How widespread is marijuana abuse?
• Marijuana Glossary • Marijuana Index What treatment options exist? Behavioral interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational incentives (i.e., providing vouchers for goods or services to patients who remain abstinent) have shown efficacy in treating marijuana dependence. Although no medications are currently available, recent discoveries about the workings of the cannabinoid system offer promise for the development of medications to ease withdrawal, block the intoxicating effects of marijuana, and prevent relapse. The latest treatment data indicate that in 2006 marijuana was the most common illicit drug of abuse and was responsible for about 16 percent (289,988) of all admissions to treatment facilities in the United States. Marijuana admissions were primarily male (73.8%), White (51.5%), and young (36.1% were in the 15 to 19 age range). Those in treatment for primary marijuana abuse had begun use at an early age: 56.2% had abused it by age 14 and 92.5% had ab
