Are marijuana smokers afflicted with Amotivational Syndrome?The scientific jury is still out however, those in relationships with long term pot smokers the verdict is in.
Amotivational syndrome is common amongst long term marijuana smokers. Some symptoms include: increased levels of apathy, difficulty in starting new tasks, not accomplishing or not setting goals, decreased concentration, and a tendency toward introversion. Having a recreational toke once in awhile is (although still not good for you) not as harmful to your health.
Long Term Effects
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) quickly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream which then carries this chemical to the brain and to other organs in our body. In the brain THC acts on the cannabinoid receptors which kick starts cellular reactions producing the “high” experience. Cannabinoid receptors are found in various parts of the brain with the highest density being in the part of the brain that influences pleasure, memory, thoughts, concentration, sensory and time perception.
Long term effects of chronic marijuana use have shown that a person may develop increased anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and schizophrenia. Some studies indicate that some individuals may already have mild forms of these mental health illnesses and long term smoking exacerbates them.
Other problems include:
anxiety attacks or feelings of paranoia
impaired memory
problem solving skills deteriorate
lack of muscle coordination and judgment
Impairment of driving skills
A recent CTV article indicates that long term use may be linked to abnormalities in the brain that regulate emotion, memory, fear and aggression. The report indicates that the part of the brain that regulates emotion and memory was on average 12% smaller in marijuana users
Health Effects
A person’s heart rate and blood pressure increases immediately when THC reaches the heart. There is less oxygen being transported in the bloodstream resulting in vital organs of the body not receiving proper levels of oxygen in order to function properly.
Marijuana smoke contains carcinogens and is an irritant to the lungs. Marijuana contains 50% to 70% more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke. Marijuana smokers tend to inhale much deeper and hold the smoke in longer than cigarettes. This further increases damage to the lungs. Daily coughs, increased phlegm production, lung infections, and bronchitis are a few side effects from smoking marijuana or cigarettes.
Effects on Relationships
Long term marijuana smokers can experience a suppression of the production of hormones that help regulate the reproductive system. For men, decreased sperm counts and possible erectile dysfunction. Women may experience irregular menstrual cycles. These problems decrease chances to conceive a child.
For those in relationships with long time marijuana users it can be frustrating. Their partner’s lack of ambition can inhibit establishing goals as a couple or attaining goals that were set. Apathy also becomes a serious issue in many relationships.
If the partner can not have marijuana at their disposal then they tend to become very moody and irritable. They are unable to be happy unless they have marijuana to smoke.
When a smoker develops anxiety attacks, paranoia, can’t remember important things or even develops health problems as a result of a chosen life style it becomes increasingly difficult to support that partner. As the years go by, the weighted side effects of marijuana use can sink the relationship. Chronic marijuana smokers should consider harm reduction programs or cessation before it not only destroys their emotional and physical health, but their personal relationships.
Bottom line, for those whose life partners have been smoking marijuana daily for many years, they don’t need scientific data to tell them Amotivational Syndrome exists – they’re living with someone who has it.
The copyright of the article Weed Out Marijuana Use in Drug Abuse is owned by Karen Stephenson. Permission to republish Weed Out Marijuana Use in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Your right, my husband has all the signs and I know he probably has
some mental health issues because of his use of drugs Violence
goes hand in hand and we are probably at the end of our 19th year
together because I won't give him 20, things never get better when the
hurt is this habitual I deserve better and so do you
Nov 2, 2008 9:21 AM
Guest :
Your right, my husband has all the signs and I know he probably has
some mental health issues because of his use of drugs Violence
goes hand in hand and we are probably at the end of our 19th year
together because I won't give him 20, things never get better when the
hurt is this habitual I deserve better and so do you *where do I
read your posts?
Nov 20, 2008 9:37 AM
Guest :
I have spent 11 years of my life with a pot smoker and have dealt with all
of the abuse that goes along with it. I am in constant disbelief of his
behavior and how "Eveything is MY FAULT" It will never get better
becouse he does not own or acknowledge his problems. Someone elses turn,
I've enjoyed all that I can stomach!!
Nov 25, 2008 9:24 AM
Guest :
some clients have paranoia and still deny the effects and continue to use
it. Marijuana appears to change the persons coping skills and personality.
Traits that are hidden for years become reality for the person
Nov 25, 2008 8:07 PM
Guest :
The mother of my children, whom I've lived with for 16 years, is a chronic
user and her average consumption now is a 1\4 once per week! She's real
tiny to begin with too and weighs 75lbs on a good day yet she can sit and
smoke joint after joint of some of the most potent weed I've ever seen! Her
memory is seriously messed, she's has no real motivation to do anything
constructive for herself or others, can't plan anything ahead of time, is
very apathetic towards our relationship or even sex and the list goes on.
Sure I like a puff once and a while too if the situation warrants (ie:
party, concert etc) but I certainly don't crave it like she does and really
do wish the stuff would just get out of my life. It's so sad to see what
she's doing to herself and there appears to be nothing I can do except sit
and watch her toke herself into oblivion and do my best to keep her from
influencing our kids. Those knobs out there in the world that say pot is
good for you are seriously screwed up! I've lived with a chronic user for
16 years and I've seen the damage first hand...it's not pretty folks!
Nov 25, 2008 8:08 PM
Guest :
The mother of my children, whom I've lived with for 16 years, is a chronic
user and her average consumption now is a 1\4 once per week! She's real
tiny to begin with too and weighs 75lbs on a good day yet she can sit and
smoke joint after joint of some of the most potent weed I've ever seen! Her
memory is seriously messed, she's has no real motivation to do anything
constructive for herself or others, can't plan anything ahead of time, is
very apathetic towards our relationship or even sex and the list goes on.
Sure I like a puff once and a while too if the situation warrants (ie:
party, concert etc) but I certainly don't crave it like she does and really
do wish the stuff would just get out of my life. It's so sad to see what
she's doing to herself and there appears to be nothing I can do except sit
and watch her toke herself into oblivion and do my best to keep her from
influencing our kids. Those knobs out there in the world that say pot is
good for you are seriously screwed up! I've lived with a chronic user for
16 years and I've seen the damage first hand...it's not pretty folks!
Nov 27, 2008 9:20 AM
Guest :
I've been with my spouse on & off for close to 15 years and I think if
he participated in teamwork in our relationship as much as he defends his
dope we would have had a chance...sooooo tired of the mood swings!Throwing
in the towel, shame on me for not doing it sooner! A non user should never
live with a chronic user!
Jan 14, 2009 11:47 AM
Guest :
My husband is also a pot smoker, recreational when we met, but recently
within at least the last year, it is everyday. I am a physician and don't
do any drugs!!! He runs a small retail store we own, which is of course
doing poorly in this economy. So, I suspect he takes money from the store
to buy the stuff, but I have NO IDEA how much money he spends. It amazes me
how he gets defensive and somehow it all becomes my fault. If I try to talk
calmly to him about it, it deteriorates because of his anger, defensiveness
and then avoidance, which makes me angry and hurt. I can't take it but
don't know what to do. I stand to loose half my assets here in our
community property state if I leave him (it is also a no fault state), so I
would get totally screwed and probably have to pay alimony to HIM> Any
advice would help.
Jan 23, 2009 9:51 AM
Guest :
THERE ARE SOME OF US THAT CAN HANDLE THE SMOKING AND WHAT ONE WOULD CALL EVERYDAY LIFE WOKING PAYING FOR MY HOUSE AND KEEPING MY WIFE VERY HAPPY. AT LEAST THATS WHAT SHE SAYS.
Feb 2, 2009 12:33 PM
Guest :
oh my this article is so on the mark. Yes. Living with a person who is a
daily user is hell at times. Apathy forgets where things are , moody, it is
a nightmnare at times. Please keep up the good work as peoplke who smoke
pot think they have NOOOOOOOOO effect on their loved ones!!!!
Feb 3, 2009 10:09 AM
Guest :
I myself am a long term user, I'm 23 and I've been smoking since i was 14,
i smoked every single day. I did have a 2 year break but other then that i
smoked everyday, i felt every single one of those symptoms especially
anxiety attacks. While i used i also experimented with cocaine, magic
mushrooms, salvia and was addicted to cigarettes for about 5 years. I
recently just quit smoking pot, for i found myself alone and to this day
still have never loved or let myself be loved. Pot filled that void, but i
never really realized it and now i let the girl of my dreams fall threw my
figures and i fear the worst. When your lost in life, life seems bliss but
once you become aware you realize the hole you dug and its one hell of a
road ahead, a lonely one too. Using it from time to time is alright, i have
many friends that live a full life and they smoke allot, but when you start
to smoke it alone and daily, you have a problem.
Feb 9, 2009 12:05 PM
Guest :
on the news today they are talking about how (men) heavy pot smokers really
increase their risk of testicular cancer...not by a little....by a lot!!!
Watch out guys!!!!
Feb 20, 2009 9:33 AM
Guest :
My 52 year old boyfriend has been what I am ASSUMING a long time pot
smoker. For a year and a half he lied and said he wasnt smoking when he
was. He said it didnt matter because I couldnt tell, so what was the big
deal. Not once but TWICE he drove my car across state lines with me in it,
with pot in the car. He said I was over reacting when I accused him of
jepordizing me. He was sneaking pot in the bathroom, wherever he could.
And lieing.. constantly lieing that he wasnt smoking. He would twist
everything around and tell me it was ME being paranoid and over
exergerating. He also would fly into a rage and scream horrible things
when I approached the subject of him smoking and lieing about it. I
finally left. Three months later he contacted me and said he wanted to
work things out. I am now trying, but I can not get past always wondering
if he is still lieing, still smoking pot and still basing a relationship on
lies. Is it possible for a man to truly change like that. He said my
leaving was the wake up call he needed and if he DID smoke, he would tell
me. (My biggest beef was I felt I deserved to know how much and how often
he smoked, so I could decide if it was something I could live with or not.)
Do I believe this man? Can someone of this age, who has lied so much in
the past, truly change? Or is he just really really good at making
excuses? Can anyone tell me WHAT the tell tale signs are? His eyes are
always bloodshot and they are almost black, so I cant see his pupils. What
are some other signs? Do your hands shake? Do you become distant? What?
Could he have decided I was what he wanted more than dope, or is this
probably yet another waste of my time ? I could REALLY use some
experienced opinions in this area. Please help....
Mar 3, 2009 5:06 PM
Guest :
S.W.E.D Sounds like you girls just married some messed up fellers
because ive been smoking ganga since i was 14 and as far as im concerned
marijuanna isent healthy but its better then smoking ciggarets and drinking
booze . and actually most peopl are vary good drivers when they smoke
pot your way more careful .
Mar 14, 2009 7:04 PM
Guest :
I recently left a chronic marijuana user... She seemed to be the woman of
my dreams, great personality, beautiful, and a wonderful family. When we
first met I was aware of her use of marijuana as a recreation and it was
few and far between. Then she started to smoke it every day! She would sit
outside by herself at first to hide it then she didn't care who was arond
when she lit-up. She started to spend less time with me and her son. For a
while the only contact I ever had with her was in the morning and late at
night. Her son started to become out of control due to her never being
there for him and I became his only emotional outlet. God I miss them.
There were times I tried to ask her about her increased use and she
would get angry and just shut me out for hours upon end. It got to the
point that she would blow-up at the slightest things and wouldn't talk to
me at all. I Finally had to leave her and her son... the hardest thing I've
ever done in my life. I love them so much and I would love to see them, but
I don't want to go through that turmoil again. She swears she has no
problem and she's no different than before, what denial! I fear for her. I
fear for her son. Marijuana destroys relationships, I know. Seen it first
hand. I'm still feeling the effects of her apathy and denial. Users of
drugs have no idea that they are hurting the ones around them. Especially
their loved ones that worry about them constantly. All I can do now is pray
that someday she will quit and be the mother that her son needs.
May 12, 2009 8:31 AM
Guest :
Well...i am a high school student with a problem. i used everyday. i use to
be a kid who always use to say that i would never use and i was always so
confident in myself but once i was introduced to bud things just went
downhill. at the time it fixed the problems i faced in my life, or so i
thought. all it did was fill the void deep within. i found a way to fake my
happpiness. everything is fine when i blaze and it seemed as if blazin had
become my comfort zone. i started at the end of my freshman year as a
celebration thing. then i smoked once, twice, 3,4,5,6,7 times....which
ultimately led to EVERYDAY until the end of my senior year. After selling
is when i realized i needed to quit because i am putting my life as well as
others at jeapordy. today is the 12th of may, i have been sober for one
day...trying to get thru day two
Jul 12, 2009 5:43 PM
Guest :
sad stories. i went out on a couple of dates with a chronic user, but
backed out before it really went anywhere. and how glad i am. marijuana culture is glamorized, and i find we buy into it too often. we
think that being a "stoner" is cool or hip. well, i consider
myself a bit of a stoner (a once or twice a week user) but when people
start smoking everyday it becomes ridiculous.
this article is
also making me paranoid about the menstrual cycle. it really reduces your
chances of having a baby? i've experienced some irregular periods since
starting to weekly smoke.. but I've heard that one or two a year is
normal..?
Aug 2, 2009 11:46 PM
Guest :
ok look, weed is not a bad drug compared to booze or cok or something like
that, but if you abuse it like, like anything, then itll mess you up, hell
if you abuse cheesburgers itll mess you up but they dont illegalize them my brother is a serious stoner, and hes straight killed, he doesnt do his
work and is lazy and whatnot, but i toke like once a week or something and
im fine, i have a good relationship with my friends, parents, and most
other people and i still live up to my responsibilties, so people cant go
around saying all weed is a horrible drug cuz its not, just abusing it,
like everything else makes it bad
:P
Aug 10, 2009 9:48 AM
Guest :
Every day weed smoking is clearly not good for you, This year, after
smoking high grade weed practically every day for 10 years (and smoking
cannabis irregularly for 10 years prior to that), I made a conserted effort
to smoke less weed. My life has opened up greatly and I now enjoy my
existence a great deal more. I smoke 2-3 times a week now (I've given up
smoking tobacco so I smoke less weed when I do. The UK weed culture of
smoking weed with tobacco clearly makes people more reliant on both
substances unlike in, say, the USA where weed is smoked pure) and tend to
smoke only with my girlfriend whilst out walking in the forest, watching a
film, listening to music or indulging in other recreational past times. I've re-discovered my enjoyment of weed now that I've cut down and feel
much better about myself now I smoke less. The romanticism of the
"stoner", as someone else pointed out, is a very outdated notion.
Being a "stoner" is more akin to being a village idiot who's
unaware of the situation he's in/ how others see him. I know a couple of
people who smoke every day to no ill effect but most I know that smoke
every day suffer from a lack of motivation, cynicism and paranoia. I, too,
have suffered along the years from these things which is why I've cut down
as much as I have. Like any drug, we are the problem, not the drug.
We choose when we indulge in them and it is our will power/ curiosity that
creates our own situation. Cannabis, like alcohol, has positive and
negative effects. I'd rather be disciplined and smoke as and when than
religiously. The cult of the obsessive weed smoker is the cult of the
dullard. I am happy to have broken from this situation but am also happy to
have the approach meaning I can and still enjoy smoking weed on a purely
indulgent, not compulsive, level. Cannabis isn't the demon it's made
out to be; it's the way that society and we ourselves operate that turns it
into something negative.
