Meidcal 420 and HIV-AIDS
THC, the main chemical component in medical cannabis, is a natural antiemetic and can help battle chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). CINV can cause patients to stop much needed treatment due to the intolerable side effects. Although recent advances have resulted in new medications to fight CINV, some patients prefer using a more natural way to treat these symptoms. Many Marijuana Medicine Evaluation Centers patients report improvement in their quality of life with less CINV when they use medical marijuana before, during, and after their chemotherapy treatments.
When I first discovered we would be doing a presentation on gays and lesbians with drug and alcohol problems, I thought to myself, 'This should be interesting.' I assumed it would be incredibly difficult to gather information on a topic so foreign to me. To my surprise, I became very interested and found it difficult to stop reading and researching. Overall, homosexuals and heterosexuals alike can become addicted to any substance over long periods of use. The unique differences really depend on the complex circumstances in the lives of homosexuals; factors that straight people don't encounter because they're straight. As Social and Human Service workers, I feel that awareness, understanding, and education on both the homosexual piece and substance abuse is critical in being truly effective helpers and effective citizens of our community. It is my idea to enlighten the reader of both subjects.
Homosexuality is not a choice. Whether it is a genetic make-up or environmental has been long disputed. In fact the difference in opinion began in the 1800's in Germany by Magnus Hirschfeld who formed the first gay rights movement. In this same country during WWII, homosexuals in concentration camps were identified by a mandatory necklace. Now the inverted pink triangle is worn by many in remembrance of those who died in such horrific conditions. (Marcus) Imagine being singled out and despised by thousands. Tortured, killed, and belittled simply because of being 'different'. Time has passed yet we still see the same hate crimes going on every day, and we're not Nazis and this isn't WWII. The reason why one is homosexual becomes less important when one thinks about it.
Homosexuals are as human as everyone else in the world. The only difference is truly the amount of stereotyping and discrimination that goes hand in hand with gays and lesbians being open. They face multitudes of acceptance issues from everyone around them. This includes their family, employers, friends, priests, and even perfect strangers on the street, treating the homosexual person in a completely different manner than they would have before coming out the closet. People don't understand the concept of being gay or lesbian and most aren't afraid to admit that they wish not to understand it. It may be human nature, based on the fact we evolved as woman and man for thousands of years, or simply because we are ignorant and do not want to be educated on the topic. Either way, the gay or lesbian person is a person who is attracted to a partner of the same sex.
GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender) work, play and relax in much of the same ways straight people do. They aren't gay on purpose, it is not a phase that one will grow out of, and it's definitely not contagious. GLBT are not all carrying AIDS or HIV. They cannot go to psychotherapists to take away and remodel their behaviors to “cure” them of being gay. It is no longer a mental disease in the DSM-IV. (Marcus) They don't flaunt their gayness just to show off, either. As someone once said,” Why would I choose to be something that would horrify my parents, get me fired from my job, and allow me to get beat up and nearly killed by strangers on the street?” Get the idea. Stereotypes are everywhere and I could spend all day just touching the tip of the iceberg with them. My point is simply that education and awarness is key to having a better understanding of the GLBT crowd.
Now getting into the substance abuse part of it is a little interesting and hard to define. Most people will become addicted to any substance if they use it enough. I smoke cigarettes and although I have tried to quit for many years without success, I have smoked for half of my lifetime. I am only 29. So what does that say? Dis I choose to get addicted? The answer is no, of course not. But what is common is the experiment of a drug, and its rather quick addiction process. Many GLBT find it hard to come out of the closet, meet partners, and deal with the stressors that many of us don't have to. I started smoking to be cool, which then lead to a need, and lastly an addiction to a substance that I thought was only 'social'. Environment, inner feelings, life cycles play an important role in the addictions of many gay or lesbian individuals.
For instance, the 'gay bars' are a commonly accepted place for GLBT. (Young)Ever notice that there are not many social clubs, meeting areas, or gatherings solely based for homosexuals? It should be no surprise then to note that there are 83% lesbians and 68% gay males during adolescence who use alcohol. (Forney)This is when most people start to identify themselves as homosexuals or at least experiment with the idea. Substances are also common in bars, such as marijuana, opiates, and pills, which relaxes a person. He or she can mingle more freely, while others just feel more attractive. The rate of drug use is above 40% in both males and females. (Forney)
There are clubs and organizations, but the mainstream public is not ready to accept a great deal of them quite yet. PFLAG (a support group), Gay Pride Marches( in June across the country since 1960's), and AA (open alcoholic support groups) are among the most common of groups and marches. Perhaps in some states, such as New York and California, society is willing to allow social settings in great numbers, but I don't see many in Bangor, Maine. In fact last voting season, when we were asked to vote on Gay Marriage, bumper stickers got as bad as the city's thoughts on Bush! However, gay bars welcome their visitors and allow them to feel familiar and not as judged. The down side to that is many people become addicted as a result.
Another interesting aspect of substance abuse is the fact that because men and women usually do not settle down into a marriage and decide to carry and give birth to children, most people do not stop their drug and alcohol use and abuse at age 30 as most of us do. For instance, Mary is twenty eight years old and her and her husband have always been social drinkers. Every weekend they hold football and basketball parties at their home, inviting many friends, and ultimately have a great time. They decide to conceive. They have been married for three years, and now is the time. Mary stops drinking and her husband decides to have a party once a month at their home instead of weekly.
Now, where would the gay or lesbian fit into this scenario. The gay couple will not be married, cannot carry a baby for nine months in the womb, and friends may not even exist in some cases. The general reason why some people grow out of drinking is because life almost demands them to. Although there are some women who continue to use while pregnant, I like to think many stop for the sake of their child and settle down into parenthood; but not the gay couple, or the lesbian couple.
Lastly, it's no wonder that homosexuals use drugs to musk over their pain. The feelings and perpetuated ideas of gays or lesbians that children face in school and from their own parents is horrendous. I cannot imagine growing up as a lesbian and hearing my mother say hateful things about other homosexuals in non chelate way. Also, the boys hear things all the time about 'faggots' and 'homos.' I don't believe anyone would be able to hide themselves from the world in such a way and for so long without turning to drugs and alcohol to elevate some of the negativity and twist of false identity.
A wise man once said, “The difference of what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve all the problems in the world.” And I would have to agree with Gandhi. If we as people in this huge world can become a little more understanding and a lot more educated, discriminations, judgements, and many of this planet's worries would cease. I hope I can change the minds of all who read this; as I have changed my own.
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