In the United States, our attitudes toward marijuana consumption are changing. Amid a national push to fully legalize recreational marijuana, there’s a darker side of the drug that rarely gets mentioned. Because of increasing acceptance of its use, a wider range of people are at risk of developing a chemical dependency to marijuana and related cannabinoid products.
It is estimated that around 30% of all cannabis users will develop a marijuana use disorder. Those numbers are even higher for people who begin regularly using the drug during adolescence. In total, around 4 million people a year show clinical signs of marijuana addiction.
If you are concerned that you’ve become dependent on marijuana dependency, there is good news. Help is available. And here at Authentic Recovery Center, we treat marijuana dependency in a safe, supportive environment using evidence-based, trauma-informed holistic treatment methods.
There is a common misconception that you cannot become addicted to marijuana. Unfortunately, this is just a myth. Marijuana addiction can happen to anyone who uses the drug with regularity.
Here are some key signs and symptoms to look out for if you suspect that you or your loved one is experiencing a problem stopping marijuana use.
- Negative impact on your career and social life
- Daily cravings
- Increased tolerance
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Inability to engage in daily tasks
- Impairment during inappropriate or dangerous situations
- Desire to stop using without being able to
Marijuana dependency can be much harder to spot than other substance abuse issues. Heavy users tend to lack motivation and avoid social engagement. In extreme cases, however, habitual marijuana use can lead to short-term psychosis. According to the DSM-5, any combination of two or more of the preceding symptoms indicates that you may have marijuana use disorder.
Marijuana can be a deceptive drug. There is a cult of personality surrounding its use and no shortage of false information regarding marijuana’s effects. Many adherents will tell you that marijuana is non-addictive, but the truth is to the contrary. Habitual cannabis use can have a profound and detrimental effect on your social life as well as your psychosocial wellbeing.
At ARC, we employ a mix of traditional, psychiatric and therapeutic care. Once you begin treatment with us, we can help you leave your marijuana dependency behind as you identify new, more effective ways to manage your anxiety, depression or other underlying issues.
