Marijuana is a drug derived from the leaves, flowers, or stem of the plant Cannabis Sativa. Currently, marijuana is one of the most used drugs, and most people keep questioning if marijuana is addictive. Marijuana can be addictive when used over time. However, when you use it for treatment purposes, you might not get addicted. Marijuana contains an active component, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which alters the mind. When you get addicted to marijuana, you cannot live without it. Marijuana addiction might lead to marijuana use disorders. If you start using marijuana before the age of 18, the chances of being an addict and developing marijuana use disorders are higher than when you use it as an adult.
How Do You Know That You Are Addicted to Marijuana?
You might be taking marijuana for recreational purposes. Still, with time you become an addict—the moment you realize that your day is dependent on marijuana, that is a sign of addiction. If you take marijuana every day, then skip and get intense cravings, then you should start worrying about your condition. Another way to tell that you have become a marijuana addict is when you try to quit, but you cannot. Also, you might be noticing that taking marijuana causes you trouble at home and work, but still, you cannot control your urge to take marijuana. If you have any withdrawal symptoms, which disappear when you use marijuana, the high chances are that you are addicted to marijuana.
Withdrawal Symptoms Include :
- anxiety and restlessness
- anger or aggression
- depression
- decreased appetite
Effects of Smoking Marijuana
Different marijuana substances have an additional amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Depending on the amount of THC, the effects of using marijuana substances vary. Once you smoke marijuana, the THC component gets absorbed in your blood. It then travels to the brain and other parts of your body, resulting in several effects. When the THC gets to your brain, it acts on cannabinoid receptors, which are part of the endocannabinoid system. The affected cannabinoid receptor is the part that deals with memory, concentration, thinking, pleasure, and coordination. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for brain functioning and development, and that is why your mental health is at risk when you use marijuana uncontrollably. The effect of marijuana on the endocannabinoid system results in a “high” feeling.
Other Major Effects of Smoking Marijuana
Other than alteration of the mind, misuse and addiction to marijuana have different effects on your body. They include:
- Mucus-filled coughs
- Difficulty in problem-solving
- Dry mouth
- Dry eyes
Treatment of Marijuana Addiction
Several people seek medication for marijuana addiction. Some of them were using marijuana for medical purposes but later developed a dependency on it. At the same time, others started using marijuana as a form of recreation but ended up as marijuana addicts. Most marijuana addicts are children and teenagers because they easily get addicted to marijuana as compared to adults. Once someone realizes that the dependence on marijuana is causing them problems, they decide to seek medication. Additionally, some seek medication because of pressure from colleagues, friends, family, and employers.
The best way of marijuana addiction treatment is rehabilitation, similar to alcohol and other drug abuse. At the rehabilitation, the patient undergoes counseling, together with psychiatric activities. The psychiatrist will dig down and find out the reason why the patient started depending on marijuana. With that information, it becomes easy for them to counsel the patient on how and why they should quit marijuana. The medication will help the patient quit behaviors that lead to the smoking of marijuana. The patient might heal fully and stop using marijuana, or they might start minimizing the use of marijuana.
If the affected person is a child or teenager, family counseling works best. Loved ones will always try and understand the situation of the child at school and home. If the child is undergoing stress at some point in life, getting love from family might help them cope with the stress. When the stress is under management, it would be easy to incorporate behaviors to help the child or teenager quit marijuana. Additionally, you might start engaging the affected child in beneficial activities so that their mind stays occupied and they lack time to think about marijuana.
Marijuana is beneficial in some medical conditions like severe pain. However, misuse of it leads to addiction that causes many effects on your health and behavior. If you are struggling with marijuana addiction, call us today at 855-936-4435.
