Well, this week was an interesting one for me as I thought about the conflict that exists at my internship site, and the conflict of policy and cannabis or alcohol. I have been aware that the inpatients in the ward, have often used cannabis, while they have been there, but was interested in how they obtained it while residing in the hospital. I have also heard at numerous ward daily meetings (average 3 times per week) that some of the inpatients on the ward had been using cannabis or drinking alcohol during leave granted or unauthorized leave (AWOL), I guess sometimes these substance have been passed through the window of the hospital bedroom, others have picked it up while they have been out on a pass. On Friday, I had three inpatients request an escort to go to the bank. I thought it was interesting that they all needed to go at the same time. It turns out that they owed money to another inpatient, who had given them some weed. When the topic came up at the ward meeting, a resident psychiatrist asked the question that I had been thinking...are there any consequences for these actions? I guess the hospital has a zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs, but if the ward followed the letter of the law, they would be kicking out individuals who may be involuntarily there or could be mentally very unwell, and thus put them more at danger to themselves or others. It is very interesting and full of conflicts and ethics and complexities that are hard to suss out and figure out. During supervision, we discussed this and talked about that the dilemma and the difficulty that the hospital staff are put in. If also is confusing to think about the message that is sent to the inpatients who do not receive any consequences or need to accept responsibility for breaking the rule. The whole thing is very complicating and difficult for this student to understand.
Here are a few articles/research that talks about cannabis and mental health. It is definitely connected in some way, and my views have changed after seeing so many individuals who experience acute mental health issues connected to cannabis, among other substances.
No comments:
Post a Comment