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. The question of whether marijuana is truly addictive is central to is marijuana addictive the broader discussion about its risks and benefits. While some argue that marijuana is less harmful and addictive than other substances, others highlight the growing evidence of marijuana dependence and addiction among regular users. Marijuana addiction can significantly disrupt an individual’s daily life and functioning, affecting everything from personal relationships to career prospects.
- The American Council on Science and Health is a research and education organization operating under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Treatments are available that can help people overcome marijuana addiction.
- Expert consultation is necessary to determine if certain symptoms are a result of marijuana withdrawal or cannabis withdrawal.
- Studies have shown that CBT — along with motivational enhancement therapy — can lead to lower and less severe cannabis use.
Prescription Drugs
In addition to changes in reward processing, chronic cannabis use also seems to affect emotion processing. Several MRI studies reveal functional and structural differences in the amygdala – a key brain structure in processing emotions – after chronic cannabis use. Compared to healthy controls, adolescents who used cannabis had lower activation in the amygdala in an emotional arousal word task during fMRI (Heitzeg et al. 2015). However, in another fMRI study, adolescent cannabis users showed greater amygdala activation to angry faces compared to controls (Spechler et al. 2015). Together, these fMRI findings indicate that chronic cannabis use alters amygdala function.
- 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.
- Individuals and their loved ones must recognize these psychological signs of addiction.
- While marijuana is often perceived as less harmful than other substances, its potential to lead to addiction, particularly with regular or heavy use, is a reality that cannot be ignored.
- Cannabis regulation in Canada dates back to 1923, but it wasn’t until 2001 that the government granted access to cannabis for severe health conditions.
- “I’ve always found quitting marijuana to be easy when I needed to because of travel reasons or personal reasons, or professional, or what have you,” he told Healthline.
Effective Behavioral Therapies for Treating Marijuana Addiction
Treatments for CUD seem to target aspects of the binge-intoxication, withdrawal-negative affect, and preoccupation-anticipation stages described by Koob and Volkow (2016). They’re not driving under the influence of the drug or using the drug at work. Welch described his first week without marijuana after about a decade of daily use as one filled with sleepless nights and irritable days. “If I try to cut down or stop my intake and have negative consequences — cravings, irritability, upset stomach, chills, etc. — that could be a sign that my use has become dependence. “A person is not dependent on a drug unless they experience some kind of negative outcome upon stopping their use,” said Reiman.
Lifestyle Quizzes
The NIDA reports that the higher potency of marijuana available today—specifically in regard to its THC levels—may be a factor in the rising number of people who develop a problem. Two of these components, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have effects that are commonly known to people who use marijuana. THC is known as the substance that makes a person feel a “high,” while CBD often promotes a feeling of relaxation.
This makes a professional assessment by an addiction specialist necessary for accurate diagnosis. Furthermore, the National Institute on Drug Abuse highlights that THC’s interaction with brain receptors disrupts various mental and physical functions. Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. “Studies show that memory, motivation and executive function improve significantly within weeks to months of stopping,” Caplan says. If you’re impatiently waiting for your brain to bounce back, he recommends exercise to boost neuroplasticity and balance your endocannabinoid system, as well as omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and flaxseed for further cognitive health.
