what does marijuana addiction look like

Research suggests that approximately nine percent of users develop addiction. Although marijuana is becoming legal in more states, there’s still the potential for abuse and addiction. Marijuana has many nicknames, which abusers and dealers often use to avoid unwanted attention from the police.

How do people use cannabis?

what does marijuana addiction look like

NIDA is a biomedical research organization and does not provide personalized medical advice, treatment, counseling, or legal consultation. Information provided by NIDA is not a substitute for professional medical care or legal consultation. Delta-8 THC is another intoxicating cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant.

Health Challenges

In some cases, a person may fold marijuana into an envelope or piece of paper that may have a date. The National Institute on Drug Abuse warns that the potency of marijuana has been on the rise for the last few decades. The increased potency mainly stems from the ability of marijuana cultivators to continually create new, more powerful strains. In general, the duration of the high will depend on the user’s level of tolerance, the particular potency of the marijuana, and the way the drug was consumed. Despite the high lasting only a few hours, marijuana may stay in your system from days to months since last use depending on the test that is used. Marijuana addiction can be challenging both for the person experiencing the addiction and for those around them.

what does marijuana addiction look like

Increased Cancer Risk

For example, holistic therapy may have you practice a healthier lifestyle and work on improving your mental health. Although marijuana withdrawal is generally considered to be mild, effects can include irritability or anxiety. In heavy users, marijuana withdrawal symptoms can include cravings for marijuana, trouble sleeping, irritability, anxiety, and boredom.

Who becomes addicted to marijuana and why?

In simple terms, chronic marijuana users might become less orderly, less thoughtful and a bit more impulsive while under the influence. The NIDA-funded Monitoring the Future survey measures drug and alcohol use and related attitudes among adolescent students nationwide. NIDA supports the Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM Study (ABCD Study®), which follows nearly 12,000 children ages 9 and 10—before substance use typically begins—into young adulthood.

Data analysis suggests that marijuana use more than doubles a driver’s risk of being in an accident. On a related note, the combination of marijuana and alcohol increases driving impairment more than either substance alone. Regardless of how THC is ingested, the substance acts specifically on the brain cell’s cannabinoid receptors.

what does marijuana addiction look like

About 1 in 10 people who use marijuana will become addicted, or have cannabis use disorder. This means you can’t stop using it even if it harms your relationships, school, job, health, or finances. The CDC states that you have a 10% risk of a cannabis use disorder if you use marijuana. If you think you’re addicted to marijuana, getting an early diagnosis can help with treatment and prevent the risk of chronic conditions like schizophrenia.

Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms

Professional addiction treatment specialists are on hand to promptly address any issues that may arise. In many cases, the symptoms of weed withdrawal will dissipate with time and can be treated without medical attention. However, if your symptoms last for more than a couple of weeks, you should see your healthcare provider or mental health professional. This condition can be diagnosed by a healthcare professional such as a medical doctor or psychologist. Treatment methods include psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications.

Emotional support through this period is vital, as withdrawal can be challenging both physically and mentally. Several evidence-based treatments have been effective for managing CUD or cannabis dependency. These signs collectively point toward a dependence on marijuana that can disrupt personal, professional, and social lives. In this guide, we unravel the complex impact of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), including signs and symptoms, how it’s treated, and tips to navigate dependency. Yale doctors have also conducted studies to measure the effects of combining psychotherapies to treat cannabis dependence. Like the naturally occurring cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant, there are a number of synthetic cannabinoids that are made in a laboratory.

How to Prevent Marijuana Withdrawal

With the ongoing legalization of marijuana in the United States and around the world, it can be hard to say how this will impact marijuana use and abuse. More research needs to be done on potential treatments for marijuana abuse and how to increase support and accessibility marijuana addiction for existing treatments. Protective factors can help people avoid substance use disorders.

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