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The NIDA reports that the higher potency of marijuana available today—specifically in regard to its THC levels—may be a factor in the rising number of people who develop a problem. If you or a loved one are struggling with marijuana misuse, WebMD Connect to Care Advisors are standing by to help. Drug abuse and addiction can be scary and uncertain, but it’s treatable, and there’s help out there. There are a variety of treatments available, and if one doesn’t work, another one may be better for you.
Everyone who uses marijuana should do so with caution, as it can have unpredictable consequences, including worsening anxiety, panic attacks, and paranoia. Studies show that marijuana is linked to a number of mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, and psychosis (SAMHSA). However, certain medications may help manage withdrawal symptoms or address underlying issues. For example, if a person uses marijuana to deal with anxiety, a doctor may recommend antianxiety medication, and taking this may make it easier to avoid the drug. The sooner you seek help, the greater your chances for a long-term recovery. Talk with your health care provider or see a mental health provider, such as a doctor who specializes in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor.
Cannabis use disorder
The focus needs to be on long-term recovery outcomes for this chronic disease. Recovery takes time, and sustained attention to physical, psychological, medical, housing and vocational challenges that are generally coincident with drug addiction are necessary to reverse current trends. Despite the concerns, there are some that believe in using marijuana https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/marijuana-addiction-how-addictive-is-weed/ as a form of harm reduction to treat addiction. The thinking is that some addicts with the most severe addictions are not ready for full abstinence, and a harm reduction therapy program with a less harsh drug like cannabis makes sense. It bears noting, however, that there are no scientific or long-term studies to back up these methods.
Therefore, people may consume more to feel the effects faster, leading to dangerous results. THC acts on specific brain cell receptors that ordinarily react to natural THC-like chemicals. These natural chemicals play a role in normal brain development and function. Studies suggest that THC is the substance that creates the potential for addiction with weed because of its psychoactive properties. Some researchers believe that because today’s pot is much more potent, it makes it more likely that some people will develop physiological dependence. Finding others who are dealing with the same issues as you can be validating, and you can learn from one another about different ways to cope.
Medication for Underlying Conditions
One marijuana user, Conrad, age 47, of San Francisco, said that when he can’t smoke, he drinks more. According to a research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the average THC content in confiscated marijuana samples in 1990 was just under 4 percent. On the other hand, there are studies that have issued warnings on marijuana and heart health as well as using marijuana for morning sickness. But family ties may also help some people avoid progressing to a state of addiction. Over time, however, marijuana use can undermine dopamine production.
Such treatments primarily focus on psychotherapy, but researchers are also exploring medications that might someday be helpful. Experts are finding a link between the age you begin using cannabis and the likelihood that you’ll develop a dependence on it. One study found that people who used cannabis starting at age 14 to 15 had a higher probability of developing dependence.
How is marijuana addictive?
Those who receive treatment for a Marijuana addiction are predominantly individuals who have chronically used Marijuana on a daily basis. These are people who have tried to quit on their own many times but couldn’t do it alone. Due to the constantly evolving social landscape surrounding Marijuana, it can be difficult to determine if you have a problem and even more challenging to stop using. In the same way that alcohol is normalized, so too more recently and widespread is Marijuana, thus, the notion of quitting is nuanced. While many individuals who might be dependent on or addicted to Marijuana don’t feel that they have a problem, they could still benefit tremendously from Marijuana addiction treatment.
- For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins when they take prescribed medicines or receive them from others who have prescriptions.
- They add that people who use marijuana before age 18 are 4 to 7 times more likely to develop this use disorder than adults.
- Welch described his first week without marijuana after about a decade of daily use as one filled with sleepless nights and irritable days.
- There are a variety of treatments available, and if one doesn’t work, another one may be better for you.
- Since marijuana can be addictive, it might seem counterproductive to use it in addiction recovery.
Many people who try to quit smoking pot for the first time will fail and may have to try again, possibly a few times, before they find a recovery method and treatment program that works for them. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, reach out to your primary care provider or a substance abuse specialist as soon as possible. Also, your state’s Health and Human Services department should have links to local and national resources for drug and alcohol addiction, similar to this one for Minnesota. Like addictions to other drugs, marijuana addiction can lead to withdrawal, trouble functioning in daily life, legal issues, and other challenges.
Marijuana as a Treatment vs. a Possible Prevention Measure
A user might not immediately realize that they’ve crossed the line into addiction. A 2014 study examined people who use drugs and who came to the emergency room with drug-related problems, which is a strong indicator that something is not manageable. They’re not driving under the influence of the drug or using the drug at work.
- Substituted cathinones can be eaten, snorted, inhaled or injected and are highly addictive.
- It’s also important to note that other factors besides biological mechanisms, such as a person’s social environment, are also critical in a person’s risk for drug use and addiction.
- Short-term marijuana use heightens dopamine activation in the brain, and this dopamine boost causes an increase in feelings of happiness and pleasure.
- The conversation around marijuana use has become more nuanced since the World War II era film “Reefer Madness” portrayed the drug as destructive and dangerous.
Revenant is a cannabis brand founded in 2021 by an NFL legend Jim McMahon and two more ex-NFL players Kyle Turley and Eben Britton. “Revenant is more than just a brand; it’s a lifeline,” McMahon stated, sharing his excitement for the brand’s Illinois launch. You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. Our work since has been to ensure many more people are able to fulfill their potential, but there is still much to be done.