Discussion of Alfred Flarsheim's Article, The Psychological Meaning of the Use of Marijuana and LSD in One Case

Let me start first with an observation that in Japan we have very few cases of addiction to marijuana or LSD as in the United States. In my opinion, this cannot be explained by the fact that Japan lags behind the United States in most social fashions. In fact it is doubtful whether this type of addiction will ever catch on with Japanese people. The most prevalent form of drug addiction among them is the addiction to barbiturates or other sedatives which are used mainly for the effect to free one's propensity for violent action from inhibition. Japanese people are not so enthusiastic for altering the consciousness by means of drugs simply for its own sake. The only exception so far was the widespread use of amphetamine among youths in post-war years. But this was a product of social chaos and moral collapse following the defeat. It was drastically curtailed when the government took preventive measures such as the ban on sale and production of the drug.

The American girl in Dr. Flarsheim's paper was adventurous enough to seek the “expansion of consciousness” by marijuana and to overcome a “bad trip” once had by LSD by repeating the dangerous experience. There is a certain aggressiveness in her behavior, which does not necessarily contradict her professed distaste of all that smacks of violence and also of Blacher's finding that manifest aggression is lacking in those addicted to marijuana and LSD. Her aggressiveness or, to put it in better terms, her drive toward independence comes out in other situations,

too. As the author points out, her guilt about her parents' un-happiness presumes a responsibility and power on her part to control the parents' feelings. She terminated treatment voluntarily when she achieved a “good trip” by LSD, as it made her confident to leave her family and live independently.

This show of aggressiveness or independence notwithstanding, which unmistakably puts her in accordance with the cultural values of American society, she was inwardly to