Marijuana Use Worsens Depression

The Office of National Drug Control Policy released a study in May 2008 showing that using marijuana can worsen depression. Self-medication occurs when teens use marijuana to help relieve symptoms, to relieve stress or to cope. However, recent studies show that:
1) weekly marijuana use doubles a teen's risk for anxiety or depression;
2) depressed teens are twice as likely as peers to abuse marijuana;
3) using marijuana can cause depression and other illnesses.

The majority of teens who feel depressed are not getting the medical attention that they need. Parents need to be vigilant in monitoring their teen's behavior and mood swings in order to distinguish normal teen behavior from situations which require intervention. This also requires proper monitoring of use of substances by the teenager.