AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data. The Verified badge on our articles is a trusted sign of the most comprehensive scientifically-based medical content.If you have any concern that our content is inaccurate or it should be updated, please let our team know at email protected. Local treatment centers provide not only immediate support but also long-term recovery resources. With these tips, you’ll be better prepared to find the right fit and begin your journey toward a healthier, cannabis-free life.
- No federal standards exist for the cannabis industry, but you have a better chance of knowing what you’re getting if you buy from a dispensary instead of off the street (which is still illegal).
- THC is responsible for the reinforcing properties of marijuana and subsequent addiction because it stimulates the brain’s reward system and promotes the release of dopamine, a “feel-good” hormone.
- Marijuana addiction is classified under the DSM-5 as a substance use disorder with varying severity levels based on the number of criteria met within 12 months.
Legalization and addiction
Marijuana’s active ingredient, THC, interacts with the brain’s endocannabinoid system, affecting areas responsible for memory, pleasure, coordination, and time perception. Over time, regular use can alter brain function and lead to addiction. The legalization of marijuana for recreational and medical use in many regions has significantly impacted public perception and usage rates. This shift in legal status has both positive and negative implications for how marijuana addiction is understood and addressed.
Long-Term Effects of Cannabis: Behavior and Cognition
Unfortunately, some prescription medications can be addictive, and medical marijuana can also lead to cannabis use disorder. According to a study from the Massachusetts General Hospital, medical marijuana can lead to cannabis use disorder.9 The highest risk came from the people who use medical marijuana to relieve anxiety and depression. Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or motivational enhancement therapy, are often included in treatment plans for cannabis use disorder. They’re highly effective at increasing self-control, identifying problematic behavioral patterns and relapse triggers, and developing strategies to overcome marijuana misuse. Signs of marijuana addiction include increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, neglect of responsibilities, changes in social behavior, and continued use despite knowing the harm it causes.
- This section explores how marijuana addiction affects physical health, mental health, and overall life functioning, shedding light on the seriousness of this condition.
- Tailoring treatment to meet personal needs and circumstances paves a smoother path to recovery.
- Over time, users may graduate from smoking marijuana to using it in high-dosage edible forms or propane-extracted concentrates called dabs.
- These symptoms can persist for days or weeks, however, after enduring them one can enjoy the benefits of quitting weed.
- Amanda Reiman, PhD, policy manager for the California office of the Drug Policy Alliance, and lecturer at the University of California Berkeley, shed light on this trend.
- If your doctor is aware of your use, they’ll be able to take the steps to make sure you stay sedated, or “asleep,” for the entire surgery.
Acute Effects and Insight into Reinforcing/Addictive Properties of Cannabis
The Canyon, a treatment center in Malibu, California, lists 10 signs that someone might have an addiction to marijuana. Among the signals is a growing tolerance for the drug’s effects, as well as using more marijuana than they initially intended to use. Chronic cannabis use can decrease dopamine receptor function, which is important to remember when thinking about cannabis’s role in mental health. Downregulation can lead to some positive effects, like reduced anxiety or fewer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in people who have higher amounts of CB1 receptors in the brain.
- Smoking and vaping tobacco can cause bacteria to grow underneath your gums, which can lead to this condition.
- The effects of marijuana are euphoria, cognitive impairment, respiratory issues, and potential dependency.
- They may be able to recommend a different kind or dose or whether you should be using it at all.
It evaluates symptoms such as tolerance, withdrawal, and the impact of cannabis use on daily functioning. The clinician looks for signs of impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas due to cannabis use. Marijuana addiction alters neurotransmitter levels, mainly decreasing dopamine and serotonin.
What Does It Mean To Have a Substance Abuse Problem?
There are no FDA-approved medications to treat marijuana use disorder specifically, but medications can help address accompanying issues like insomnia or co-occurring mental health disorders like depression or anxiety. Marijuana use disorder is a growing problem, but fortunately, addiction treatment can be effective in addressing marijuana addiction. Like other drug abuse treatments, the treatment programs for marijuana use disorder are tailored to the individual and their unique use patterns, history, and possible co-occurring disorders. Along with addiction, researchers are unsure to what extent higher concentrations of THC will affect the body and brain of marijuana users. They’re unsure if people are adjusting for the increased potency by using less marijuana at one time or using it less frequently.
While some people can try and use marijuana without becoming addicted, it can also be addictive for some people. Marijuana use disorder, also known as cannabis use disorder, is when the use of marijuana negatively impacts a person’s health or life but they continue to use it anyway. In light of the legalization of marijuana, many people have wondered about the substance, its safety, and whether it’s addictive. Marijuana—also called weed, cannabis, and other is marijuana addictive names—is a species of plant that is used as a medical and recreational drug. After the initial treatment phase, many individuals benefit from sober living environments or outpatient programs that provide continued support and accountability as they transition back into daily life.
Cannabis use disorder (CUD)
Does that account for their determination that 8-12% of those receiving opioids have a substance use disorder? I agree with the authors, therapeutic uses of drugs under physician supervision, be they opioids or marijuana, are not necessarily “addictive” based solely on the changing dosage and presence of withdrawal symptoms. Applying the current DSM criteria in a therapeutic setting makes little sense and needlessly labels patients as having a substance use disorder – the damage to patients with chronic pain using opioids is already well established. Coping with marijuana addiction involves understanding the nature of cannabis dependence, recognizing withdrawal symptoms, and seeking appropriate support. Psychiatric Assessment is an evaluation that assesses co-occurring mental health disorders that complicate cannabis use. The focus area is the symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other psychiatric conditions that are worsened by cannabis use.