Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jan 2020 Source: USA Today (US) Copyright: 2020 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/625HdBMl Website: http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/index.htm Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/466 Author: Jayne O' Donnell MARIJUANA PSYCHOSIS TREATMENT TOUGH TO FIND FOR YOUNG PEOPLE When Garrett Rigg moved from a "transitional living program" facility near Chicago last month into a group home, it was a major milestone for the 27-year-old, who traveled 1,000 miles from his home in Denver to get treatment after a cannabis-induced psychotic break five years ago. Rigg had to leave his hometown because it lacked suitable long-term treatment, according to his mother, Connie Kabrick. The three marijuana dispensaries at the intersection a half block from her home are the reason why she says he can't move As marijuana increasingly becomes legalized, parents of children who make up the mounting cases of cannabis-induced psychosis and other mental illness say treatment is far less available than the pot they say is linked to the conditions. Many marijuana advocates question the strength of the science behind warnings by federal and state public health officials. They say more rigorous studies are needed to prove whether frequent use of high-potency pot caused the mental illness or if it would have occurred anyway. Whether marijuana is the cause or the self-prescribed cure, the rise in psychosis, schizophrenia and suicide among young, heavy users comes amid a shortage in doctors and facilities to treat them. Parents describe spotty understanding of cannabis-induced mental illness and the best ways to treat it among doctors. A Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration survey found in 2018 there were 3,752 substance abuse treatment programs that served adolescents. That's about 25% of the number available for adults as federal data shows marijuana use soaring among high school students. Lori Robinson is the founder of Moms Strong, a group that works to educate people on the connection between marijuana, mental illness and suicide. Her son, Shane, died by suicide in 2012 after hospitalizations for "It's hard to find someone who specializes in child psychiatry as well as addiction." Wun Jung Kim Child psychiatrist and professor, Rutgers University psychosis in 2009 and 2011. She calls the treatment he received "horrendous." It wasn't until 2013 that the Diagnostic Statistical Manual - the physicians' bible for recognized mental health conditions - added a "cannabis-use-disorder" section, which she says described Shane's conditions. "American psychiatric facilities do not understand the severe brain impact from THC on some people, especially when my son was hospitalized," Robinson says. "I wish I believed their awareness was much better today, (but) I don't know of any outstanding rehab facility in the U.S. who understands cannabis-use-disorder/cannabis-induced-psychosis and how to help with long-lasting recovery." Rutgers University opened an Adolescent Substance Evaluation Service in July at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The staff includes fellows in child and adolescent psychiatry who refer patients to providers or in the community. Wun Jung Kim, a child psychiatrist and professor at the Rutgers medical school, estimates at least half of young people come in because of marijuana-related conditions. "It's hard to find someone who specializes in child psychiatry as well as addiction, and facilities for those kids are very limited," he says. "I don't think society takes use of marijuana seriously in kids." - --- MAP posted-by: Matt