Pubdate: Wed, 02 Mar 2016
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Andre C. Piver
Page: A12

POT HAS DRAWBACKS

Regular Use of Drugs Delays Emotional Development

A missing piece of the public conversation about the pending 
legislative change to marijuana is not about the drug, but the 
pattern of use (if highly frequent), which is what makes it most 
commonly harmful.

When people regularly use a drug to turn down the discomfort of life, 
they are less likely to learn from experience, problem-solve and grow.

We all naturally moderate stress somewhat with momentary business or 
distraction, but using a drug turns stress down for many hours and 
usually into sleep. Furthermore, tranquillizers, narcotics, more than 
a small dose of alcohol, and marijuana also suppress dream sleep, 
where more critical sorting-out and processing occurs.

People who use a drug regularly remain stuck with habitual and 
emotionally immature reactions to the human situation, as a learned 
early coping mechanism. This pattern gets in the way of developing 
more effective ones. Who we really are is more about this, our 
personal and emotional development, than it is about our level of 
formal education (and how sophisticated our rationalization).

It is even more critical with respect to youth. Early use of drugs 
leads to earlier developmental stagnation with unconscious early 
childhood strategies (dysfunctional patterns), more likely for life.

My comments are based on my own personal experience as a child of the 
1960s, including watching friends evolve - or not - over the years, 
and the privilege of over 20 years of professional experience in 
outpatient mental health.

Andre C. Piver, MD Nelson
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom