How to Know When You're Addicted to Marijuana: Signs & Treatment

Understanding Addiction

Addiction, particularly to substances such as marijuana, is a complex issue that involves physical, psychological, and behavioral components. Recognizing the signs of addiction can be the first step toward seeking help and treatment.

Differentiating Use and Addiction

Understanding the difference between recreational use and addiction is vital when discussing substance use, including marijuana. Recreational use typically involves occasional or casual use without the presence of intense cravings or a significant impact on daily life. On the other hand, addiction involves intense cravings due to substances hijacking the brain's reward system and inducing a surge of dopamine. These cravings overshadow the desire for other activities and can lead to a cycle of dependency.

Addiction can be distinguished from recreational use by factors such as frequency, dependence, cravings, withdrawal, impact on health, and impact on daily life. Various factors contribute to drug use susceptibility, including genetics, unstable environments, mental health conditions, peer pressure, stress, and unresolved trauma. Understanding these contributing factors can assist in identifying those vulnerable to addiction.

Impact on Daily Life

When trying to figure out 'how to know you’re addicted to marijuana', one crucial aspect to consider is the substance's impact on daily life. Addiction can interfere with a person's ability to maintain relationships, fulfill responsibilities at work or school, and engage in hobbies or activities that were once enjoyable. Recognizing signs of addiction involves monitoring behavioral and psychological changes. These signs can range from subtle indicators like anxiety, irritability, and depression to more severe symptoms like flu-like manifestations (e.g., nausea, vomiting, muscle spasms).

Recognizing the signs of drug use and addiction in youth, such as changes in behavior and psychological shifts, is essential. Although not everyone manifesting these symptoms is addicted, approaching loved ones with these changes and seeking professional help if necessary is crucial.

In conclusion, addiction is a multifaceted issue that requires understanding, empathy, and prompt intervention. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use or addiction, professional assistance is readily available.

Signs of Marijuana Addiction

Identifying and understanding the signs of marijuana addiction is crucial to seek timely help and treatment. These signs can manifest in various behavioral and psychological changes that can impact an individual's everyday life.

Behavioral Changes

Behavioral changes can serve as clear indicators of a developing marijuana addiction. Individuals addicted to marijuana may exhibit signs such as an insatiable urge to use the drug, using marijuana despite negative consequences, getting high at work, or spending beyond their means on the drug.

Addiction involves intense cravings due to substances hijacking the brain's reward system and inducing a surge of dopamine. These cravings overshadow the desire for other activities and can lead to a cycle of dependency [1].

Recognizing these signs of growing dependency or addiction in oneself or a loved one warrants seeking help from professional rehab providers like Experience Recovery to understand the risks and approaches to recovery.

Psychological Symptoms

Alongside behavioral changes, psychological symptoms can also indicate a marijuana addiction. These signs can range from subtle indicators like anxiety and irritability to more severe symptoms like depression.

Additional symptoms to watch out for include:

• A growing obsession with the drug
• Neglecting responsibilities and duties
• Withdrawal from social activities and relationships
• Changes in mood and behavior
• Memory problems
• Difficulty in thinking and problem-solving

Moreover, polysubstance use is common in cannabis users, with alcohol use disorder (OR=6.0) and nicotine use disorder (OR=6.2) being the most widely co-used substances. Psychiatric comorbidity is also common, with mood and anxiety disorders being the most common mental health problems.

Understanding these signs is crucial in identifying a progression from recreational drug use to addiction. It's important to remember that recognizing these signs and seeking help is the first step towards recovery.

Effects on Relationships

One of the significant areas where marijuana addiction can have a profound impact is in relationships. The habitual use of marijuana can alter relationship dynamics and pose challenges to effective communication.

Relationship Dynamics

Marijuana addiction, particularly when there is frequent or heavy usage, has the potential to damage relationships. Research shows that statistically speaking, marijuana use increases the likelihood of experiencing relationship issues and ending relationships with a spouse or partner.

The altered states of consciousness that marijuana induces may lead to disconnection between individuals. This disconnect can manifest in various ways, such as reduced energy and productivity, which can impact job performance and home activity, thereby contributing to relationship problems.

Additionally, frequent marijuana use can lead to recurring bouts of paranoia, which can erode trust within relationships. This erosion of trust can contribute to further issues in communication and connection, creating a vicious cycle that can be difficult to break without intervention.

Communication Challenges

Heavy marijuana use can also lead to a drug-related disconnection between individuals, making communication with a spouse or partner harder. This can lead to harmful actions that might be perceived as helpful to the relationship.

For example, someone addicted to marijuana might believe that their use of the drug is helping them to relax or be more creative. However, it may actually be causing them to withdraw from their partner or spouse, leaving them feeling isolated and misunderstood.

Furthermore, the paranoia associated with marijuana use can lead to a breakdown in trust, which is a fundamental element of effective communication. This can cause a rift within the relationship, making it difficult for partners to connect on an emotional level [5].

Despite these challenges, it's important to remember that help is available. Treatments for marijuana addiction, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and relationship or family counseling, can help individuals repair damaged relationships by recognizing and altering damaging thoughts, emotional reactions, and behaviors. These therapies aim to help individuals overcome their reliance on marijuana and improve their relationships [5].

Long-Term Effects

A crucial part of understanding how to know you're addicted to marijuana is recognizing the long-term effects of chronic use. These can manifest as cognitive impairments and several mental health risks.

Cognitive Impairments

Chronic marijuana use has been found to negatively affect attention, memory, and learning. These adverse effects can last for days or weeks after the acute influences of the drug wear off, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). As a result, individuals who smoke marijuana daily may be functioning at a reduced intellectual level most of the time. This impairment can affect their performance in school, at work, and even in their social life.

Moreover, heavy cannabis users are less likely to complete college and more likely to have a yearly household income of less than $30,000. This trend indicates that chronic marijuana use can have a significant impact on an individual's educational attainment and financial status.

Mental Health Risks

In addition to cognitive impairments, long-term marijuana use also poses several risks to mental health. According to the Addiction Center, these risks include mental health problems like depression or anxiety, and potential risks of developing mental disorders such as schizophrenia.

Furthermore, chronic marijuana users who quit may experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, insomnia, cravings, depression, restlessness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and anxiety. These Post-Acute Withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) can last anywhere from 12 to 24 months, which include restlessness, irritability, and increased anxiety.

Several studies have also linked heavy marijuana use to lower income, greater welfare dependence, unemployment, criminal behavior, and lower life satisfaction. These findings indicate a broad range of negative life outcomes associated with heavy cannabis use.

It's important to note that while marijuana may be perceived as a harmless substance due to its widespread use, chronic use can lead to significant negative outcomes in an individual's life. Recognizing these long-term effects is a critical part of understanding when marijuana use crosses the line into addiction.

Seeking Help and Treatment

If one suspects they have developed a marijuana addiction, it's crucial to seek help and treatment. The journey to recovery can be challenging, but with the right support and resources, it is possible to overcome addiction and regain control over one's life.

Professional Assistance

One of the first steps is reaching out to a professional who can provide guidance and support throughout the recovery process. This could be a healthcare provider, a drug counselor, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist. These professionals are equipped with the knowledge and experience to assess one's condition and recommend the most suitable treatment options. They can also help manage withdrawal symptoms and provide ongoing support to prevent relapse.

Northpoint Colorado, for instance, offers a variety of treatments for individuals affected by marijuana addiction, including family therapy, aiming to help individuals overcome their reliance on marijuana and improve their relationships [5].

Available Treatments

There are several treatments available for marijuana addiction. Although the FDA has not approved any medications for the treatment of marijuana use disorder as of now, research is active in this area.

Currently, some studies are exploring the effectiveness of medications such as zolpidem (Ambien®), buspirone (BuSpar®), and gabapentin (Horizant®, Neurontin®) to aid in sleep, reduce anxiety/stress, and improve executive function.

Nutritional supplement N-acetylcysteine and chemicals called FAAH inhibitors are being studied as potential treatments for marijuana use disorder. The aim is to reduce withdrawal symptoms by inhibiting the breakdown of the body's own cannabinoids.

Future directions in the treatment of marijuana use disorders include studying substances known as allosteric modulators that interact with cannabinoid receptors to inhibit THC's rewarding effects.

Psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can help individuals repair damaged relationships by recognizing and altering damaging thoughts, emotional reactions, and behaviors. Relationship or family counseling can also be beneficial in marijuana treatment.

The choice of treatment will depend on the individual's specific needs, the severity of their addiction, and their overall health status. With the right support and treatment, individuals struggling with marijuana addiction can achieve recovery and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Recognizing withdrawal symptoms is a crucial step towards identifying marijuana addiction. Cannabis withdrawal is a well-characterized phenomenon that can provide significant insight into how to know you're addicted to marijuana.

Cannabis Withdrawal

Cannabis withdrawal occurs in approximately half of regular and dependent cannabis users after abrupt cessation or significant reductions in cannabis products that contain Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The most common features of cannabis withdrawal include:

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Anger or aggression
• Disturbed sleep/dreaming
• Depressed mood
• Loss of appetite

Less common physical symptoms can include chills, headaches, physical tension, sweating, and stomach pain.

Polysubstance use is common in cannabis users, with alcohol use disorder (OR=6.0) and nicotine use disorder (OR=6.2) being the most widely co-used substances. Psychiatric comorbidity is also common, with mood and anxiety disorders being the most common mental health problems [4].

Duration and Symptoms

Symptom onset typically occurs 24-48 hours after cessation and most symptoms generally peak at days 2-6, with some symptoms lasting up to 3 weeks or more in heavy cannabis users. A meta-analysis estimated that 47% of individuals reported cannabis withdrawal measured by standardized scales. The prevalence in community samples was 17%, increasing to 54% in outpatient samples and 87% in inpatients.

It's important to note that there are no medications currently approved specifically for medically assisted withdrawal (MAW) from cannabis. Supportive counseling and psychoeducation are the first-line approaches in the management of cannabis withdrawal. Some medications have been used to manage short-term symptoms such as anxiety, sleep, and nausea [4].

Understanding cannabis withdrawal symptoms and their duration is a key aspect of recognizing marijuana addiction. It can guide individuals towards the help and treatment needed to navigate this challenging period.

References

[1]: https://www.turnbridge.com/news-events/latest-articles/recreational-drug-use-vs-addiction/

‍[2]: https://www.experiencerecovery.com/blog/recreational-drug-addiction/

‍[3]: https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/marijuana/symptoms-signs

[4]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9110555/

‍[5]: https://www.northpointcolorado.com/rehab-blog/how-marijuana-affects-relationships/

‍[6]: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/available-treatments-marijuana-use-disorders