News (Media Awareness Project) - Australia: Study To Target Pot Withdrawals |
| Title: | Australia: Study To Target Pot Withdrawals |
| Published On: | 2011-02-16 |
| Source: | Lismore Northern Star (Australia) |
| Fetched On: | 2011-03-09 14:14:33 |
STUDY TO TARGET POT WITHDRAWALS
PEOPLE who feel their use of marijuana is problematic, and who want to stop smoking pot, are being invited to take part in a new trial at the Riverlands Drug and Alcohol Centre in Lismore.
The trial is being conducted with researchers from the University of Sydney to evaluate the safety and usefulness of the mood-stabilising medication lithium, commonly used for the management of bipolar affective disorder in the management of cannabis withdrawal.
Trial co-ordinator, Dr Jennifer Johnston, said while many pot smokers felt they could stop at will, others found they experienced withdrawal symptoms such as sleep difficulties, increased anger and aggression, irritability, nervousness and anxiety.
"Some users at the severe end of cannabis use struggle to give it up, so for them we are offering a seven-day detox at Riverlands," she said.
The project is a double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial. Neither the participants nor the medical officers will know who is receiving lithium and who is getting a placebo.
"When I first heard about this, I was a bit concerned about using lithium One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and all that," Dr Johnston admitted.
"But we will only be administering lithium in low doses for seven days it's long term, high-dosage lithium use that can be problematic for some patients. And currently we have no medications for use in cannabis withdrawal management.
"We're hoping to attract a large number of people to take part in this. During the seven days, as well as receiving lithium or a placebo, participants will have access to all our back-up services, group meetings and other activities and will be closely monitored throughout with urine, blood and saliva tests for levels of lithium, oxytocin and THC.
"Their board and lodging and treatment will be completely free of charge.
"Some people who want to withdraw from using cannabis feel they need a break from their families and responsibilities for a while and this trial will offer them the space to concentrate on themselves for a week.
"Of cannabis users, between 10 and 20 per cent are dependent on the drug and can experience associated psychological, social or physical harms as a result.
"And of those who are dependent, about half to three-quarters will experience some uncomfortable symptoms when withdrawing, and we currently have no medications to alleviate that."
Anyone interested in finding out more about the trial can contact Dr Johnston on 1800 757 110 or jennifer.johnson@sydney.edu.au.
PEOPLE who feel their use of marijuana is problematic, and who want to stop smoking pot, are being invited to take part in a new trial at the Riverlands Drug and Alcohol Centre in Lismore.
The trial is being conducted with researchers from the University of Sydney to evaluate the safety and usefulness of the mood-stabilising medication lithium, commonly used for the management of bipolar affective disorder in the management of cannabis withdrawal.
Trial co-ordinator, Dr Jennifer Johnston, said while many pot smokers felt they could stop at will, others found they experienced withdrawal symptoms such as sleep difficulties, increased anger and aggression, irritability, nervousness and anxiety.
"Some users at the severe end of cannabis use struggle to give it up, so for them we are offering a seven-day detox at Riverlands," she said.
The project is a double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial. Neither the participants nor the medical officers will know who is receiving lithium and who is getting a placebo.
"When I first heard about this, I was a bit concerned about using lithium One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and all that," Dr Johnston admitted.
"But we will only be administering lithium in low doses for seven days it's long term, high-dosage lithium use that can be problematic for some patients. And currently we have no medications for use in cannabis withdrawal management.
"We're hoping to attract a large number of people to take part in this. During the seven days, as well as receiving lithium or a placebo, participants will have access to all our back-up services, group meetings and other activities and will be closely monitored throughout with urine, blood and saliva tests for levels of lithium, oxytocin and THC.
"Their board and lodging and treatment will be completely free of charge.
"Some people who want to withdraw from using cannabis feel they need a break from their families and responsibilities for a while and this trial will offer them the space to concentrate on themselves for a week.
"Of cannabis users, between 10 and 20 per cent are dependent on the drug and can experience associated psychological, social or physical harms as a result.
"And of those who are dependent, about half to three-quarters will experience some uncomfortable symptoms when withdrawing, and we currently have no medications to alleviate that."
Anyone interested in finding out more about the trial can contact Dr Johnston on 1800 757 110 or jennifer.johnson@sydney.edu.au.
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