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Zilos

The Cannabis Treatment Service in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta is so successful that it now has the interest of international medical experts. Dr Jon Currie has treated over 400 cannabis-dependant patients at the clinic during a 12-month trial. Withdrawal from cannabis, says Dr Currie, can be "really very difficult — they get angry, irritated, aggressive, so they often just don't stop".

One of Dr Currie's patients, Julia Norcott, was dependent on marijuana for more than 20 years, "I'd get up every morning and have to have a few cones straight away to start the day," she admits. A combination of medication and counselling have now cured her addiction. "I can say every day that I won't use it again," she says.

Western Sydney Area Health Drug & Alcohol Services developed the program in collaboration with the Salvation Army's Youthlink, and the free service began in November 2003. All patients entering the program used cannabis daily and were considered to be clinically dependent. The success rate has been tremendous with 88% of patients either stopping or significantly reducing their cannabis intake.

On the back of such positive results the state government will establish a further three clinics in NSW — at Orange in the central west, Sutherland in Sydney's south, and the Central Coast. Experts, however, hope that eventually every doctor and hospital around the country will have the same treatment available.
Case study from the clinic's files
Mr D is a 37-year-old single male, who is employed full time as a truck driver. He began smoking cannabis at age 20 and had been smoking on a regular daily basis for the past 15 years.

During the last 15 years Mr D had been unable to achieve any period of cessation, despite making made multiple attempts to stop smoking cannabis. He attributed this to the extreme restlessness and agitation that he had developed on each occasion.

Mr D was now extremely concerned about his inability to stop using cannabis, because his workplace had recently introduced a mandatory drug screening policy for all its employees.

At presentation to the Cannabis Treatment Program, Mr D was using upwards of 5 grams of cannabis each day, at a cost of approximately $500 per week. The treatment plan established for Mr D included immediate cessation of all cannabis, prescribed medications and regular clinical review sessions.

Mr D was able to achieve immediate cessation of cannabis, and reported that his mediation regimen successfully reduced the symptoms of agitation and anxiety that developed to a manageable level.

Within six weeks, Mr D had successfully ceased all medication and was able to provide his workplace with a cannabis-free urine drug screen.

At 10 weeks, Mr D remains cannabis free and is in contact with the treatment program periodically as required for clinical support.

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Jose Melendez

What complete and utter bunk.

First, most people eventually quit smoking pot without any permanent serious damage.

Second, I find it very difficult to believe anyone is regularly paying $100 per gram.

Perhaps it's because the money is different, but even in New York a gram of crip sells for between $17 and $35, and at most $65

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SacredJellybean

The article said 5 grams a day costs approx. $500 a week, not a day. That would bring it to about $71.43/day, or $14.25/gram.

Those who check themselves into this clinic sound like incredibly weak people.

Dependent, for more than 20 years? As much as a few cones, just to start the day? That's insane!

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Buzzby

The article said he was spending AUS$500 a week. That comes out to AUS$14.29/g or US$10.91/g.

I'm sure there are some people who are deeply psychologically addicted to marijuana. There are people deeply psychologically addicted to video games! It has nothing to do with the drug or the game. It has everything to do with having an addictive personality.

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yuri420

Truly is a step back for Australia. It's odd..on the west we're decriminalising weed(WA, SA) and on the east(NSW) they're starting up new clinics!

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Kannibal

Why wouldnt the clinic be successful? It is pretty easy for the majority of users to quit any time they want.

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