Your Friends And Family Have Talked To You About Your Marijuana Use
It is quite possible that you are addicted to marijuana and you dont even realize it. In fact, sometimes an addict is the last person to know they are an addict. This is because denial plays a powerful role in perpetuating addiction.
You can easily justify your use of green and tell yourself things arent that bad or that you can stop anytime you want to. But, you may have lost touch with reality and cannot see your addiction for what it is.
Concern from loved ones can sound like nagging to an addicted person. However, those who are closest to you genuinely care about you. They want what is best for you.
If friends or family members in your support circle have told you they think you use too much marijuana, or that they dont like your behavior when youre high, or they have stopped hanging out with you as often you should sit up and take notice.
Negative Effects Of Marijuana And Addiction
Like with alcohol, some people are able to use marijuana recreationally without suffering ill-effects or becoming addicted.
However, for those with the signs of marijuan addiction, long-term use can result in severe, negative consequences for the user. For individuals with certain health issues, such as heart conditions or lung disease, or for teenagers who are at a higher risk of developing marijuana addiction, even short-term or occasional marijuana use may be dangerous.
Why Its So Important To Get Help For Your Cannabis Addiction
At Life Works, we know that cannabis addiction is an illness. This is central to our clinical philosophy and underpins our approach to cannabis addiction treatment. We use the very latest research to inform our understanding of how problems with cannabis use affect the individual and how we can provide effective treatment for these problems.
Feeling ashamed or guilty about your behaviour can be incredibly difficult and often increases your need to take cannabis, if only to get relief from these feelings. This is one of the most common and insidious symptoms of cannabis addiction.
This page was reviewed by Robin Clayton, Primary Therapist, in September 2021.
To discuss how the Life Works team can help to support individuals and families dealing with cannabis addiction and for further information on treatment and rehabilitation programmes, please call: 01483 745 066 or click here to book a FREE ADDICTION ASSESSMENT.
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Loss Of Interest In Hobbies And Goals
“Some individuals may become lazy while using marijuana and lose interest in pursuing certain goals and ambitions,” explains Sternlicht. Some people feel less motivated when they are under the influence of marijuana. Even when the high itself doesn’t sap your motivation, the addiction can.
Getting more marijuana or spending time getting high can become a full-time pursuit, eclipsing everything else you once cared about. The hobbies and interests that once helped you deal with stress may now feel useless compared to the draw of your addiction.
Finding Marijuana And Related Paraphernalia
Whether a concerned person finds paraphernalia accidentally or after a search, the discovery can confirm suspicions or alert individuals that drug use is occurring. It is critical to note that searching for drug paraphernalia can be construed as an invasion of privacy, but on balance with the hazards associated with marijuana abuse, it may be considered justified. The question then arises as to where to look. Individuals who are hiding marijuana use from the people with whom they reside can be very inventive.
The following is a partial list of some marijuana-specific types of paraphernalia:
- Rolling papers
- Pipes
- Cigar papers
- E-cigarettes
- Roach clips
The following are some places where persons who use marijuana or other drugs may hide drugs or paraphernalia:
- In a carved-out space at the top of a door
- In over-the-counter drug packages
- In an unopened soda can
- In hollowed-out cans
- In the lining of a speaker
- In a drop ceiling
- In the false roof of a bird house
- In a wall outlet
- Between slats of assembled furniture
Once marijuana or paraphernalia is discovered, the next issue will be determining its age or when it was last used. Old marijuana may have mold on it, be brittle, break into a near powder-like consistency, and/or not have a fresh plant-like smell. In some cases, a person may fold marijuana into an envelope or piece of paper that may have a date.
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You Smoke Marijuana On A Daily Or Regular Basis
The most obvious sign that you are addicted to marijuana is that you use it frequently. Many people use marijuana socially and dont get hooked. They may smoke a joint at a party or buy a small personal stash for themselves on occasion. This is a long way from being addicted.
If you are using marijuana multiple times a day, at least once a day, or several times a week, it is quite possible that you are a marijuana addict.
Take Our Substance Abuse Self
Take our free, 5-minute substance abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance abuse. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.
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Take The Weed Addiction Test
Here are the questions the above test asks you, if you need it.
The following yes/no questions will help you recognize whether you are addicted to weed or not.
If more than 6 of your answers were yes to the above questions, it is quite likely you have a weed addiction that is affecting your life. The most telltale signs of a weed addiction are:
- Getting anxious when your supply dwindles
- Smoking alone
- Choosing to spend time with those who have a similar habit so it appears more socially acceptable
Enhanced Negative Side Effects
Extensive data is available documenting the increased side effects edible marijuana has compared to smoked marijuana. The reason for this discrepancy stems from how THC is metabolized. When marijuana is eaten, more THC makes it to the liver. The liver breaks it down into several byproducts, including 11-hydroxy-THC, which may be more psychoactive than THC itself.
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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Cannabis Addiction
Cannabis, also commonly referred to as marijuana, weed and pot, is a psychoactive substance that is derived from the cannabis plant. As well as causing feelings of relaxation, tranquillity, sensory distortion, increased appetite and mild analgesia, cannabis consumption can result in the development of an addiction, as well as a range of associated symptoms.
Although it is often portrayed as a harmless substance, cannabis can cause a variety of temporary and long-term negative effects, which is why its so important to be able to recognise the signs and symptoms of cannabis addiction in order to receive timely, professional help & support. At Manor Clinic, our expert team possess a wealth of experience in helping people to overcome their addiction to cannabis, relieve their cannabis addiction symptoms, and achieve positive mental and physical wellbeing.
Symptoms of cannabis addiction manifest differently in different people and also depend on the amount of cannabis that you have been consuming, as well as the frequency of your cannabis use. However, the following are all common signs and symptoms that may indicate that a harmful cannabis addiction has developed.
Recognizing Signs Of Marijuana Addiction
One of the hurdles of recognizing marijuana addiction is that most people are what we know as high-functioning addicts. This means that they go to work, school, attend to their families, and function as non-addict people. Because of this, family members and friends often dont realize their loved one has an addiction until its a significant problem. Even still, here are some signs that your loved one can be struggling with marijuana addiction:
- Irritability
- Defensive when confronted about marijuana use
- Completes denies or even claims marijuana addiction isnt possible
- Feels the need to take a break from family time or work to use marijuana
- Complaints about not feeling right when not using the drug
- Cannot stop talking about how good the drug makes them feel
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What To Do If Someone You Love Is Abusing Marijuana
If someone you love is abusing marijuana, they may be in denial about the drugs potency, or their addiction. Through open communication, you may be able to help them realize they need to quit using. Here are some reasons to quit marijuana:
- Physical reasons to stop smoking pot to feel better, reduce the risk of lung cancer, and be more energetic
- Psychological reasons to stop smoking pot to reduce anxiety, get back to being happy without pot, and reduce depression
- Relationship related reasons to stop smoking pot to get out of the relationship rut that comes from smoking too much pot, find new friends, and heal from the fights or pain that marijuana has caused you and your loved ones
- Financial reasons to stop smoking pot to free up the money spent on marijuana, so you have more money to spend, put into savings, or use to pay bills
- Legal reasons to stop smoking pot to stay out of trouble with the law
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.
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From Abuse To Addiction: How To Know If Your Child Is Addicted To Weed
Substance abuse does not always turn into addiction. In certain cases, some people are able to experiment with drugs and never develop a dependency. Marijuana tends to be popularly represented as a substance you cannot become addicted to however, many find themselves relying on the drug to even feel normal.
If you observe that your child tends to be under the influence most of the time, they may rely on weed to get through the day. Many will begin to experience withdrawal symptoms without it. Symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, insomnia, or feelings of depression can all be indicators that an addiction has formed. In some cases, a person may experience more physical symptoms such as stomach aches, fever, chills, and headaches. Using weed quiets these symptoms, making a person more reliant on it.
Withdrawal from marijuana is generally not life-threatening, but it can be uncomfortable.
In some cases, feelings of depression or agitation could cause a person to put themselves in a dangerous situation. Even if you feel that marijuana addiction is not as dangerous as another illicit substance, the experience of withdrawal can have very different effects on individuals, making it especially important to enlist the help of professionals when starting the recovery process. Medical professionals are able to help make the withdrawal process as comfortable as possible while simultaneously removing the influence of enabling peers and environments.
Is Cannabis A Gateway Drug
This is the million dollar question that so many parents and those new to using cannabis may well ask. We can only answer this using the facts as we know them.
Using cannabis during your teenage years, whilst your brain is still growing and developing is very high risk.
The human brain continues to evolve until the age of 25. Excessive exposure to ANY drug can result in permanent damage to the brain and its pathways, which are particularly susceptible to chemical influence whilst still developing.
There is much evidence to suggest that starting cannabis use during teenage and young adolescent years can lead to long term complications with the brain 8
Whether cannabis becomes a gateway drug very much depends on the individual and their reasons for using cannabis.
If a person uses cannabis recreationally or as part of experimentation it doesnt necessarily open the pathway to harder drugs.
Excessive cannabis use can lead to the development of addiction, a disease which is progressive in nature and can naturally involve taking stronger and more dangerous drugs as part of its natural progression.
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Common Signs Of Marijuana Abuse
About one in six people who start using marijuana as adolescents, and up to half of people who use marijuana daily, eventually become addicted to it. Addiction means that a person cant stop using marijuana even though it interferes with many aspects of their life.
Given that marijuana can have a range of different effects depending on how its used, its not surprising that the outward signs of addiction can vary widely among individuals.
Even so, most young people who abuse marijuana demonstrate a combination of effects, including:
What To Expect When You Call A Marijuana Hotline
- I find myself craving marijuana throughout the day. Can marijuana actually cause addiction?
- I think I may have a problem with marijuana. Can you help me figure out if I need help?
- Im interested in finding help for marijuana addiction. Can you tell me where to start?
If you decide that you need treatment for marijuana addiction, the hotline representative will probably need the following information to refer you to a facility:
- Your name, phone number and address
- Date of birth
- Insurance provider, ID and group number
- Details about your marijuana use
- List of current medications
- Brief medical and mental health history
If youre considering calling a marijuana hotline, you probably have some type of problem with marijuana. Calling is risk-free, and it can be an opportunity to better your life. It may the first step that you take toward a life thats free of marijuana.
Medical Disclaimer: DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
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Effects Of High Thc Marijuana Abuse
When a person continues to abuse high THC strains marijuana, and fails to seek effective professional treatment at a rehab center or similar program, he or she may experience a broad range of negative outcomes, such as the following:
- Damage to heart and/or lungs
- Bronchitis
- Physical injury due to impaired cognition, perception, and/or coordination
- Sexual dysfunction
- Other types of substance abuse
- Cognitive delays
- Strained or ruined interpersonal relationships
- Arrest and incarceration
Dual Diagnosis
Are There Any Reasons I Would Be More Likely To Get Addicted To Marijuana
There are many factors that may predict how likely you are to get addicted to any drug. For marijuana, there are a few things that may put you at greater risk for an addiction. These may include:
Meanwhile, marijuana is legal for recreational use in:
-
17 states
-
District of Columbia
-
Guam
It is not clear if the legalization of cannabis increases the number of people who will use marijuana or the number of people who will become addicted to it. A review of 42 different studies found that the legalization of medical marijuana has little or no impact on the number of adolescents who use cannabis. But legalization may cause marijuana use to increase among people over 21 years of age. The review could not determine whether legalization leads to more individuals developing cannabis use disorder.
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Parents May Just See The Effects Of Drug Abuse
It is very typical for a young person who is abusing drugs to hide his habit from his parents. Very often, parents know nothing about the drug use. It is common for drug users to become skilled at diverting their parents attention from any indicators of drug abuse. Lying becomes routine. Those drugs you found in my backpack do not belong to me, I was just carrying them for a friend.
Parents often dont want to believe that their son or daughter was using drugs because of the many years of trust. And in order to keep the drugs coming, youth will hide their use, knowing well that in many cases their parents would put an end to it if they were honest.
You Have Had Legal Problems Because Of Pot
Have you ever been arrested for possession of marijuana? What about getting a DUI because you were caught driving stoned? Maybe you have committed fraud so you could illegally obtain the money you needed to get more weed? Whatever the situation, if you have experienced problems with the law because of your use of marijuana, you might be addicted.
Although social users often have the misfortunate luck of getting arrested for a marijuana related incident, they generally stay under the radar. Those who use weed on a regular basis greatly increase the likelihood that they will face legal consequences because of their habit.
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