David A Gross, MD, DLFAPA, PA

Since the cocaine scourge of the ’70s and ’80s and the ongoing tragedy of the opiate epidemic, the American public has become painfully aware of the societal impact of addiction. Because of the prevalence and lethality of fentanyl-laced opiate overdoses almost everyone knows of a family that has lost a loved one. And despite all the time, effort and money invested in eradicating tobacco we now have to confront the growing addiction to nicotine through the expanding use of nicotine…

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As a practicing psychiatrist on the front line of treating patients with drug abuse problems I find myself totally befuddled by the current nationwide movement to make the “prescription” of the marijuana plant legal for a variety of medical ailments. To make matters worse, it appears that the medical marijuana movement is a veiled attempt at eventually legalizing the use of marijuana. Please don’t get me wrong, I am not opposed to the development of the active ingredients of the…

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I decided to write this piece after seeing yet another young patient suffering from a psychotic state directly related to regular use of marijuana (MJ). To see a capable, bright young person become so deeply disturbed because of marijuana effects is troubling to say the least. This individual had lost complete contact with reality and had to withdraw from his life to the safety of his family. Fortunately, many cases recover but some do not. Recovery can be a slow…

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