Over 1600 Total Lots Up For Auction at Four Locations - NJ Cleansweep 05/07, NJ Cleansweep 05/08, CA 05/09, CO 05/12

PTSD patients embrace medical marijuana — but does it really help?

by Thomas Dworetzky, Contributing Reporter | March 23, 2016
Alzheimers/Neurology Business Affairs Population Health Risk Management

A study on the VA website notes that pot use is climbing among vets. "The percentage of veterans in VA with PTSD and substance use disorder who were diagnosed with cannabis use disorder increased from 13 percent in fiscal year 2002 to 22.7 percent in FY 2014. As of FY 2014, there are more than 40,000 veterans with PTSD and SUD seen in VA diagnosed with cannabis use disorder.

Pot use can lead to problems, however, at work, in social situations, and with sleeping for vets, according to the agency.

stats
DOTmed text ad

We repair MRI Coils, RF amplifiers, Gradient Amplifiers and Injectors.

MIT labs, experts in Multi-Vendor component level repair of: MRI Coils, RF amplifiers, Gradient Amplifiers Contrast Media Injectors. System repairs, sub-assembly repairs, component level repairs, refurbish/calibrate. info@mitlabsusa.com/+1 (305) 470-8013

stats

"Marijuana may initially provide some relief," but for those with PTSD, "it's very hard to stop it once you start it," according to Dr. Karen Drexler, the VA's deputy national mental health program director for addictive disorders. "It gets into this vicious cycle."

Not everyone agrees with that, however.

"I started really engaging in therapy every week and started being really honest with myself and getting over things," said Whiter, who added Zoloft to his pot use. "I can't push enough that therapy is very key in this. It's not just weed."

Back to HCB News

You Must Be Logged In To Post A Comment