Is Marijuana Addictive? Can You Get Addicted to Weed?

According to Dr. Baler, these changing reactions aren’t surprising because the plasticity of the brain morphs over time. “Very small differences can lead to huge differences in how the brain responds to cannabis,” he says. Science is not ready to say that cannabis is addictive despite what some opponents of cannabis use may say. Like other Inebriants, cannabis offers escape, pleasure, and relaxation. But, repeated use in a real world can present some health and social issues for the constant cannabis user.

Preventing Marijuana Use and Addiction

  • It triggers receptors in your brain called endocannabinoid receptors.
  • Recognizing these signs early and seeking support from healthcare professionals or support groups can significantly improve the chances of overcoming marijuana addiction.
  • This classification is something that really grates people who support legalization of marijuana.

Marijuana, also known as weed or cannabis, comes from the cannabis plant. It has a chemical called THC which affects your brain and body. When you use marijuana, THC attaches to tiny areas in your brain called cannabinoid receptors. But you may get better if you try psychotherapy, or talk therapy.

  • If you continue using the substance despite attempts to quit, a dependence is preventing you from quitting successfully.
  • But in the long run, marijuana can do a lot of harm to your sleep.
  • It would drive the fear away, but after a while, the fear would return.
  • You can either gradually wean yourself off the drug or stop smoking cold turkey.
  • Cannabis use disorder is commonly treated by psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed mental health counselors, or other licensed therapists.

Relaxation, pain relief, a desire to fit in, and more.

This can include missing work or school, getting in trouble with the law or school authorities, or putting oneself in dangerous situations. Teenagers may perceive driving under the influence of marijuana as safer than driving while intoxicated with alcohol; however, driving under the influence of any mood-impairing drug is dangerous. In addition, most adolescents are inexperienced drivers who need their mental acuity to decrease the risks of poor judgment causing car crashes. It is also important to avoid being a passenger in a car where the driver has ingested marijuana; individuals should refuse to enter a car in that situation. Admittedly, such a refusal may be difficult in the face of social pressure but it may be a life-saving choice.

Coping with Anxiety and Paranoia from Marijuana Use

  • Everyone was very supportive and I knew they really cared about me and my sobriety.
  • Withdrawal symptoms are additional physical and psychological indicators of addiction.
  • For months, I’d tried to follow the guidance of a therapist who suggested that smoking pot would probably interfere with the search for reality we were pursuing.
  • We personalize your schedule to best support your healing journey, and you have access to nutritious gourmet meals throughout your entire stay to energize and nourish your body.
  • Weed dependence doesn’t always lead to weed addiction (marijuana addiction).

Marijuana—also referred to as cannabis, dope, weed, and pot, among other names—is a commonly used drug. In the U.S., the use of cannabis has been increasing since the 1960s. According to a 2017 Gallup poll, nearly half (45 percent) of Americans have tried marijuana at some point in their lifetime.

why am i so addicted to weed

The findings underscore the need for comprehensive initiatives across the spectrum of prevention, harm reduction, and treatment to address substance use disorders, including marijuana use is marijuana addictive disorder. The economic and societal impacts call for prioritized public policies and targeted initiatives to mitigate the harms caused by substance use. One of the most effective treatments for marijuana addiction is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a practical, short-term form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying, understanding, and changing thinking and behaviour patterns.

Avoid the antidepressant venlafaxine—it can make withdrawal worse. Relapse continues to be one of the most trying aspects of addiction, made all the worse by cravings. One of the challenges with marijuana is, with its increasing legal status, it’s very easy to come by regardless of your environment. Marijuana withdrawal starts between 1 and 3 days after the last use, peaks between the second and sixth day, and typically lasts about 2 weeks.

Cannabis use disorder involves continued use of the substance even though the person experiences negative health or life effects from it. Medicinal marijuana is used to treat and manage a variety of medical concerns, including physical and mental health challenges. Despite the risks, studies of medicinal marijuana use have shown effectiveness.

Marijuana Addiction Symptoms

They can offer the encouragement and support that you need to be successful. Finding ways to stay busy can help distract you from some of the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. It can also keep your mind off of the drug cravings that you might be experiencing. Marijuana can control your life, affecting personal relationships and career prospects. It can also impair brain function, making concentration and learning difficult.

Marijuana users have decreased mental abilities, memory problems, more chest and lung infections and an increased chance of cancer, among other things. Marijuana addiction also increases the likelihood of the user engaging in behaviors like driving while intoxicated which can be dangerous. Support from friends, family, and professional organizations is key. We are a top addiction treatment center in Canada, ready to assist those struggling with marijuana addiction. International visitors should handle their visa applications if seeking our services. Recognizing and addressing addiction is crucial for a healthier life.

Stopping cannabis use gradually may help decrease discomfort from withdrawal and lower someone’s risk of relapse. /r/Marijuana is an educational and informative subreddit focused on Marijuana, hemp, and the various cannabinoids. We are dedicated to policy reform, news, advocacy, opinion, health, and discussion.