Marijuana Addiction Treatment
Marijuana is legal in more states than ever, widely available, and widely considered harmless. But the clinical picture is more complicated than the cultural conversation suggests.
Cannabis use disorder is a recognized diagnosis in the DSM-5. Marijuana today is significantly more potent than it was a generation ago, and the research on its connection to psychosis — particularly in young adults — continues to accumulate.
If you or someone you love has been struggling to stop using marijuana despite real consequences, that deserves to be taken seriously.
What is Marijuana?
Marijuana starts as the cannabis plant. This plant is infused with unique chemical compounds (called cannabinoids), the most potent of which is THC (delta-9-tetrohydrocannabinol) — the compound responsible for marijuana’s psychoactive effects. Feeling those effects requires a chemical reaction induced by heat, so marijuana is most commonly smoked, vaporized, or ingested in baked goods. In any form, it causes a sense of euphoria and relaxation, which has made it a popular drug among those with cancer, chronic pain, and other chronic illnesses.
Is Marijuana Addiction Real?
Marijuana addiction is real — diagnosed as “cannabis use disorder” and listed in the official Diagnostic and Statistical Manual that doctors use to treat patients. Like other drugs, it causes brain changes, leading to tolerance and dependence.
Signs of Marijuana Addiction
Are you struggling with marijuana and wondering if you’re addicted? Signs and symptoms of marijuana addiction may include:
Failed attempts to quit or reduce marijuana use.
Dedicating a lot amount of time to finding, using, or recovering from marijuana.
Frequent cravings to use marijuana.
Neglecting responsibilities or activities to use marijuana.
Continued marijuana use despite problems caused by its use.
Developing tolerance requires more significant amounts of marijuana to achieve the desired effects.
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when attempting to cut down or quit, such as irritability, restlessness, decreased appetite, sleep problems, or mood swings.
Can You Overdose from Marijuana?
A marijuana overdose is rarely fatal, but it can be highly unpleasant. Consuming large quantities of marijuana can cause cannabis intoxication, characterized by panic attacks, racing heart rate, and anxiety.
Marijuana & Psychosis
Increasingly, marijuana is also associated with psychosis. Multiple studies have shown that cannabis use is a risk factor for developing psychosis and schizoaffective disorder. Particularly among young adults, the risk of lasting psychiatric impairment due to marijuana use is significant. A U.S. World & News Report study found that up to 30% of schizophrenia cases among young adult men are caused by marijuana use.
Marijuana Detox & Withdrawal
If you consume marijuana regularly or in large quantities, quitting won't necessarily be easy. You may experience withdrawal symptoms like appetite change, headaches, nausea, cramps, sweating, irritability, and more when attempting to stop use. Entering professional treatment is the best way to detox comfortably and to do the work necessary to stay clean once and for all.
Get Help for Marijuana Addiction
If you are struggling with marijuana use, you deserve help and hope. Dual-diagnosis addiction treatment can help uncover the hidden causes of your substance use, giving you new freedom and lightness you’ve never experienced. Are you ready to let new hope take flight? Join us at Owl’s Nest Recovery. In our quiet wooded campus, you’ll find the peace, support, and the tools you need to quit marijuana.