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Marijuana addiction.There is limited information available about marijuana addiction due to the controversy as to whether this drug truly causes an addiction or not. While the drug may have benefits when used for a medically prescribed purpose, it also has dangers – especially when abused. When it is used over a long period of time it is known to cause
dependence, tolerance, and even addiction. |
Marijuana is typically smoked to produce a relaxed and euphoric effect but some choose to eat the substance for a milder, longer lasting high. However you take it, you do run the risk of feeling like you need to use marijuana daily and being unable to stop using it on your own.
Below is a look at the characteristics of marijuana addiction and some methods of effectively coping with the urges to smoke pot.
Some say that weed is highly addictive and can cause adverse effects both physically and psychologically especially when the user quits while others state that the drug has no real addictive qualities at all. So what’s the truth? Is marijuana really addictive?
Physically, smoking marijuana can lead to a number of consequences such as changes in appetite, changes in mood and increased heart rate. However, the physical signs and symptoms of marijuana addiction are not near those of an addiction to heroin or other hard drugs. Does this make smoking pot ok? Some would argue and say yes, while others explicitly state NO.
Psychologically, marijuana can increase anxiety and paranoia, lead to depression and reduce the brain’s ability to think clearly. Most of these symptoms will wear off as the drug itself wears off but for some, the psychological effects of marijuana can last many months or even years after the individual stops smoking pot. Anxiety and depression are very common outcomes of marijuana abuse and these two medical conditions are likely to lead to an individual’s desire to self-medicate or a need for prescribed medication to treat the condition appropriately.
Long term use or marijuana is said to have some addictive potential, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In most cases, first time users will not become addicted and even occasional users who smoke pot recreationally will not become addicted to the drug. However, daily, long term use of marijuana can lead to many harmful effects. Abruptly stopping or no longer using marijuana after a prolonged phase of marijuana use can lead to the following withdrawal symptoms:
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Poor appetite
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Agitation
- Cravings
- Mood swings
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Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms
As the above marijuana withdrawal symptoms progress, they will typically peak around the third or fourth consecutive day of not smoking pot. Within about a week or two, all symptoms of marijuana addiction will usually have gone away and the user can return to normal. Unfortunately, there are some symptoms of marijuana use that can last into a prolonged period of time. Most of these symptoms are mental or psychological in scope and will require some type of treatment and or counseling in order to overcome. That said, according to Columbia University addiction to marijuana is both psychological and physical.
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Effects of Marijuana.
- Anxiety that does not go away or actually gets worse as a result of smoking pot
- Depression or a depressed state
- Social intolerance or a lack of desire to be social
- Schizophrenia or feeling like everyone is out to get you
- Acute psychotic reactions
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Effects of Marijuana on the Heart:
- Increased heart rate by 20-100%
- Increased risk of heart attack
- Increased risk of cardiovascular vulnerabilities
Effects of Marijuana on the Lungs:
- Carcinogenic toxins create lung cancer
- Increased exposure to disease
- Increased risk of pneumonia
- Increased risk of cold
Effects of Marijuana on Life:
- Lack of motivation
- Physical impairment
- Mental impairment
- Reduced cognitive abilities
- Poor social life.
How to Overcome Marijuana Addiction
If you are addicted to marijuana or if you aren’t really addicted so much but you’ve just decided that it’s time to stop smoking pot there are some steps that you can take to fast track your recovery success. Overcoming marijuana can be a difficult journey because you are already in a rut, you are probably anxious and depressed, you may have changed the group of friends that you spend time with and suffered various other problems as a result of your pot abuse. Fortunately, there are a number of options for help when it comes to overcoming marijuana addiction and taking back control of your life:
- Inpatient Rehab – in most cases, inpatient rehab will not be required for those who are addicted to marijuana unless your addiction is paired with a co-occurring mental illness or if you are also addicted to another drug or substance such as alcohol
- Outpatient Rehab – this is the most common method of treatment for pot addiction and takes place on daily, weekly or even semi-weekly sessions that include counseling and therapy to assist the individual in learning how to recognize and avoid the situations that cause them to smoke pot and to overcome their addiction
- Behavioral therapy – many people who smoke pot do so because they are bored or they need a mood boost. Behavioral therapy can teach these people how to overcome their addiction to pot by changing the behaviors that they take part in to more positive behaviors that will help them to be more productive and less likely to smoke pot
- Cognitive therapy – this method of treatment will help the addict to think in a different way that does not promote them to smoke pot
- Community reinforcement – many people who smoke pot have trouble feeling good or happy without the drug due to chemical changes in the brain. Community reinforcement programs can help by providing a reward to an individual for recovery goals that are met such as not smoking pot for a month or making other commitments and following through with them
- Support groups – many different support groups exists include Marijuana Anonymous groups which focus on the twelve-step recovery model which outlines a series of steps that take the addict from full-fledged addiction on through to sobriety.
While there are currently no medical treatments for marijuana addiction, some are being researched according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
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