The Signs of Marijuana Addiction
Because marijuana is generally depicted as harmless in popular culture, many marijuana users mistakenly believe that marijuana is non-addictive.
This is not the case. In the early stages of use, marijuana
produces a sense of euphoria and well-being that some people find so enjoyable
that they become obsessed with using the drug.
Chronic marijuana users become physically and emotionally addicted to
the effects of the drug, experiencing strong urges to purchase and use the drug
even when it goes against their best interests.
Each year, more than 150,000 people seek treatment for an addiction to marijuana. Thousands others don’t seek treatment and attempt to cope with the debilitating effects of the drug on their own. They often become caught up in a cycle of attempting to quit followed by a relapse when they are overcome with a compulsion to obtain and use marijuana.
Over the past few decades, the potency of marijuana has increased at a rapid pace. The drug has also become more readily available, making it easier for a teenager or young adult to become addicted. What begins as a casual habit can quickly escalate to a compulsive preoccupation with finding, obtaining and using marijuana. Older adults who are long-time users often adopt a lifestyle that centers on the consumption of marijuana.
These are some of the symptoms of marijuana addiction:
· Tolerance – The user finds that larger quantities of marijuana are needed to achieve the desired state.
· Increased use – As addiction takes its hold, marijuana becomes a daily habit. The marijuana user will reach a point where he or she is always under the influence of the drug.
· Failed attempts at quitting – The user is unable to cut down or stop using marijuana, often coming up with excuses about why it’s not a good time to quit.
· Changes in lifestyle – The user stops participating in social and recreational activities or drops old friends because of marijuana usage. New friends are found who are equally addicted to marijuana. School or work performance may begin to suffer.
· Anxiety and depression – As marijuana use escalates, the earlier feelings of euphoria are often replaced by anxiety and depression as the user obsesses about obtaining marijuana and worries about being detected.
When marijuana addiction takes hold, it will have an influence on every aspect of the user’s life. One of the saddest effects of the drug is that many people come to believe that they can’t be happy unless they are under the drug’s influence. They lose the ability to feel comfortable in their own skin and are unable to deal with life’s highs and lows unless they have marijuana. This is why so many people seek treatment for their addiction to marijuana. They realize that they will never feel free until they have eliminated marijuana from their life.
Treatment for Marijuana Addiction
If you feel that marijuana is controlling your life or the life of someone you love, an addiction treatment professional can help to break the cycle of marijuana addiction. Feel free to call Sunrise Recovery for a confidential assessment at 866-540-5242.
