Although there has been a growing interest in medical marijuana throughout the United States, it’s important to realize that marijuana can be addictive. Individuals who are unable to regulate their marijuana usage despite experiencing negative physical, social, emotional, and financial consequences are said to suffer from a marijuana use disorder.
The Potential Dangers of Marijuana
Marijuana is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried flowers of Cannabis sativa, an annual herbaceous flowering plant indigenous to eastern Asia. The main psychoactive chemical in marijuana that creates most of the drug’s intoxicating effects is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, marijuana also contains more than 500 other chemicals, including more than 100 compounds that are chemically related to THC and referred to as cannabinoids.
Popular slang terms for marijuana include pot, weed, Mary Jane, herb, grass, bud, and ganja. Marijuana can be used in many forms. It can be:
- Smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes called joints
- Smoked in rolled cigar wraps called blunts
- Smoked in water pipes called bongs
- Brewed in tea
- Mixed into food such as brownies, cookies, or candies
- Added to a vaporizer
The intoxicating effects of marijuana occur almost immediately when the drug is smoked. With edibles, the effects generally begin in 30 minutes to one hour. Users typically experience a sense of euphoria and relaxation. Heightened sensory perception, increased appetite, and altered perception of time may also occur. However, the positive effects are not universal. Some people have found that marijuana use leads to anxiety, fear, panic, and distrust. In extreme cases, psychosis with hallucinations and delusions can occur.
The effects of marijuana are primarily dependent upon the level of THC in the drug, and potency has been steadily rising. In the early 1990s, the average THC content in confiscated marijuana samples was less than 4%. By 2018, it has risen to over 15%.
Signs of a Marijuana Use Disorder
After alcohol, marijuana is the most commonly used psychotropic drug in the United States. Its use is more prevalent among men than women and most common among teens and young adults.
Signs that someone may have a marijuana use disorder include:
- Using marijuana more than intended
- Being unable to reduce or stop using marijuana
- Experiencing cravings for marijuana
- Believing marijuana usage is needed to feel normal
- Developing an increased tolerance for the drug or experiencing withdrawal symptoms
- Neglecting relationships with friends and family to spend more time using marijuana
- Forgoing hobbies and special interests to spend more time using marijuana
- Declining performance at work or school
- Becoming angry or defensive when others express concern about substance abuse
Weight gain, mood swings, impaired coordination, difficulty concentrating, and trouble remembering information are also potential signs of marijuana abuse. Research shows that the negative cognitive effects of marijuana use can last for days or even weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off.
If you are worried about a friend or family member’s marijuana use, it’s important to speak up. Addiction is a progressive, chronic illness—not a character flaw. Your loved one needs your support to avoid the long-term negative consequences of an untreated substance abuse problem. There is also some evidence to suggest that marijuana can be a gateway drug that increases the risk of a person developing an addiction to other illicit substances—especially when teens whose brains are still developing are using marijuana regularly.
Treatment Options
Substance abuse treatment needs to be personalized to meet the needs of each individual client. However, the process generally begins with a detox to rid the body of the abused substance and establish a normal baseline. The primary symptoms of marijuana withdrawal are mainly psychological and can include irritability, insomnia, cravings, changes in eating patterns, depression, and anxiety. Symptoms typically peak within the first week, which is why it’s important to have access to a team of supportive professionals who can make the process as comfortable as possible.
Detox is followed by intensive individual, group, and family therapy to help build the skills necessary for sober living. Therapy often focuses on healthy communication, establishing a strong support system, effectively dealing with stress, processing past trauma, and addressing any co-occurring mental health disorders. After residential treatment is complete, outpatient support helps ease the transition back to independent living.
At Mountain Laurel Recovery Center, we provide comprehensive, evidence-based care designed to meet the needs of men and women suffering from marijuana use disorders. Contact us today to learn more about the options available at our Pennsylvania substance abuse treatment center.