It’s certainly difficult to imagine using drugs despite major consequences, such as a suspended driver’s license or prison time. Over time, users may graduate from smoking marijuana to using it in high-dosage edible forms or propane-extracted concentrates called dabs. “It has long been acknowledged that cannabis is a mood-altering substance with some potential for risk, including the risk of dependence. Despite the negative influence their addiction has on their life, however, someone with cannabis use disorder will continue to use marijuana. One of the major signs of cannabis use disorder, according to the DSM, is a strong craving to use marijuana. A person’s urges might be so strong, for example, that they would sacrifice other commitments such as work or school in order to acquire and use marijuana.
Who Is At Risk for Marijuana Abuse?
- Marijuana addiction can affect anyone but certain groups are more vulnerable due to specific risk factors.
- The system activates naturally to distinguish input that might contribute to our flourishing—for instance, a good source of food, a potential mate, or other meaningful connections, information, or stimuli.
- But, psychosis may also present itself as schizophrenia, delusional behavior, severe social anxiety, or recurring panic attacks.
- People who have cannabis use disorder may also be at a higher risk of other negative consequences, such as problems with attention, memory, and learning.
- In some states, weed is legal for medical reasons, personal use, or both.
Weekend marijuana use quickly turns into more frequent use, and some individuals may even begin using it daily. Because marijuana can reduce brain health and slow timing, coordination and movements, it often affects life achievements. Using the drug may hinder an individual’s ability to reach educational and career goals, decreasing their life is marijuana addictive satisfaction over time. You can be addicted to marijuana even if you limit your use to the weekends.
- Use of medicinal cannabis began in America in the 1850s, when products with cannabis extracts were produced and sold to treat maladies such as pain and muscle spasm.
- Instead, they will help people confront the real issue, hopefully with empathic understanding and encouragement.
- This program is ideal for educating patients and their families, school faculty and staff, behavioral and mental health professionals, and more.
- Holistic treatment helps you recover from substance use disorder while addressing underlying conditions.
What do we know about addiction to cannabis?
But, if the tolerance break leads to withdrawal symptoms like anger, depression, insomnia, nervousness, and restlessness, it’s a sign you have become dependent. If tolerance breaks lead to agitated cravings and central nervous system reactions, your cannabis use needs curtailing. If you’ve been regularly using large amounts of weed, withdrawal symptoms might start within a day or two. Regardless of how THC is ingested, the substance acts specifically on the brain cell’s cannabinoid receptors. Doctors may recommend medication to treat underlying issues or symptoms of cannabis withdrawal.
- While most people do not develop cannabis use disorder, it can happen.
- Few devoted users are willing to tolerate discomfort long enough to see if the problems fade, especially when relief is just a hit away.
- Treatment centres across Ontario, such as 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre, offer comprehensive programs to aid recovery.
- Child and adolescent psychiatrist Sarah Y. Vinson says some adolescents use marijuana because it’s the only “medicine” they can access.
Risk factors
If more than 6 of your answers were ‘yes’ to the above questions, it is quite likely you can affirmatively say “I’m addicted to weed” which is impacting your life. Answer the following questions as honestly as possible to gain insight into your usage patterns and decide if you might need outside professional help. Keep in mind that this is not a diagnosis but rather a tool to help you understand your habits better and contemplate further steps toward living a healthier life.
If you’re dependent on cannabis, you could go through withdrawal for weeks or relapse after you quit. That’s why experts are studying how medicine can ease withdrawal symptoms like bad mood, anxiety, restlessness, and sleep issues. They’re looking at antidepressants, cannabinoid agonists, mood stabilizers, and insomnia medication, but there are no FDA-approved meds for CUD. Some of these may treat mental health problems that worsen CUD. Many people consider marijuana use to be relatively harmless, because they believe that it isn’t addictive, and because the drug can be beneficial when used for a medically prescribed purpose.
