Impact of cannabis use on recovery from use of other drugs

The aim of this research was to investigate the impact of cannabis use on recovery from alcohol, amphetamine and/or heroin dependence. 209 patients from inpatient psychiatric units in Bahrain were diagnosed according to DSM-IV as having current alcohol, amphetamine, and/or heroin dependence. Their age was at least 18 years old. They participated in a Psychiatric Research Interview for Substance and Mental Disorders and gave urine samples for drug screen. Sustained remission was defined as at least 24 weeks without use following hospital discharge. Cannabis use significantly increased the hazard of first use of other substances [33% of those returned to use]. It reduced strongly the likelihood of stable remission from use of other substances [41% of those who did not achieve remission]. Also it was significantly associated with relapse [17% of those who relapsed]. Cannabis use affected first use of alcohol and amphetamine, stable remission, and subsequent relapse, but was unrelated to heroin outcomes. Cannabis is not only a [gate way drug] but also it is a [lock in drug]. It imprisons the patient in addiction on other substances. Treatment of drug dependence should consider the potential negative clinical implications of cannabis use on the use of other substances

Effect of combined tobacco and marijuana abuse on some liver, cardiac enzyme activities and serum testosterone level

Addiction is a worldwide problem of public health that has many dimensions. This problem is shared by developed and developing countries and in spite of the effort done to face this problem, it seems to be escalating allover the world. The objective of our study was to evaluate the biochemical effect of bhang abuse and smoking on cardiovascular system, liver and reproductive system as well. During this study, the biochemical parameters including lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT] enzyme activities were determined in serum. In addition, testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone levels were also determined in serum of controls, bhang abusers, combined bhang and nicotine abusers and smokers alone. Our results indicated a significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate, alanine aminotransferases [AST, ALT] in all groups when compared with control group with the exception of AST and ALT activities showed no significant change in cigarette smoking group. In contrast, bhang and nicotine produced a significant decrease in testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone levels in all studied groups when compared with control group. The degree of change in these biochemical parameters was more strongly in response to combined bhang and cigarette smoking than everyone alone. However, our results along with other findings in the recent literature suggest that the obvious harmful effect of bhang abuse and smoking on cardiovascular system, liver and on fertility system

GABA changes in narcotic addiction

Changes in the plasma concentration of 8-amino butyric acid [GABA], the main inhibitory inhibitory neurotransmitter were studied in different types of narcotic drug addiction. Forty four adult male addicts were investigated. Simultaneously, urine analysis for detection of opiates, barbiturates and cannabmoids excreted during withdrawal and after withdrawal periods was done. Plasma concentration of GABA, showed a highly significant rise [P > 0.001] in addicts, when compared to normal healthy controls. The increase of mean values of GABA showed direct relation to the duration of addiction, although statistically nonsignificant. The rise of GABA was more pronounced in barbiturates than in opiates addiction during the withdrawal period, after which a decline of concentration was observed in barbiturate addicts, but still above the normal level, while opiate addicts showed a maintained significant rise. Combined narcotic addiction showed higher level of GABA, except in case of barbiturates with cannabinoids, indicating different mechanisms of drug interaction