In addition, it has been found that marijuana dependence may affect your ability to respond to the neurotransmitter dopamine, which allows us to feel pleasure. In one study, those who had marijuana dependence had fewer positive emotions, higher stress levels, and increased why is weed so addicting irritability. Two of the most common signs of cannabis use disorder are physical dependence and withdrawal. Approximately 213,000 people sought substance abuse treatment for marijuana in 2015.
Marijuana Related
What we do know is that more people are consuming weed regularly. The number of adults in the U.S. who smoke marijuana has more than doubled since 2013. If any of these signs sound familiar, it may be time to assess your relationship with marijuana and seek professional support. But they may do better when loved ones are involved in treatment. The only sure way to stop CUD from happening is to never use marijuana. If you have children, make sure they know marijuana can be harmful.
- So, motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy with return to use prevention are gold standards of treating substance use disorders, including cannabis.
- It was highly regarded for its fiber, which was used to make textiles and ropes, and its seeds, which served as a source of nutrition.
- Nicotine is notoriously addictive, to the extent that the global market for nicotine cessation in 2021 was valued at an estimated $23 billion.
- Marijuana specifically refers to cannabis strains high in THC, the compound responsible for psychoactive effects.
- For a long time, marijuana was thought to be primarily psychologically addictive but not physiologically (physically) addictive.
- In 2020, about 14.2 million people aged 12 and older had a marijuana use disorder in the past year, which is about 5.1% of that population.1 That percentage has increased in recent years.
How Addictive Is Heroin?
- Negative changes in school or job performance, as well as relationships with loved ones, are also warning signs for a potential marijuana addiction.
- You can choose not to drive—and remind your friends and family to do the same—after using cannabis.
- Yes, marijuana is a hallucinogen, though it is chiefly classified as a psychoactive drug with depressant and stimulant effects.
- The researchers found that of those who had tried marijuana at least once, about 9 percent eventually fit a diagnosis of cannabis dependence.
- Seeking professional treatment, therapy, and support groups can help individuals quit marijuana and maintain long-term recovery.
I literally had no physical or psychological withdrawal from pot. Norton said many organizations “concur that marijuana is addictive — specifically, THC.” Of course, many adults use marijuana responsibly for pleasure and relaxation. Unlike with, say, opioids, there’s effectively zero risk of life-threatening overdose.
About the Medical Student Section (MSS)
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 alcohol rehab depression or anxiety. Medications such as antidepressants may be prescribed to treat co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. You can consult your healthcare professional to see if this is a viable treatment option.
In 2021, 35.4% of people aged 18 to 25 (11.8 million people) reported using marijuana in the past year. Norton said treatment looks different for each client, depending on many factors — such as if they see their use is a problem, and how it’s impacting their life. Notably, there is Marijuana Anonymous, which is a 12-step program to help people maintain abstinence from marijuana. There are probably several reasons why nicotine is so reinforcing, even if it is not as intensely rewarding as other drugs.
Marijuana smoke contains many of the same harmful components as tobacco smoke. Because of this, you should avoid smoking marijuana around a baby or children. Scientists have historically classified marijuana (THC) as a hallucinogen.
What Makes Marijuana So Addictive?
In pain management, medical marijuana is prescribed for chronic pain conditions, especially when traditional medications, like opioids, present dependency risks. The risks of marijuana use involve cognitive decline, respiratory issues, and an elevated likelihood of developing mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Prolonged use also leads to impaired brain development, particularly in adolescents, and a nascent risk of cardiovascular complications. U.S. public support for marijuana legalization has risen significantly over the past six decades, rising from 12% in 1969 to a peak of 70% in 2023 before stabilizing at 68% in 2024, as recounted by Gallup. People who should not use marijuana include those with a history of mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, as marijuana exacerbates symptoms.
- Contaminants such as pesticides, mold, or heavy metals further endanger users, raising toxicity and long-term organ damage.
- Do you keep using it even though bad things happen, like problems at work, school, or with friends and family?
- You might have this condition if smoking marijuana causes physical, emotional, or social problems.
- New research analyzing data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, published in the journal Addiction, examines trends in cannabis and alcohol consumption in the United States over the past 40 years.
- Cannabis is one of the most popular recreational drugs in the United States.
On the other hand, addiction is a chronic disease characterized by intense and uncontrollable cravings for a drug and compulsive use of the substance despite its negative impacts on the person’s life. The teen years are a time of growth, exploration, and risk-taking. Some risk-taking may foster identity development and independence (e.g., running for student council, asking someone out on a date). However, some risk behaviors—such as using cannabis—can have adverse effects on a teen’s health and well-being. Marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA; 21 U.S.C. §801 et seq.), making it subject to strict federal regulation. In states where cannabis is legal, possession limits range from one to eight ounces.
Is THC Physically Addictive?
Carolina Center for Recovery is lucky to have some of the most qualified and experienced addiction specialists in the country. Recreational marijuana use remains illegal, and penalties for possession can include fines and imprisonment, depending on the amount. According to the North Carolina General Assembly (2021), the Compassionate Care Act allows for the limited use of CBD oil containing less than 0.9% THC for qualifying patients. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (2021) also reports that early use of marijuana, particularly during adolescence, accelerates the onset of psychotic disorders in those with a family history of mental illness.
