11. The Impact of Cannabis Decriminalization in Thailand
Lee Hawker-Lecesne of the Cabin
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The podcast episode discusses the recent decriminalization of cannabis in Thailand and its potential impact on public health. Lee Hawker-Lecesne, the lead therapist and addiction counselor at The Cabin, a rehab center in Thailand, shares his personal story of experiencing trauma and seeking therapy, which led him to pursue a career in addiction counseling. Lee emphasizes that trauma can be subtle and underlying, and that it leaves an emotional footprint that can lead to self-destructive behaviors. We discuss the risks of cannabis use, particularly among young people, and the importance of education and prevention efforts to address the issue.
In this Episode, We Cover:
Lee's personal story: Lee shares his personal experience of trauma and seeking therapy, which led him to pursue a career in addiction counseling.
Defining trauma: Lee and the host discuss the definition of trauma and how it can be subtle and underlying, rather than just the more obvious forms of abuse.
Stigma of substance use: Lee talks about the stigma surrounding substance use and how it can be harmful to those who are struggling with addiction.
The Impact of Childhood Trauma: Lee discusses how subtle cues in a child's environment can be traumatizing and have long-lasting effects.
Lee's Journey to Addiction Counseling: Lee shares his story of how he ended up working at The Cabin in Thailand as an addiction counselor.
Decriminalization of Cannabis in Thailand: Lee discusses the recent decriminalization of cannabis in Thailand and the potential impact it could have on public health, particularly among young people.
Decriminalization of cannabis in Thailand: Discussion on the decriminalization of cannabis in Thailand, the marketing strategies used to sell cannabis products, and the confusion between CBD and cannabis.
Marketing of cannabis products: The marketing strategies used to sell cannabis products, including the use of the term "dispensary" and menu boards with names of products aimed at young people.
Adverse effects of cannabis: The potential adverse effects of cannabis, including its use as a gateway drug and the correlation between cannabis use and the need for intensive inpatient treatment.
The Risks of Cannabis Use Disorder: Lee explains the risks of cannabis use disorder, including the potential for psychosis and schizophrenia, especially in young people.
The Impact of Social Media and Technology: Lee and the host discuss the impact of social media and technology on addiction, including the use of algorithms to keep users hooked.
How to Learn More About the Issue: Lee suggests that parents spend time with their children to learn about the risks of substance use and that people can get involved politically or join anti-legalization campaigns to learn more about the issue.
The potential impact of decriminalizing cannabis: Lee and the host discuss the potential negative consequences of decriminalizing cannabis without fully exploring its ramifications.
Who is Lee Hawker-Lecesne?
Lee Hawker-Lecesne, is Lead Therapist and Addiction Counsellor at The Cabin, Asia’s most respected rehab. Located in Chiang-Mai, Thailand, and with a clinical team that has more than 50 years’ experience, The Cabin has successfully treated over 5,000 inpatients. Lee heads up the clinical programme and works individually with clients creating bespoke treatment plans. His areas of expertise include mental health, addiction and trauma.
Originally from South London and having lived many years in Essex, Lee has worked with The Cabin since 2012 and has over 15 years’ experience in his field. Having read Behavioural Science at Anglia Ruskin University, he went onto do a postgraduate clinical focus on addictions at the University of Bath.
Lee has in depth training and experience of a broad range of clinical psychological interventions in the treatment of addiction, dual diagnosis, and trauma. He has worked in a broad range of national and international therapeutic settings nationally and internationally, both public and private and has delivered high quality substance misuse treatment and trauma therapy for both charitable organizations and private facilities including The Priory UK and The Cabin.
Lee’s treatment interventions include Psychological and Psychiatric Assessment, Clinical Risk Assessment.EMDR, Interpersonal Group Psychotherapy, Integrative Psychotherapy, Trauma Focused - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. In his role as a member of the Senior Leadership Team at The Cabin he has been responsible for Service Development, Clinical Oversight and Governance and Program Design and Implementation.
In his work at The Cabin, Lee designed The Behavioural Science Unit (BSU) in 2017, the first psychological and behavioural profiling unit within an inpatient rehabilitation centre. He also created The Behavioural Science Units Differential Diagnostic Procedural Assessment - a systematic diagnostic method used for psychological profiling. One of his specialist areas is differential diagnoses, ensuring clients receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.
As a registered Member of The British Psychological Society, Lee is a keen academic and researcher and has had many papers published, including:
• Hawker-Lecesne, L.D. (2022) The Kintsugi Program Post Traumatic Growth Handbook (2022), The Cabin. Chiang Mai.
• Hawker-Lecesne, L.D. (2022) The Kintsugi Program (2022) A Modular Trauma Informed Program for the Treatment of Acute and Complex PTSD.
• Hawker-Lecesne (2020) Changing Pathways: The Evidence Base for Trauma Informed Practice in the Treatment of Domestic Violence. Changing Pathways, Essex.
• Vallis, L.D. (2004) Social Construction of Identity: A Post-Structural Critique of Individualism, Orsett Psychological Review No. 16; December 2005; ISSN: 1474-0311
For more further information about Lee or The Cabin, please contact Natalie Clarke at Love PR, 07796675950 or natalie@loveprlondon.com
