The financial burden of supporting a marijuana addiction can also lead to financial problems and strain relationships. And of course there’s the risk of legal consequences if you get caught with marijuana or driving under the influence. You might miss work or school, forget chores at home or stop hanging out with friends and family. You might have this condition if smoking marijuana causes physical, emotional, or social problems.

Effect on the Brain

Approximately 9% of people who use marijuana become addicted to it. Cannabis use typically becomes more frequent than intended because of how it affects the brain. Smoking or ingesting marijuana on the weekends can develop into dependence, especially if an individual is already dependent on another drug such as tobacco, alcohol or a narcotic. An update on cannabis use disorder with comment on the impact of policy related to therapeutic and recreational cannabis use. European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience, 269(1), 73-86.

History of Marijuana

Dependence on marijuana happens when users build up a tolerance for the substance and need more and more of it to experience the same effect. This classification is something that really grates people who support legalization of marijuana. According to a research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the average THC content in confiscated marijuana samples in 1990 was just under 4 percent. Plus, pediatricians and others have long said that marijuana can impair brain functions in people under the age of 25.

Quitting Cold Turkey

In the meantime, the brain and the body are hungry for these chemicals, and the result is withdrawal symptoms. Like other substance use disorders, cannabis use disorder and addiction can lead to withdrawal symptoms, dependence, social challenges, legal issues, and more. While one in 10 marijuana users will become addicted to the drug, that number rises to one in six for those who begin smoking pot before the age of 18. According to a 2012 study in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, the risk of developing an addiction to marijuana is almost nonexistent after is marijuana addictive the age of 25.

What Are the Signs of Marijuana Addiction?

• The road to recovery might be long, but with each step, you’re reclaiming your life and your future.
• Seth brings many years of professional experience working the front lines of addiction in both the government and privatized sectors.
• According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 6.4% of year-olds (4.3 million people) used marijuana in the past month in 2022.
• Whether you use it more frequently than you originally planned to or you use higher amounts of it than intended, this is a sign that you may have a dependence on it.

Seth brings many years of professional experience working the front lines of addiction in both the government and privatized sectors. Smoking weed can also affect how your brain works, making it harder to concentrate or learn new things. Timmen L. Cermak, MD, is a psychiatrist who specializes in addiction medicine. He is the author of numerous books, including From Bud to Brain and Marijuana on My Mind. All five are part of normal experience, so they can be easily dismissed.

• Soon after, pharmaceutical regulations were introduced in some states.
• Downregulation of cannabinoid receptors makes the user more suitable for jobs that don’t require creativity or innovation, exactly the effects that initial exposure seemed to stimulate.
• There are over 65 cannabinoids found in cannabis, yet substantial data only exists on THC and CBD.
• People can speak with a healthcare professional for support with their substance use.

Alcohol Addiction Medicine: Top Treatments for Overcoming Dependence

While dependence and addiction often go hand in hand, there are key differences between the two problems. Sharing your struggles and successes with people who get it can make a big difference in your motivation and resilience. So don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help when you need it.