Erica M. Arrington, MD, CABHA Medical Director, Easter Seals and UCP of North Carolina and Virginia
John M. Diamond, MD, East Carolina University AHEC Psychiatry Liaison, Professor and Head, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
Robin B. Huffman, Executive Director, North Carolina Psychiatric Association
Craig B. Hummel, MD, LME Medical Director, Piedmont Behavior Health Solutions
Burt P. Johnson, MD, LME Medical Director, Southeastern Center for MHDDSA
James Norman Kimball, MD, Wake Forest University AHEC Psychiatry Liaison, Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Ureh N. “Nena” Lekwauwa, MD, Medical Director, NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services
A. Jackson “Jack” Naftel, MD, UNC Chapel Hill AHEC Liaison, Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs and Child and Adolescent Services, UNC Department of Psychiatry, UNC School of Medicine
Elizabeth M. “Beth” Peckarek, MD, CABHA Medical Director, Daymark Recovery Services
Brian B. Sheitman, MD, Professor, UNC Department of Psychiatry, Medical Director, UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health, UNC School of Medicine; Associate Director, Community Care North Carolina
Louis P. Stein, MD, LME Medical Director, Western Highlands Network
Marvin S. Swartz, MD, Duke AHEC Psychiatry Liaison, Professor & Head, Social & Community Psychiatry, Executive Vice-Chair, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke Medical Center
UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health
John H. Gilmore, MD, Thad and Alice Eure Distinguished Professor and Vice Chair for Research & Scientific Affairs, UNC Department of Psychiatry, Director, Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health, UNC School of Medicine; Director of the NC CABHA Medical Director Network
Alice Lockhart, BA, Director of Communications and Coordinator of the NC CABHA Medical Directors’ Network, UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health
Substance use can cause psychosis that will resolve when the substance is cleared from the user's system, particularly stimulants, cocaine, and cannabis. It can also trigger an underlying psychotic disorder that hasn't manifested yet, that subsequently may never go away. That's a big risk. Marijuana in particular may be an environmental risk factor for psychosis in some biologically predisposed individuals.
Marijuana is an interesting drug, because the different chemicals in it have different effects on the brain. THC causes hallucinations and negative symptoms, while cannabidiol can have anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic effects. This is why many people with psychosis claim marijuana helps them feel better, although simultaneously it may be making their symptoms worse. (Source: OASIS Early Psychosis Toolkit)
Founded in January 2009, the Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health is part of the Department of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Addressing quality of care and workforce development issues in North Carolina's mental health system, the Center and its clinical programs are supported by a three-year grant from The Duke Endowment, as well as Cross Area Services Program (CASP)
funds. The program operates in conjunction with multiple university, state, and community-based partners.
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