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Britney Forde

Dean Leonard

English 1201.507

28 March 2020

Depression and obsession

In one's lifetime they are faced with having to become an adult and transition into the real

world. People face different battles such as: identity issues, alcohol, drugs, depression, college,

and many more. My topic will interest my intended audience because all people that are

transitioning into adulthood have dealt with some sort of battle. My struggle was partying, which

came with drinking and other challenges. I also struggled with anxiety and depression. With that

I look back on moments and wonder if my decision to party, drink, and staying out late for

countless hours could be the cause of my setbacks or depression. I did some research on the

effects of drugs and alcohol, and if it helps or worsens depression and my research led me to an

interesting discovery. People that drink alcohol or smoke weed have a higher risk of depression

because the drug is only temporary. The chemicals affect the brain in a way that one can become

dependent on it. This paper will explain the relationship between alcohol consumption,

marijuana, and depression.

Honey, fruit juice, and fermented grains were used to make alcohol for thousands of

years rolling back to B.C times. In the sixteenth century, alcohol was called spirits and it was
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widely used for medical purposes. Eventually in the mid eighteenth century, in Great Britain, the

consumption of gin increased and alcoholism became widespread. During the nineteenth century

attitudes towards alcohol consumption changed (academic.oup.com). This led to alcohol

prohibition in the 1920’s. Speakeasies and the use of alcohol was roaring. Once the law was

passed the alcohol situation actually got worse and by 1933 the prohibition was cancelled.

(Archives.gov) Alcohol is classed as a ‘sedative hypnotic’ drug. In high doses it can act as a

depressant to the central nervous system; however, in low doses it can be a stimulant. Drinking

too much alcohol in one serving can lead to drowsiness, respiratory depression, coma, and/or

death. Every subject has a counterargument, just like every drug has a counter act. For alcohol

the next big counteract drug is Marijuama.

Furthermore, Marijuana, also known as cannabis, derives from the hemp plant. Hemp

plant originally developed in Central Asia and was later introduced to Africa, America, and

Europe. The plant grew very fast, was easy to cultivate, and had many uses. The hemp plant

was grown in the colonial parts of America in the early 1600s. The hemp fiber was very useful

in many ways. The seeds were used in food, religious ceremonies, and healing practices. The

early hemp plant is known to have low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (Carl Sagan, 2019).

This is the chemical responsible for giving marijuana it’s “mind altering effects”. Marijuana has

both mental and physical effects on the body. Marijuana causes the feeling of euphoria, mood

changes, a heightened sense of perception, and increases appetite. Scientists later found out that

the THC in marijuana was the source of its medical properties(ncbi.gov). TCH also acts on the

part of the sensory brain to lessen nausea and promote hunger. The FDA has approved medical

use of two drugs with THC to create a pill form, Marinol and Syndros(FDA.gov). These drugs
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are used to treat nausea and loss of appetite in chemo and AIDs patients. Marijuana affects

people in different ways, after consumption some people may have a false sense of happiness

because they are “high,” others may experience anxiety, fear, or panic. Negative effects are

more prevalent in people who abuse marijuana. These factors are also believed to cause

depression after long term use.

A study was conducted in Colorado that compared the relationship between people who

used canabiases and their level of anxiety and depression. The participants were undergrads from

Colorado State University and they were assessed based on levels of exposure to recreational

cannabis. Each participant also had two measures of mood assessment, the Center for

Epidemiology studies on Depression scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. An analysis on

the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale showed high scores for depressive

symptoms related to casual cannabis use. The results of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory

showed no relationship.

Furthermore in the early B.C’s depression was discussed to be a spiritual rather than a

physical or mental condition. The idea was that depression was caused by demons and evil

spirits. The treatment methods were thought to be beating, starvation, and physical restraints. Not

everyone thought depression was caused by demons and evil spirits. Ancient greek and roman

doctors believed that depression was a biological and psychological illness. To treat the illness

the doctors used therapeutic methods such as: gymnastics, diets, music, baths, massages,

medication, and much more(​Nancy Schimelpfening​ , 2020). In the 1950’s and 1960’s doctors

divided depression into subtypes, neurotic and reactive. Neuroticism was developed from within.
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Depression was believed to be born from biological family members. Reactive was depression

that can be developed from sudden change such as: a big move, a death, or a life changing event.

Today the topics mental health and depression have skyrocketed the audience's attention and

there are plenty of ways to manage and cope with the illness.

Furthermore, all drugs leave your system at some point. Some drugs take longer than

others and have a more negative impact. Mentally some people think that drinking, smoking,

using heroin, snorting, or simply just swallowing a drug can cure or suppress depression.

Unfortunately, sometimes it can make it worse. Think of it as when kids get a sugar high, they

eat a bunch of candy, jump up and down, scream, and run around. Then all of their energy

crashes and burns at the end. The same happens with drugs and alcohol. Speaking from my

personal experience when recovering from being drunk, I remember feeling sick to my stomach

and gross. When I am in the moment of recapturing from a marijuana high, I always feel tired the

next day. I remember feeling extremely exhausted so much so that I didn't even want to get out

of bed. It would take me until 5pm to finally get out of bed, and even then I was only getting up

to take an shower or feed myself. These after feelings are caused by chemical effects caused on

the brain after a day's use.

Therefore, there are short term and long term effects due to an overload consumption of

alcohol or weed. Potential short term effects could consist of dizziness, nausea, emotional mood

swings, and more( Daniel K, 2018 ) After one finds themself in a habit of continuous use and

abuse of these drugs the long term effects start, such as: shrinkage in brain volume, memory loss,

tolerance, and more(USA.gov, 2004). All of these symptoms can lead to even more symptoms,
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one potentially being depression. In the stages of the long term effects dependency begins to

grow. There is no research study that has proven that marijuana can lead people to grow an

dependency on it; however, alcohol can become an addiction. If someone can have withdrawal

symptoms, such as: vomiting, sweating, fatigue, and more from a drug; That person is likely

addicted and dependent on it to physically function ( Doing their daily routine, getting up,

brushing their teeths, etc. )

Drugs can also affect the way people act and think. Stated on a better health channel,

“Different types of drugs affect your body in different ways, and the effects associated with

drugs can vary from person to person. How a drug affects an individual is dependent on a variety

of factors including body size, general health, the amount and strength of the drug, and whether

any other drugs are in the system at the same time. It is important to remember that illegal drugs

are not controlled substances, and therefore the quality and strength may differ from one batch to

another. Drugs can have short-term and long-term effects. These effects can be physical and

psychological, and can include dependency. You may act differently, feel differently and think

differently if you have taken drugs. And you may struggle to control your actions and thoughts.

You might begin to use drugs without thinking about any harm to your body. You might think

drugs won't become a problem because you are only a casual user. The more you take a drug, the

more likely you are to build up a tolerance to its effects. This can lead to the need to take larger

doses to obtain the effects of the drug. For this reason, evidence suggests that after prolonged

use, many drugs can cause dependence. Drug dependence can quickly begin to affect your

psychological and physical health, and can also affect your work and social life.
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It is important to remember that there is no safe level of drug use. Be careful when taking any

kind of drug.” This website is stating that there are many factors that can affect a person during

drug and alcohol use. The drug, the amount, body weight, and more.

Rethink.org allows people to see how drinking and smoking can affect mental health as

well. It declares “Some people with a mental illness have a difficult relationship with alcohol.

Alcohol is legal, which means it is easier to get. It can make the feelings of some mental health

issues feel worse, and for some people it could cause their mental health to relapse if they have

struggled in the past. The long-term effects of alcohol also depend on how much you drink, and

how regularly you drink it. If you drink too much on a regular basis then you could cause

yourself serious physical and mental harm. Drinking may also make it more difficult for you to

recover from your mental illness, and may reduce your quality of life.” “Cannabis is one of the

most commonly used drugs in England. According to one study, about 6.5 per cent of people

aged 16-59 measured had used it in the last year. This was around 2.1 million people. Among

16-24 year olds in the study, around 15.8 percent had used it in the last year. Some people take

cannabis because it makes them feel relaxed or happy, but it can also make you feel anxious or

feel paranoid. Some people may experience things that aren't real. This is a sign of drug-induced

psychosis. Some studies have shown that the risk of psychosis may be higher if you: use

cannabis for a long time, use it frequently, or use ‘high-strength’ cannabis, like skunk.” This

demonstrates how people can use alcohol or drugs to have it heighten their moods yet, it ends

worse then how they originally started.

Too many people are smoking marijuana or drinking alcohol and the numbers increase

rapidly throughout the years ​https://www.samhsa.gov/​ states: “​The 2018 National Survey on

Drug Use and Health reports that 139.8 million Americans age 12 or older were past month

alcohol users, 67.1 million people were binge drinkers in the past month, and 16.6 million were

heavy drinkers in the past month.” “2018 NSDUH data indicates that 43.5 million Americans

aged 12 or older, 15.9 percent of the population, used marijuana in the past year. Approximately

4.4 million people aged 12 or older in 2018 had a marijuana use disorder in the past year (2018

NSDUH).”

Some ways to help a loved one or yourself in a situation where drugs and alcohol are a

problem is to communicate, lead by example, be available, and set boundaries. Talking to the

person can help them or yourself realize that there is a problem that needs to be fixed. This helps

break the denial. Leading by example will show them and yourself that there are other ways to

cope and solve a problem. Being available will give the person and yourself someone to talk to in

a moment of need, and setting boundaries won’t give you or them all the freedom to do whatever

you/they want. This is all clearly stated on psychcentral.com.

In conclusion, studies reveal that people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol and

frequently smoke marijuana develop dependency and thus are at high risk for depression due to

the effect they have on the brain. The relationship between marijuana use and its effect on mood

is complex. Not only does doing these things affect the mind but it also harms the body in the

process. A little high or buzz won’t take away the underlying pain one is going through. In other

words people with an addiction problem should seek help. In total, data suggests that further
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research should be conducted to give a better understanding of the effect of marijuana on one's

mood and depression.

WorkCited

“A Brief History of Alcohol & Alcoholic Beverages - Drug-Free World.” ​Foundation for

a Drug-Free World​, ​www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/alcohol/a-short-history.html​.

Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D. “What the Research Says.” ​Mayo Clinic,​ Mayo Foundation for

Medical Education and Research, 4 Dec. 2018,

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/marijuana-and-depre

ssion/faq-20058060​.

“Marijuana and Depression.” ​HeadsUpGuys,​ 25 Feb. 2020,

headsupguys.org/marijuana-and-depression/.

“On Drinking, Smoking and Depression.” ​Mental Help On Drinking Smoking and

Depression Comments​, ​www.mentalhelp.net/blogs/on-drinking-smoking-and-depression/​.

Schimelpfening, Nancy. “Understanding the Complex Relationship of Depression and Marijuana

Use.” ​Verywell Mind,​ Verywell Mind, 24 Feb. 2020,

www.verywellmind.com/faq-marijuana-and-depression-1065247​.

Watkins, Meredith. “Alcohol and Depression: What Is the Connection?” ​American Addiction

Centers​, americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/depression.

“What Is Alcohol?” ​What Is Alcohol? | Alcohol.org.nz​,

www.alcohol.org.nz/alcohol-its-effects/about-alcohol/what-is-alcohol​.
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Department of Health & Human Services. “How Drugs Affect Your Body.” ​Better

Health Channel​, Department of Health & Human Services, 16 Oct. 2017,

www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/How-drugs-affect-your-body​.

Allison.bradbury. (2020, February 4). Find Help: ATOD. Retrieved from

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/atod