Cannabis (Marijuana) and our Combat Veterans
April 6, 2010One CommentDisease Treatment
afghanistan,
anxiety,
cannabis,
Chronic Pain,
combat veterans,
depression,
Dr Sean Breen,
insomnia,
Iraq,
Medical Marijuana,
post traumatic stress disorder,
PTSD,
US air force,
US army,
US marine corp,
US navy,
VA hospital
As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I have many patients who are combat veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Unfortunately the military has a ZERO tolerance towards any drug use and does not recognize cannabis as a medicine. The majority of these patients have made the decision to use medicine for one of two things:
1. Chronic pain secondary to injuries sustained while on active duty.
2. Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, Depression or Chronic Anxiety/Insomnia.
VA physicians are not allowed to discuss the use of cannabis with their patients. However there are doctors like myself who are willing to discuss this treatment option. I understand first hand what these men and women are going through. I spent 9 months in 2003 with 1st battalion 4th marines in Iraq during the initial push of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
I have already discussed in previous blogs the advantages of using cannabis to treating chronic pain. It also will help with sleep, anxiety and depression. ONE THING I DO WANT TO STRESS IS THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT PATIENTS WHO SUFFER FROM PTSD, DEPRESSION AND CHRONIC ANXIETY RECEIVE ONGOING TREATMENT FROM THE THERAPIST OR PSYCHIATRIST! Cannabis should not replace these other treatment modalities but merely compliment them.
If you are a veteran and would like to speak to a former military combat physician about the use of cannabis feel free to call me at 877-721-0047 I would be happy to speak with you.
Welcome Home.
I wanted to thank you for being a veteran who is helping all veterans with your work.
I am a southeast veteran in a non medical state.
We either have ptsd or it has us.It had me so bad that I attempted suicide 1 year ago.Part of it was because of the cocktails of perscription meds from the VA.
Using MMJ was the way I was able to function and cope with ptsd most of my adult life.
Always fearful of being arrested for doing so.I have a criminal free background and proud of having survived Southeast asia.
It has always been a dream of mine to live in California and be allowed to treat my ptsd without feeling like a criminal.
PLEASE keep up the good work you are doing for us and know that veterans far away from Claifornia apprecite it very much.
Welcome Home