Sharing Our Experience, Strength, and Hope: Personal Stories of Marijuana Addicts

It hinders the brain’s ability to form connections between certain areas, which impairs learning functions, memory and thinking. These are common short-term effects of using the drug, but they can also become permanent in some cases. If you’ve recognized the signs of marijuana addiction in yourself or a loved one, don’t despair. But let’s not beat around the bush – weed addiction is real, and it’s high time we talked about it. ” Well, so is tobacco, and we all know how that story goes. The truth is, cannabis dependence is a complex issue that deserves our attention and understanding.

• If you’ve been regularly using large amounts of weed, withdrawal symptoms might start within a day or two.
• Create boundaries with people who make it more challenging to quit.
• The two main drugs being tested with are buspirone (and anti-anxiety medication) and zolpidem (a sleep aid).

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• It can impact a fetus’s developing brain and increase the risk of cognitive and behavioral problems following birth, hindering the baby’s problem-solving skills, memory and attention.
• John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine.
• However, recent trends toward greater societal acceptance of marijuana use and increased availability of both recreational and medical forms of the drug may increase the addiction rate in older adults.
• Recognizing and addressing addiction is crucial for a healthier life.
• Having a high-functioning marijuana addiction is dangerous because it can gradually decrease an individual’s brain function and quality of life.
• As addicts, we were stuck in a Lotus Land; we forgot our mission; we forgot the other adventures that awaited us; we forgot about going home.

Adolescents aged used various means to ingest marijuana in 2022; the most popular was smoking (77%), followed by vaping (60%). Also popular was eating or drinking the drug (36%) or using dabbing waxes and concentrates (23%). Some adolescent users applied marijuana in a lotion, cream, or skin patch or used drops, lozenges, strips, and other means of administration.

Symptoms of Cannabis Use Disorder

• Approximately 213,000 people sought substance abuse treatment for marijuana in 2015.
• Understanding the risk factors, such as genetics and environmental influences, is crucial in addressing marijuana addiction.
• Chronic marijuana use can also increase a person’s risk of certain psychiatric problems.
• Some of these may treat mental health problems that worsen CUD.
• So, a drug can cause dependence but not abuse, as is the case for some people prescribed opiate pain medication.

Stay strong, stay informed, and most importantly, stay hopeful. The road to recovery might be long, but with each step, you’re reclaiming your life and your future. The more we talk about weed addiction, the more we chip away at the stigma and misconceptions surrounding it. Share your stories, listen to others, and remember – you’re not alone in this journey. Another myth is that weed is harmless because it’s not as addictive as other drugs. This is like saying it’s okay to jump off a one-story building because it’s not as dangerous as jumping off a skyscraper.

• If you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t use medical marijuana unless your doctor says it’s OK.
• Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website.
• Cannabis use disorder can hinder brain function and prevent you from living a happy, fulfilled and successful life, but recovery is possible.
• In 2022, 1.2 million adolescents ages began using marijuana for the first time.
• It is possible to become dependent on marijuana without becoming addicted, but typically, showing symptoms of withdrawal is indicative of cannabis use disorder.

What is Marijuana Addiction?

The journey from recreational enjoyment to full-blown addiction can be a slippery slope, often masked by society’s growing acceptance of marijuana use and the persistent myth that cannabis is harmless. Over time, marijuana use can cause other detrimental effects, including lung problems, memory loss and a decline in IQ. Chronic marijuana use can also increase a person’s risk of certain psychiatric problems. Symptoms of marijuana withdrawal include agitation, decreased appetite and sleep problems.

Reach out to your doctor or find a mental health professional who specializes in treating addictions. There are currently no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of marijuana use disorders, but research in this area is ongoing. Clinical trials have shown that buspirone, an anti-anxiety medication, can reduce cravings and drug use and decrease symptoms of irritability. Start by talking to your doctor or mental health professional about your treatment options. Symptoms of withdrawal can be unpleasant and can derail your efforts to stop smoking weed.

That’s because marijuana can affect major organs such as your heart and lungs. Like the possible risk of chronic conditions such as schizophrenia, the chances of cannabis use disorder are greater the younger you start marijuana and the more heavily you use it. For instance, the odds of addiction are 1 in 6 if you use marijuana in your teens.

The only sure way to stop CUD from happening is to never use marijuana. Not using drugs when you’re young might lower your chances. If you have children, make sure they know marijuana can be harmful. Keep a close eye on your kids if you get divorced, move, or have to send them to a different school. Teenagers tend to use drugs when faced with uncertain changes or stressors.

Cardiovascular risks soar among daily cannabis users

The highest percentage of users was among those aged 18 to 25, with 13.3 million people (38.2 percent) using the substance. In the same year, 19 million people (6.7 percent) 12 and older had a marijuana use disorder, the medical diagnosis for marijuana addiction. Marijuana abuse can lead to several short and long-term effects. In the short term, users may experience altered perceptions, mood changes, and impaired coordination. Long-term effects can be more severe and include mental health issues and cognitive impairments. The details on the effects of marijuana abuse provide a comprehensive overview of these impacts, emphasizing the need for timely intervention and treatment.

In light of the legalization of marijuana, many people have wondered about the substance, its safety, and whether it’s addictive. Marijuana—also called weed, cannabis, and other names—is a species of plant that is is marijuana addictive used as a medical and recreational drug. If you have a marijuana use disorder, a supportive treatment program can help you break free from addiction. While there are several recovery options, a holistic approach can help you recover from addiction and co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

I Only Smoke Weed on the Weekends — Am I Addicted?

If you need more anesthesia to fall asleep because of your pot use, you’re at a higher risk of low blood pressure and a delayed wake-up after surgery. Instead of smoking, try another form, such as edibles or a tincture you put under your tongue. If you do smoke, don’t hold it in your lungs for more than a second. It’s a myth that the longer you hold it in your lungs, the higher you’ll get. No federal standards exist for the cannabis industry, but you have a better chance of knowing what you’re getting if you buy from a dispensary instead of off the street (which is still illegal).