Our longtime colleague friend and April sponsor Joe Considine, along with John Puls, LCSW will update us on cannabis abuse research including the use of the Marchman Act to force involuntary treatment, pulling many back from the brink of cannabis-induced psychosis.
Overview
Cannabis is the most used substance nationwide after tobacco and alcohol (NIH. Approximately 16 million Americans report regularly using cannabis (NIH). The vast majority of cannabis users begin using during their teenage years (NIH). Problems have arisen with the broad legalization of pot, including a failure to account for increased toxicity and the dangerous effects on early teens and young adults. Rapid increases in anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis-related hospitalizations from cannabis are causing alarm.
Cannabis has been shown to increase early-onset schizophrenia by 3 years. As well, the spectrum of psychotic disorders, including schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, and substance-induced psychotic disorder have been stark and concerning. Cannabis is found to be linked to the onset of bipolar disorder with psychotic features and increases in the onset of symptoms of mania.
Our Presenters
Joe Considine has practiced law in South Florida since 1983. His practice is limited to addiction-related law including the Marchman Act and family law. Joe has handled hundreds of Marchman Act cases in various circuits in Florida.
Joe works extensively with families whose loved ones have substance abuse and mental health problems. He is the author of many articles on the Marchman Act and lectures throughout Florida on the Act and other substance abuse-related issues. Joe is committed to educating mental health professionals, the legal community, and the public about the efficacy of this Act and has presented to statewide conferences of mental health professionals, treatment centers, and civic organizations. Joe’s articles are easily accessible on Joe’s website: joeconsidinelaw.com.
Joe has been a member of the Board of Directors of The Fern House in West Palm Beach, a residential rehabilitation facility for indigent men with substance use disorders, for more than 25 years. Joe also enjoys assisting and participating with the Max Planck Institute For Neuroscience in Jupiter, Florida as a member of the Brain Trust.
Joe Considine is a native of Palm Beach County, lives in West Palm Beach, has three adult children, and loves painting, mountain biking, and tending to his butterfly garden. His website is: www.joeconsidinelaw.com Telephone is 561-655-8081 Email is joe@joeconsidinelaw.com.
John Puls, LCSW began working with individuals suffering from substance use disorder and acute mental illness in 2013 in a support staff role. During this time, John completed his bachelor’s degree in social work from Florida Atlantic University while working as a case manager. John was accepted to the advanced standing master’s in a social work program at Florida Atlantic University and is currently a licensed clinical social worker. While working as a primary therapist in a residential substance use disorder facility, John became a master's level certified addiction professional (MCAP) through the Florida Certification Board. Additionally, John is passionate about educating social work students and serves as an adjunct professor at the School of Social Work at Florida Atlantic University. John owns a private psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and case management practice in Boca Raton, FL. john.puls@full-lifecc.com (708) 655-1863
Cannabis Use Disorder Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder Learning Objectives
