Federal and individual state governments have discussed marijuana legalization for years. In many states, including California, it’s been legalized at some level. This doesn’t mean that marijuana is a wholly safe substance to use. Marijuana comes from drying the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant, and its THC chemical is responsible for most of the drug’s properties. The THC is what alters your mind and gets you high, and therefore the THC is what you can develop a dependency on. Marijuana, just like any other substance, should not be abused, and addiction is always a potential factor.
Although it may be common to see college kids and barbecue buddies argue about whether or not marijuana addiction is possible, those struggling with their use of the drug know how difficult it can be to stop. Marijuana addiction treatment is available, though, and programs exist to help you turn your life back around and stop solely looking forward to the next time you get high. You don’t have to keep trying to quit on your own, and you don’t have to process your dependency by yourself. Marijuana addiction treatment can be helpful for anyone who wants to stop smoking but isn’t sure how.
Is Marijuana Addictive?
Although some people may tell you differently, it’s certainly possible to get addicted to marijuana. Some people who regularly abuse marijuana may develop what’s known as marijuana use disorder, which is when your usage negatively impacts other aspects of your life, causing your relationships, career, education, or health to suffer. Addiction or dependency can develop from that point. Here are some signs of marijuana dependency:
- Withdrawal is one of the first things you should look for. When you’re not smoking or haven’t in a while, do you feel irritable and anxious? You might also feel shaky or start sweating.
- Watch your tolerance and pay attention when it changes. When you’re dependent on marijuana, you need much more to get high.
- Loss of interest in your usual hobbies or activities can be another sign of addiction. If you’re only having fun when you’re stoned, you may depend on marijuana.
When you begin to notice unhealthy habits in your marijuana use, it’s a good idea to take a step back. If you can’t quit, then it’s time to consider professional treatment. It may feel easy to let things slide or wait to fix them when facing addiction, but your health is too important.
The Effects of Marijuana Abuse
Marijuana affects you in many different ways, and it can affect you differently based on many factors, including your use habits. For many, marijuana can reduce your school or job performance and reduce your general life satisfaction. It may feel difficult to enjoy any aspect of your life without a chemical crutch like marijuana.
Marijuana abuse can also go alongside other addictions, necessitating polysubstance abuse treatment, which treats more than one addiction at a time. Marijuana lowers your inhibitions, so if you’ve quit drinking, you may find it’s easier to slip up or relapse after you smoke. In rare cases, regular marijuana users may have intense nausea, vomiting, and dehydration cycles.
Dependency in a Post-Marijuana Legalization World
Alcohol is legalized and regulated in the same way that marijuana is in legal states. This doesn’t make alcohol less addictive or dangerous. Just as you can develop an addiction to alcohol, you can become addicted or dependent on marijuana. However, treatment for marijuana addiction is available to those who need it. Residential treatment programs have shown good results for individuals struggling with marijuana abuse. If you need help quitting marijuana and ending the cycle of addiction, find a marijuana addiction treatment program near you.
