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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sonchick on November 26, 2005, at 14:05:29
My son is on Wellbutrin, Zoloft and Risperdol for ADHD, Depression and Anger issues. His psychiatrist knows he smokes marijuana and says this will not mess up his prescribed drugs. But I have heard that it is not good to mix mj with Risperdol. Is this an individual thing? He is 14 and I wish he were not on any of these drugs but ...
Posted by JahL on November 27, 2005, at 22:23:15
In reply to marijuana and prescribed drugs, posted by Sonchick on November 26, 2005, at 14:05:29
> My son is on Wellbutrin, Zoloft and Risperdol for ADHD, Depression and Anger issues. His psychiatrist knows he smokes marijuana and says this will not mess up his prescribed drugs. But I have heard that it is not good to mix mj with Risperdol. Is this an individual thing? He is 14 and I wish he were not on any of these drugs but ...
Hi there.
There's a lot of controversy surrounding the long term effects of MJ on the brain.
You may know that here in the UK Cannabis was recently reclassified as being a 'Class C' drug (equivalent to prescription drugs...). However following a number of recent studies *suggesting* a causal link between MJ use and the later onset of schizophrenia, our wavering government is now having a rethink. It is thought that young users are particularly susceptible to any sinister effects of MJ because their brains are still developing. Susceptibility is thought to some extent to be genetically determined; there are two genes thought to be central to this issue. The wrong combination (M-M gene configuration =<100% increased risk; M-D =200% increase of incidence of schizophrenia; D-D =800% (!!!) increase in risk) is of course a cause for concern for the patient. An even more worrying stat - widely reported in UK ntl newspapers last week - is that a recent study suggested that 80% of all young men diagnosed with schizophrenia had prior exposure to MJ. In the UK we have a fairly relaxed attitude towards drugs and kids start young these days. However 80% youth uptake of MJ is unrealistic and so it is reasonable to conclude there is at least something to these observations. [NB - figures quoted are off the top of my head and might vary a little]
Scary bit over. I have to let you know that I have *plenty* of sympathy with your son and I am most certainly *not* preaching. Fact is, I am psychologically, seriously ADDICTED to MJ. Mary Jane is my second lover. I am almost 30 now but started around your son's age. Since then, not a day has passed without a hefty dose. I smoke about a kilo of high THC content hydroponically grown skunk a year - a fairly hefty amount - and other than the obvious effects of smoking (lung damage etc) I can report few ill effects. That's just me though.
As with your son, I have serious anger issues and experience a great deal of violent ideation (including violence towards one's self, or suicidal ideation). I originally started smoking MJ because of the prevailing 'drugs are cool' youth culture and soon found it helped my chronic insomnia. Now I smoke both to relax - I exist in a constant state of agitation - and to stay out of trouble (it's very hard to become involved in fights when stoned!).
I have seen numerous specialists over the years and most have come round to the fact that, for me at least, MJ does more good than harm. I am Bipolar and therefore obliged to indulge in polypharmacy. I take Lamictal, Sulpiride, Cloazepam and low-dose Methadone and never have any of the experts I have seen ever suggested that MJ in any way alters the efficacy of my meds. Naturally, all pdocs are obliged to recommend their patients do not take illicit drugs - for good reason, but with me there is ultimately no real issue.
I'm afraid I can't answer your query concerning Risperdal - maybe Ed_UK can. However, my own experiences and observations point to some people overplaying the risk of drug interaction with MJ. Maybe Risperdal is a special case tho'
Essentially it would appear that your son is 'self-medicating' with MJ. When I was a teen I 'self medicated' with large quantities of almost every illicit drug available. On top of anhedonic Bipolar, I also suffer from social phobia. Sad as it may seem - I am incapable of socialising without being 'off my face'.
So what am I saying?
I admire your non-judgemental attitude towards your son's 'vice'. People can have a hard time accepting that people like your son and myself are in so much distress that almost anything that will ameliorate the suffering is used, legal or not. Having said that, it's obviously not great that your son should have to resort to something which society frowns upon (not me though).
This slice of prime waffle is actually a result of running out of MJ. Rather than pace around and put my fist through doors I thought I would distract myself with my first Babble post for six months (you should feel honoured - you are the chosen one ;-) )
If you ever want to discuss Substance Use with someone who isn't going to wrongly condemn you as an irresponsible mother - some might; I just think you're realistic and understanding - feel free to engage me (my posts aren't always this long :-) ).
I wish you and your son the best of luck. You seem to appreciate that your son needs understanding and not self-righteous condemnation. Very refreshing for me. My own mother is similarly sympathetic to my predicament - without ever actually encouraging drug use.
People don't like to hear it, but for some of us, as the late, great Bill Hicks (RIP) said, drugs have been unmitigated fun. Without the socialising effects of Ecstasy, Alcohol etc I would most likely have few close friends, little in the way of social support structures and would probably be six feet under. Of course too many others have their lives ruined by drugs. Toughie...
Right, ramble over.
Best of luck,
Jamie.
P.S. People. I'm not interested in a discussion on the pros (fun, profound experiences) and cons (addiction, health issues) of drugs. I merely relate my own experiences and I most certainly do not advocate Substance Use; I just don't condemn it either. There is often a *reason* (i.e. undiagnosed mental condition) for peoples' involvement in drug taking.
P.P.S Some hope: I stopped taking drugs other than MJ almost 8 years ago. Despite the fact practically *all* my friends take drugs regularly, I have not been tempted even once since. It can be done!
Posted by Festus on December 11, 2005, at 0:18:26
In reply to Re: marijuana and prescribed drugs » Sonchick, posted by JahL on November 27, 2005, at 22:23:15
I feel the same way as Jamie,about handling your son like a person,instead of freakin him out and yellin and goin"Oh,NO!How could you do this to ME?"I would like to think my kids will come to me first,if they are being tempted to try a cigarette or a beer,even Weed.I can't lie about it,but just a few months back,I started back "having a puff-or-two",myself,for aid in coming off Methadone I've been on for 3 years(before that,it was Oxycontin for 3 years,before that,Morphine,Vicodin,and Darvocet for the 15 years prior to the Oxy).I guess what I,m getting at is that when a kid is around others that are taking pain pills,smoking,drinking,etc.,the idea is always fresh,as far as trying it for THEMSELVES.Most certainly,genetics play a big role in many facets of this process.The process is as such:
1)Exposure to Substance
2)"Trying out" of Substance(Depending on the outcome of this trial,one of these next few will often occur):
3) If response is Un-Favorable,it is probably best not to worry about it,at this point.
If it is a Favorable or Pleasant response,things can go in a few different directions.The user will contemplate how much enjoyment they really got,then may go score a bit ,to "test it some more",or it may trigger such a nice response to them,that they are ready NOW,to score.This is why I hope to be present ,if my kid wants to try "Some Tests"on some Weed or a few beers,heck,if it helps,I'll test it with them.I want my kids to know I'm there for them ,regardless,so I can talk to and teach them some "Street Smarts" about effects of stuff,good and bad,things to show them that I trust in them,so to earn their trust in me.I'm sorry to go on-&-on,I think your Son is lucky.Festus
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