For decades, prohibitionists have trotted out the tired old story that cannabis is a gateway to the use of harder drugs. Here at Harborside, we know that cannabis is actually a gateway out of addiction, because every day we hear from patients who have used it to wean themselves off of narcotic painkillers, and other dangerous pharmaceuticals--most often prescribed by their own doctors. Incredibly, when some of these patients went public with their cannabis use, they were kicked out of 12-step and NA groups that had been supporting their withdrawal process. It was then that HHC decided we had to take action to support those brave patients, and launched our own program for those of our patients dealing with dependency issues. The program, like all Harborside services, is completely free. Laine Demetria, MS, MFT, is the director of our program, and describes its main features below:

People often ask me what is "harm reduction?" I answer by way of example: harm reduction is wearing a seat belt, a helmet, a condom. All of these things reduce but do not eliminate the possibility of harm. Harm reduction is any action we take that moves us toward positive change in our lives.

Harborside's free Harm Reduction Clinical Services help patients take a look at their relationship to substances that might be problematic in their lives. This could be cannabis, tobacco, alcohol or other substances. Participants learn harm reduction strategies to apply in their life. Some patients are seeking to use medical cannabis to help them quit or reduce the use of another drug, while others seek assistance in moderation management or even abstinence. A moderation or modification plan is a patient-directed plan that works for some patients but not all. Some patients are able to create a plan that reduces the amount consumed, limit the use to certain times of day or substitute out the substance they deem harmful for one that is less problematic in their lives. Some patients desire to quit altogether. This is a medical cannabis-friendly program that attempts to support patients with substance use and misuse issues regardless of the plan they choose.

Through the course of harm reduction therapy, many patients discover that underlying issues such as depression, anxiety or trauma are the reasons why they are self-medicating. The abuse is a way of masking or regulating the intensity of their emotional turmoil. As a therapist, I work a lot with body-oriented techniques to help calm down the nervous system such that patients may become more aware of what they are doing and the choices toward empowerment that they may have. This is at the heart of harm reduction. It is a non-judgmental, gentle, patient-driven approach toward positive changes in one's life that omits an all-or-nothing philosophy.

For more info about Harborside's free services, visit www.harborsidehealthcenter.com/serv-programs or check out the white binders at reception.

Laine Demetria, MS, MFT is a somatic psychotherapist who treats substance abuse and misuse as well as process addictions. Her practice includes parents of children with chronic medical conditions as well as adult survivors of childhood abuse and illness. She has also worked with PTSD, grief and loss, disability, medical trauma, attachment parenting, adoption (including transracial adoption), alternative families, and LGBTQ issues. Ms. Demetria maintains a private practice in Albany and San Francisco. 

This Year's Cup Half Full 

The Bay Area High Times Medical Cannabis Cup returned to the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond this year. The Craneway is a beautifully restored, former Ford plant located along the waterfront, with sweeping views of the Bay--the cities of Oakland and San Francisco visible in the distance. I've been to Cannabis Cups from Amsterdam to Detroit, and Denver to Los Angeles, and this location is far and away the best. The views are truly breathtaking, and the size and layout allow ample room to breathe--even with large crowds. Combined with the best cannabis on earth, it makes for quite an event. The Cup is much more than just a competition to determine which seed companies and dispensaries have the best flowers, concentrates and edibles. There are also categories for best booth and best new product. The Cup is a trade show that grows every year, with more companies attending to represent their products and services. Glassmakers, cannabis lawyers, and clothing companies are all in attendance. The opportunity that this event gives us all to network is vital. 

Every year we debate participating. Convincing a crowd of 20-

something-year-old male 'stoner' types of the benefits of a wellness-oriented approach to cannabis is indeed a challenge--one that we face not only at Cannabis Cups but every day at Harborside. Making the argument that ALL cannabis use is contributing to your overall health, both mental and physical, often falls on deaf ears or is misunderstood. An advantage to engaging people at the Cup is that we have a captive audience as they wait their turn for our hash bar.

 

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