What Are Some Negative Consequences Of Cannabis Use Disorder
Regular or heavy use of cannabis can result in the development of tolerance and dependence. A person will need more and more marijuana to achieve the same effects.
Adolescence, a period during which the brain is undergoing major changes, is an extremely poor time period for young people to try the effects of marijuana. Cannabis use in adolescence has been reported to increase the risk for schizophrenia.
Because cannabis is typically smoked, long-term use may harm the lungs. Marijuana also appears to be associated with neuropsychological deficits such as memory and attention problems.
For people trying to quit, withdrawal symptoms may include irritability, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, and hot flashes.
How Do You Know If You Have Cud
Do you use marijuana every day or almost every day? Have you tried to quit but canât? Do you get unwanted symptoms when you stop, like anxiety, crankiness, or trouble sleeping? Do those go away when you use marijuana again? Do you have a strong urge, or craving, to use it? Do you keep using it even though bad things happen, like problems at work, school, or with friends and family? If you answered yes to any of these, you may have CUD.
Harmful Effects Of Marijuana Abuse
Although medical marijuana can provide symptomatic relief for a number of medical and psychiatric conditions, abusing marijuana can still lead to some harmful effects, including:1,2
- Impaired memory.
- Problems with thinking and problem-solving.
- Lung inflammation, infection, and chronic pulmonary issues.
- Heart attack.
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How Is Marijuana Addiction Treated
Treatment of marijuana dependence and addiction doesnt differ much from that of other substance abuse disorders. On average, adults who seek MUD treatment have been using cannabis for about ten years and have tried to quit more than six times, evidence shows.
The treatment of marijuana use disorder depends on whether a patient has co-morbidities. If they have MUD only, without other problems, they usually undergo therapy sessions where they adopt coping mechanisms to overcome withdrawal symptoms and leave a cannabis-free life.
In the presence of co-morbidities such as psychiatric disorders, the program requires treating the mental health problem with medications and therapy. Therapy is also focused on helping a patient overcome MUD.
What we can learn here is that therapies play an important role in the treatment of marijuana addiction. The exact course of the program depends on the treatment center. In most cases, it includes:
The whole process starts by scheduling the appointment at a 90-day substance use treatment center for women in DFW. The patient evaluation aims to assess the severity of addiction or dependence and symptoms a patient is experiencing. Other factors are also taken into consideration, including overall health and wellbeing before the treatment course is planned.
Cbd & Drug Interactions: Consult The Use Of Cbd With Your Doctor
When you ingest CBD, it interacts with a system of enzymes known as Cytochrome p450 . These enzymes are responsible for the metabolism of drugs from pharmaceutical medications. CBD is the inhibitor of CYP45, preventing these compounds from being properly processed in the liver.
The mechanism works similarly to eating a grapefruit along with your medication grapefruit, too, interacts with CYP450.
The CBD interaction with medicines may trigger a range of second-hand side effects that wouldnt occur if you took CBD alone. We recommend consulting your doctor if you take any pharmaceutical medications and are afraid CBD may interfere with them.
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Psychological Addiction Vs Physical Addiction
Psychologically speaking, its important to understand that human beings can become addicted to anything. That includes any type of drug, as well as seemingly more mundane activities such as being on the computer.
Consistent use of marijuana can lead to psychological dependence, which can then develop into an addiction called Marijuana Use Disorder. This can cause a person to experience withdrawal symptoms whenever theyre not consuming marijuana. Studies have shown around 30% of cannabis users may suffer from marijuana use disorder.
Recovery From Marijuana Addiction
If a person cannot quit using the drug, even though there is damage and even failure resulting from use, then this person needs rehabilitation. It is certainly possible to build a strong, sober life but the person who cant do this on their own can repair the damage caused by abuse and can gain the skills needed at a Narconon drug rehabilitation center.
At a Narconon rehab center, no one is ever given substitute drugs as part of their recovery. Only in the case where a medical wean-down from heavy alcohol or drugs such as benzodiazepines, Narconon would arrange for the individual to complete a medical detox prior to starting the Narconon program. Then when they arrive at Narconon they would begin the drug-free withdrawal, using generous amounts of nutrients and techniques that help alleviate the pain and discomfort experienced during withdrawal.
Then the person goes through a thorough detoxification process to help flush out toxic residues of drug use that remain locked deep in fatty tissues. Once these residues are gone and a person feels fresher and brighter, it is much more possible to recover those clear thinking skills. Clearer thinking means a person can learn how to deal with the problems in life they may have been avoiding.
Contact Narconon today to find out how we can help someone you care about overcome their addiction to marijuana.
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Using Despite Negative Consequences
Someone with a weed addiction may realize that their drug use is affecting them physically, mentally, and emotionally. Studies have found that some of these consequences include:
- Impaired memory
- Inability to fulfill work commitments
- Financial instability
Despite the negative influence their addiction has on their life, however, someone with cannabis use disorder will continue to use marijuana.
Tolerance Buildup And Withdrawal Symptoms
If you notice that youre needing higher doses of marijuana just so you can get high, then that means that youre building up a tolerance. When you attempt to stop using marijuana and you experience withdrawal symptoms, this can also mean that you are already addicted to this substance. Some withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and loss of appetite.
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Benefits Of Inpatient Marijuana Treatment Centers
- Direct supervision around the clock
- Access to medical care, when needed
- Less access to marijuana
- Instant access to psychological and emotional support when needed
- Highly-structured environment and schedule
It might not seem important now, but there are times when instant access to help when youre feeling alone, scared, isolated or jittery makes all the difference. The benefits of outpatient facilities include lower costs, no need to take time off work, and less of an interruption to your daily life.
How To Treat Cud
Most people with CUD donât seek treatment. But you may get better if you try psychotherapy, or talk therapy. That includes cognitive behavioral therapy , motivational enhancement therapy , and contingency management . These can help you change thoughts and behaviors that make it hard to quit. You could also try to use marijuana only on certain days of the week, like the weekends. Meditation may also help you use less.
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Perhaps Our Culture Spurs The User To Be Afraid Of Being Mocked For Being Addicted To Weed
As an additional word of warning, the rise of THC oil products, such as “dabs,” “wax,” “shatter,” and “budder,” make it very easy to deliver massive doses of THC to addicts. THC concentrates in such products usually begins around 70%, or seven times stronger than a regular marijuana joint.
This super-dose of THC means that from the very first hit, the subject is already well on their way to developing an unfortunate resistance to THC.
Other products containing THC that addicts may utilize are soap, lotions, toothpaste, personal lubricants, candy, shampoo, and many others.
There is also a rise of THC being included in food items, such as brownies, cookies, and other foodstuffs.
Consult with a doctor or addiction expert before starting a recovery journey from marijuana. Like all narcotics, it can be an arduous process, but the payoff is absolutely worth it.
Can You Really Be Addicted To Marijuana
The United States is currently going through many changes around marijuana and its been in the news much more in recent years. A lot of these news stories, combined with attention from pop culture like movies, music, and video games have made a discussion about marijuana somewhat complex.
To add another layer of complexity there are 11 states plus the District of Columbia that have legalized recreational marijuana possession, growth, and use. They are Alaska, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.
All of the states have put in place the same age requirement as alcohol, where the law states you must be 21 years old or older to use marijuana, and each state has specified its own limits on the amount that can be grown and carried.
Those 11 states have also legalized medical marijuana, along with these 22 states:
- Arizona
- Utah
- West Virginia
In 2020 several other states will vote on legalizing marijuana and, most likely, the entire United States will at some point have laws in all 50 states that decriminalize marijuana to some extent.
The history of weed within the U.S.and really, most of the worldis characterized by the brief introduction and adoption of the drug, then swift demonization and criminalization. A lot of misconceptions and outright fictions were spread about marijuana in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and a section of these somehow still exist today.
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Prolonged Use Of Certain Substances
If you use certain substances for long enough, this can cause dependence on the active compounds of addictive substances in your nerve cells located in the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens.
The users start seeking out the addictive substance more frequently, resulting in a less potent release of dopamine. This is how you build up a tolerance to certain substances. Drug tolerance can be very dangerous, especially for hard drugs such as opioids, which involve a high risk of lethal overdose.
Those who try to kick their habit can experience severe, sometimes life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, including tremors, pain in the bones and muscles, throbbing headache, nausea, vomiting, and depression.
What Are The Risk Factors For Cannabis Use Disorder
About 10% of people who begin smoking cannabis will become addicted, and 30% of current users meet the criteria for addiction.
People in mid-to-late adolescence are most likely to begin using cannabis. Some genetic studies suggest that developing cannabis addiction is hereditary. A Yale Medicine-led study identified several gene variants that increase risk of cannabis dependence. However, more research is needed in order to confirm the findings and understand how these genetic factors might contribute to marijuana dependence.
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The Truth About Marijuana
Weed is an antidepressant drug but it also has psychedelic effects when taken in higher doses. It helps to know that there are 2 classified types of marijuana that offer different effects, one is psychedelic and the other is depressant.
Other experts in the healthcare industry believe in the healing properties of marijuana. They continue to reiterate that the use of marijuana in proper dosage is therapeutic and could even save lives.
Help For Cannabis Use Disorder
Cannabis use disorder is treatable. This condition can be diagnosed by a healthcare professional such as a medical doctor or psychologist. Treatment methods include psychotherapy and medications. More specifically, motivational interviewing, contingency management, and cognitive behavioral therapy may be used. Medications to control cravings may be used alongside nonmedicinal interventions.
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Medical Marijuana Vs Recreational Use
Medical marijuana can be defined as the use of the cannabis drug as a means of prescribed medical treatment for an illness.
Recreational use of cannabis is done for purposes other than any medically justified reason. Common uses of medical marijuana are for treating illnesses such as epilepsy, Alzheimers, PTSD and more.
The main difference between these two types of marijuana use, is the amount of THC and CBD they possess.
THC is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis that provokes a high. Common types of cannabis have a low amount of THC and a higher amount of CBD.
CBD is considered the main ingredient that introduces a health benefit to marijuana use due to its numerous illness-fighting properties.
Medical marijuana continues to be legalized in several different places across the United States. What counts as legalized medical marijuana will vary depending on the laws of the region its prescribed and consumed in.
However, in general, a legally approved medicinal use of marijuana will have a higher CBD to THC ratio.
So, is medical marijuana addictive?
Effects Of Marijuana Addiction On Teens
Adolescents are at particular risk for developing dependence to marijuana for several reasons. The younger substance use begins the higher the likelihood of that person developing a substance addiction. Secondly, there is a vulnerability to the adolescent brain, which is still developing, that can making addiction more likely as well as having other negative developmental impacts.
Studies have found that adolescents who use marijuana at least once a week are more likely to develop a dependence on the drug. The sooner teenagers get into treatment for marijuana addiction, either in outpatient drug addiction counseling or at a marijuana addiction treatment center, the better the long term results of treatment.
The results of a marijuana addiction in an adolescent can be severe and cause ongoing issues for the individual.
- Adverse effects on brain development which affect long term brain functioning
- Struggles at school
- Struggles with other mental health issues: anxiety, depression and psychosis
- Increased likelihood of sexually transmitted diseases, delinquency, teen pregnancy, dropping out of school
- Increased likelihood of using tobacco
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Recognizing A Marijuana Addiction
One of the biggest signs of a Marijuana addiction is an insatiable urge to use Marijuana no matter the negative outcome. This could mean getting high at work or spending more on the drug than is affordable. Generally, most people addicted to Marijuana dont feel normal unless they can get high.
Some clinical warning signs of Marijuana addiction include needing larger amounts of Marijuana to get high and prioritizing Marijuana use over social or occupational responsibilities. Learn more about the clinical criteria used to diagnose an addiction.
Can Medicine Help With Cud
If youâre dependent on cannabis, you could go through withdrawal for weeks or relapse after you quit. Thatâs why experts are studying how medicine can ease withdrawal symptoms like bad mood, anxiety, restlessness, and sleep issues. Theyâre looking at antidepressants, cannabinoid agonists, mood stabilizers, and insomnia medication, but there are no FDA-approved meds for CUD. Some of these may treat mental health problems that worsen CUD.
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Loss Of Interest In Activities
Someone who is addicted to marijuana will prioritize their drug use over other aspects of their life. They will likely cut back on activities that previously brought them joy or withdraw from them altogether.
A person with marijuana addiction may struggle to maintain healthy relationships with their friends and family if they withdraw from socializing in order to use the drug.
In addition, marijuana dependence has been linked with a lack of motivation. Someone who is addicted may lack the drive to engage in activities, pursue goals, or keep up with responsibilities, including school and work.
Health Impacts To Youth
The human brain does not finish developing until age 26. Marijuana use during adolescence can impact memory, concentration, and attention span.
This video was developed as part of Peers Practicing Prevention. These are stories by real youth in Spokane, and the views expressed are those of the individuals represented.
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Withdrawal Symptoms When Not Using Marijuana
Quitting any substance abuse is no easy task. When you decide to stop using marijuana, this could lead to some withdrawal symptoms. Experiencing these symptoms is a sign that you are already physically dependent or addicted to weed. Some common withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, irritability, depression, weight changes, and flu-like symptoms.
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available.
Contact Lighthouse Treatment Center Today.
Child Development In Pregnant Women
There has been a popular belief that marijuana can help pregnant women deal with their nausea. However, medical experts are firm in their warning against it. Marijuana use in pregnant women is known to be linked to low birth weight. Such babies are also observed to have behavioural and brain problems.
When a pregnant woman is a marijuana user, then there may be effects on the way that the brain of the fetus develops. When these babies grow up, they are observed to have problems with memory, problem-solving, and attention. Even THC from breast milk can affect the childs developing brain. The studies regarding these effects of marijuana on babies are still ongoing.
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Mental Effects Of Marijuana Use
When a person has been using marijuana for a long time, it is possible that he or she may develop a mental illness and other mental conditions. They may experience hallucinations and paranoia.
For people who have schizophrenia, their mental condition may get worse with regular marijuana use. Other mental effects include anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts in young people who use marijuana frequently.
You Use Marijuana To Deal With Problems
Think about the way youre using marijuana. Have you been using it to deal with your problems? When you have bad grades or problems with your boss or even relationship issues, do you feel your only option is to try and get high? If this is the case then youre getting deeper into your marijuana use and addiction.
Another way you can identify that youre addicted to marijuana is if you depend on it to feel relaxed. If you take weed before starting work or doing anything creative or other tasks, then its a clear sign that you have developed a heavy dependence on it and you are already addicted to the substance.
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