Marijuana Addiction Treatment
Just because you can buy it at the corner store doesn’t make it safe. (Alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs we have.) Getting it with a prescription doesn’t make it any less addictive. (See: Oxycontin.) With marijuana psychosis on the rise, cannabis may be the latest drug that deserves a second look. Is marijuana really addictive? Can you overdose on marijuana? The answers could shock you.
What is Marijuana?
Marijuana starts as the cannabis plant. This plant is infused with unique chemical compounds (called cannabinoids), the most potent of which is THC (delta-9-tetrohydrocannabinol) — the compound responsible for marijuana’s psychoactive effects. Feeling those effects requires a chemical reaction induced by heat, so marijuana is most commonly smoked, vaporized, or ingested in baked goods. In any form, it causes a sense of euphoria and relaxation, which has made it a popular drug among those with cancer, chronic pain, and other chronic illnesses.
Is Marijuana Addiction Real?
However, just as we’ve seen the rise of marijuana legalization across the country, so, too, have we seen a rise in subsequent issues. Marijuana addiction is real — diagnosed as “cannabis use disorder” and listed in the official Diagnostic and Statistical Manual that doctors use to treat patients. Like other drugs, it causes brain changes, leading to tolerance and dependence.
Signs of Marijuana Addiction
Are you struggling with marijuana and wondering if you’re addicted? Signs and symptoms of marijuana addiction may include:
Failed attempts to quit or reduce marijuana use.
Dedicating a lot amount of time to finding, using, or recovering from marijuana.
Frequent cravings to use marijuana.
Neglecting responsibilities or activities to use marijuana.
Continued marijuana use despite problems caused by its use.
Developing tolerance requires more significant amounts of marijuana to achieve the desired effects.
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when attempting to cut down or quit, such as irritability, restlessness, decreased appetite, sleep problems, or mood swings.
Can You Overdose from Marijuana?
A marijuana overdose is rarely fatal, but it can be highly unpleasant. Consuming large quantities of marijuana can cause cannabis intoxication, characterized by panic attacks, racing heart rate, and anxiety.
Marijuana & Psychosis
Increasingly, marijuana is also associated with psychosis. Multiple studies have shown that cannabis use is a risk factor for developing psychosis and schizoaffective disorder. Particularly among young adults, the risk of lasting psychiatric impairment due to marijuana use is significant. A U.S. World & News Report study found that up to 30% of schizophrenia cases among young adult men are caused by marijuana use.
Marijuana Detox & Withdrawal
If you consume marijuana regularly or in large quantities, quitting won't necessarily be easy. You may experience withdrawal symptoms like appetite change, headaches, nausea, cramps, sweating, irritability, and more when attempting to stop use. Entering professional treatment is the best way to detox comfortably and to do the work necessary to stay clean once and for all.
Get Help for Marijuana Addiction
If you are struggling with marijuana use, you deserve help and hope. Dual-diagnosis addiction treatment can help uncover the hidden causes of your substance use, giving you new freedom and lightness you’ve never experienced. Are you ready to let new hope take flight? Join us at Owl’s Nest Recovery. In our quiet wooded campus, you’ll find the peace, support, and the tools you need to quit marijuana.