Is Marijuana Addictive?
What Do You Think - Is Marijuana Addictive?
Is marijuana addictive? Or totally harmless?
Many people believe that marijuana is a very harmless drug. The idea that somebody could be addicted to marijuana is still a foreign concept to some people. Marijuana withdrawal does not produce very severe side effects, so many people do not think you can be addicted to it. However, the truth is that you can be addicted to anything. A huge part of addiction is the mental compulsion. Just because something does not have physical withdrawal side effects does not mean that it is not addictive.
Many people are addicted to things such as gambling, sex, and shopping. There aren’t the same kind of physical withdrawal side effects for these activities as there are for drugs like heroin or benzos, but that does not mean that people cannot be addicted to these behaviors.
While the withdrawal symptoms of quitting marijuana aren’t necessarily as dangerous as others, they do exist. When people stop smoking marijuana after long term, heavy usage, they may experience the following:
- Irritability
- Anger
- Marijuana depression
- Headaches
- Restlessness
- Lack of appetite
- Cravings for marijuana
Many people need help to stop smoking marijuana.
It seems that it is becoming more common for people to enter treatment for marijuana dependency. Whether or not you believe that marijuana is physically addictive or not is pretty much irrelevant. If someone cannot stop thinking about something and cannot stop doing something even though they want to, they’re likely struggling with addiction in some sense. Marijuana also changes your brain chemistry, just like the use of any other drug. Using marijuana increases dopamine in your brain and can change the way your brain is “wired.”
Unfortunately, there seems to be some sort of negative stigma attached to people seeking marijuana addiction treatment. Many people view this as unnecessary, but if somebody is struggling, they should never be embarrassed to get help.
So is marijuana addictive or not? It certainly can be. Being addicted to marijuana can be just as dangerous as being addicted to any other drug, like cocaine, heroin, alcohol, or anything else.
Many people use marijuana to self medicate themselves for symptoms such as anxiety and depression. To successfully abstain from marijuana, the user should seek professional help to work on staying clean and learn more about what caused the addiction in the first place.
What Should I do If I'm Addicted to Marijuana?
When somebody is trying to achieve sobriety (or stop any addictive behavior), I always recommend entering an inpatient facility. I know this is not feasible for everyone, but if this is a possibility for you, I strongly recommend it. If you cannot go to an inpatient facility, do not be discouraged. There is no rule that says you have to go to an inpatient facility to become substance-free. Many people get and stay clean and sober through an outpatient program or just through the rooms of the 12 step meetings.
Again, I know that everyone is different, and people will need different treatment plans. I believe 12 step meetings are beneficial in the recovery process, especially early on. No matter how you go about it, if you want to stay clean and sober, you can. In the rooms of 12 step meetings, you’ll hear many people say that it’s a program for people who want it, not for people who need it. Additionally, I strongly recommend seeing a therapist who specializes in addiction and recovery.
Ultimately, I believe that marijuana is, or at least has the potential to be, addictive. I Have seen it adversely affect the lives of many people. If you agree, or if you have a different opinion or story you’d like to share with us, please do! Comment below or share your story with us.