How many times have you heard cautionary tales about young adults and teens using pot? After all, pot is considered a gateway drug due to the simple fact that it’s one of the first substances teens experiment with. However, did you ever read stories about the rise of marijuana’s popularity among senior citizens? We wouldn’t be surprised if you haven’t, due to the fact that few scientific studies have focused on the benefits or problems associated with pot use among older adults. Ultimately, this fact is a bit surprising, given that baby boomers (and possibly their parents) experimented with weed during the spark of its popularity in the 1960s and the 1970s. On that note, let’s take a closer look at the issue of marijuana use among seniors.
Rates of Use among Old Folks
Based on a recent study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence (September edition), researchers discovered that an estimated 9% of adults (ages 50 to 64) and about 3% of adults of 65 years or older confirmed they had used marijuana from 2015 to 2016. Although this number might appear to be slim, consider that this amount is a significant increase from 4.5% of 50 to 64-year olds who used weed from 2006 to 2007 and 0.4% of adults who are 65 and older.
In Canada, on the other hand, only 1.6% of seniors ages 65 and older used pot (according to a survey from 2015). An additional report also confirmed that 1/3 of 200,000 licensed men and women use this drug to cope with arthritis.
Why Are Older People Using Pot?
One 2017 study suggests that, the older people get, the more desperate they will become to alleviate symptoms associated with their advanced ages. However, the Canadian Science Policy Center has explained that, despite the excellent efforts for marketing marijuana as a viable medication, the research confirming the effectiveness of this plant is scarce. Canadian doctors only confirm that four conditions can be alleviated through marijuana use:
- Neuropathy
- Palliative pain
- Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy
- Spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis or a spinal cord injury
Seeking Treatment for Marijuana Use Disorder
Marijuana may be marketed as an alternative medication, but only a few health benefits can be procured from this reputed “miracle plant.” If you are trying to beat marijuana abuse or have a friend or family member who is coping with this terrible problem, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process detox and withdrawal and guide you through each step of rehabilitation to help you separate yourself from these substances.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can kick your marijuana use to the curb.
