treatment for marajuana abuse? That’s a joke right? Reminds me of the movie “Half Baked” when Dave Chappel went to a NA meeting and was laughed out of the place when he said he was addicted to marajuana.
The absence of marijuana causes people to be turned on to hate and violence, which goes well with drinking. It is not caused by withdrawl, it is because people like to be turned on to something.
Listening to sermons and singing church hyms is not one of them unless I’m high on pot. lol
I’m so terrible with grammar. lol
The last sentence of my previous reply was about searching for alternative things for pleasure in a world of no pot.
Unfortunately this has happened to me. I am currently in treatment for being “marijuana abusive”, which is an absolute joke. I can’t even take some of the things that go on there seriously. They often categorize marijuana with harder drugs and say it is immoral, unhealthy, and addictive. Anyone who has smoked marijuana knows that isn’t true. Since I am currently abstaining from weed I’ve noticed that hitting the bottle seems more appealing than before. I’m drinking more often and I’m drinking larger quantities than before. It is a great shame that not everyone sees the great potential this heavenly plant possesses.
Ever been to treatment? It will make you drink!
First, let’s get you off that nasty weed and on to some of our anti-depressants, because obviously you need them. Now, let’s use lots of Christianity and “turn ourselves over to the will of GOD.” Finally, we’ll go to meetings and constantly remind ourselves of our past transgressions.
My wife guilted me into stopping marijuana consumption, after 30 years of my affair with Mary J. (Mary J never argued, and always gave me a warm embrace…) From age 12 until age 42 Mary J was my mistress. I gave it up three years ago. My wife was raised to believe pot smokers were the devil. Yeah, I know that wasn’t the best match for me. NOW. She is gorgeous and was/is wholesome mom material. I am a functional provider. I supply 85% of my families financial needs. My wife supplies the other 15%. I was no stoner slacker. Now I’m no stoner at all. Instead I have substituted alcohol for marijuana. I would like to say I have found a substitute for getting high. Like building a model, reading, or hiking. Before I enhanced those experiences with pot. Now I just get looped on wine Friday and Saturday nights. Since it is obvious I like getting high, I would rather smoke pot than drink. Drinking makes me loose, and stupid. Occasionally, things come out that I wouldn’t say if I didn’t have a couple glasses of wine. Pot slows me down, but I never feel out of control. I’d rather smoke a couple of vaporizer hits, than drink three glasses of merlot. I miss my connection with the pot smoking based on my hippie influence from the 70’s. I miss kickin’ back with Mary J.
Love,
I’d rather toke a bong, than sip a glass.
im 15 and my parents drug test me now and i cant smoke weed anymore and lately iv been takeing there liqur very often and iv noticed it makes me sick i hate geting drunk it sucks and iv been poping pills and i cant stop so idk how its considerd so bad.im very depressed now also and realy wish i was dead i wish i could explain to my parents why their wrong but their too stubern so its pointless i dont have alot and smoking weed made me happy and now i cant even do that idk how to be happy now
any ideas for me plz reply if you do
boy #42 and #43: I know that this will be very difficult, but you if you’re stealing liquor and popping pills and feeling so bad that you wish you were dead, you need to get help. If you don’t feel safe talking to your parents, find someone at your school to talk to — a teacher you like, a counselor, the school nurse, someone.
You don’t have to feel this way. If you needed to smoke marijuana to feel happy, you may have clinical depression, which is a serious medical illness that can be treated. I’m not a doctor and not qualified to make a diagnosis, but one thing I can tell for sure is that you need to get professional help, and that you CAN be helped. And however hard it may be to talk about this stuff to adults, please, please do it, and let me know what happened. Please don’t give up, you CAN solve this.
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