Marijuana and Schizophrenia: another view
The latest fad in schizophrenia theory: marijuana caused it. Yet another finger to point, to create the illusion that it is somehow the "fault" of the person who has the illness. Here's an intersting article that tells another side of the story: Marijuana and Schizophrenia: Cause or Therapy?
De. Phil Leveque begins with these words: "This story is engendered by an article in TIME Magazine Feb. 21, 2011 entitled Pot and Schizophrenia: A Dangerous Mix. To put it mildly, TIME is full of crap and so are the authors of the medical article from the University of New South Wales in Australia. It states they reviewed 83 studies and found that POT smokers who developed psychotic disorders did so 2.7 years before non-smokers. The medical article is very suspect and I will try to explain why."
I wrote to Dr.Leveque:
"Thank you! Finally, another view to the newly-popular 'marijuana causes schizophrenia' theory. As the mother of a son with schizophrenia, educator with NAMI, and the author of a memoir that we hope will spread understanding and hope re mental illness, I applaud you for your article in the Salem-News.
It has been my understanding that my son began to smoke pot as a reaction to his illness, not the other way around. Schizophrenia is nobody’s fault. Many who don’t know better will grab at any explanation so that they feel we have some control over who “gets it” and who is spared. The only thing I know for sure is that early detection and treatment can help avoid psychosis, and therefore provide a better prognosis for recovery. But my son did not 'cause' his own illness, through marijuana use or anything else. Thank you for refuting the Australia study.
If you need any comments from a Mom/author who has been through it – and whose son is currently living a full (and clean/sober) life, despite his illness, please feel free to contact me.
Thanks again,
Randye
Randye Kaye
author: Ben Behind His Voices: One Family's Journey from the Chaos of Schizophrenia to Hope(Rowman & Littlefield, summer 2011)
