There is absolutely no research that indicates this level of THC is beneficial for any medical condition. The purpose of these products is to produce a high, and the increased potency makes them potentially more dangerous and more likely to result in addiction. Advocates for the legalization of medical and retail marijuana are quick to point out all the possible benefits that a community might see from such a venture. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational enhancement therapy (MET), and contingency management (CM) have all been used in treating cannabis use disorder, and it was found that a combination of all three might be most effective. These signs, along with any negative consequences from marijuana use, may signal a drug abuse problem.
What is Marijuana Addiction?
Psychotherapy is the most common and effective form of treatment for marijuana addiction. Recent studies suggest that smoking high-potency marijuana daily can increase an individual’s chance of developing psychosis by almost five times more than a person who does not use marijuana. Other mental health effects can include depression, what is alcoholism social anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
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- Marijuana addiction, clinically referred to as cannabis use disorder (CUD), is a compulsive pattern of cannabis use despite adverse consequences, according to Zehra A.
- Not everyone who uses marijuana becomes addicted, but those who do may struggle with cannabis dependence that affects their daily life.
- But it has approved certain purified substances derived from marijuana (analogs).
Marijuana smoke contains many of the same harmful components as tobacco smoke. Because of this, you should avoid smoking marijuana around a baby or children. Marijuana is a mind-alerting substance that comes from the Cannabis sativa plant. It has several short-term and long-term effects, many of which scientists are still studying. By the same logic, alcohol shouldn’t be commercially available either, but it is in much of the world.
Are There Medications Specifically for Treating Marijuana Addiction?
- Although the high lasts only a few hours after smoking, THC is stored in fat cells and expelled from the body over a period of days or weeks.
- Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Neurofeedback Therapy regulate brain activity, reduce cravings, and stabilise mood.
- Fortunately, there are many types of treatment for cannabis use disorder.
- Information provided by NIDA is not a substitute for professional medical care or legal consultation.
- Possession can still carry legal consequences, even though conversations around decriminalisation and legalisation frequently resurface.
They will likely cut back on activities that previously brought them joy or withdraw from them altogether. It’s important to turn to healthy coping mechanisms during these times of change, such as exercising, meditating or learning a new hobby. Consider seeing a mental health professional if you’re having issues managing your stress. Your healthcare provider should review your treatment plan with you and adapt it based on your changing needs. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), you must have at least two signs in the symptoms section for over 12 months to be diagnosed with cannabis use disorder.
Marijuana Dependence and Its Treatment
In one preclinical study, chronically administering a synthetic cannabinoid agonist to adolescent rats impaired short-term working memory in adulthood (Renard et al. 2016). Specifically, this chronic cannabinoid exposure altered PFC structure and impaired cortical synaptic plasticity from reduced long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus-PFC circuit. These findings support the theory that adolescent cannabis use causes lasting deficits in memory.
Alpha Healing Center Marijuana Addiction Rehab Programmes and Therapies
A 2023 study of cannabis use in young adults in South Florida also found varying knowledge about this substance among participants. Researchers suggest that most people’s knowledge comes from personal experience and anecdotal evidence. If you take large doses of high potency marijuana, you may even be vulnerable to severe reactions. These can include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, heart attack, and a worsening of symptoms if you have schizophrenia or another mental health disorder. A report released by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that about six million Americans struggled with marijuana use disorder in the year studied.
Psychological effects are changes in mood and emotional state that occur when an individual stops using marijuana. The severity of these effects is significant, often leading to distress and difficulty in daily functioning. Common examples include mood swings, anxiety, depression, irritability, agitation, restlessness and insomnia.
- It can range from mild to severe, depending on how many symptoms a person experiences over a 12-month period.
- This is critical in light of recent findings demonstrating an increase in cannabis use and CUD and a corresponding decrease in the perceived risk of cannabis (Carliner et al. 2017; Hasin 2018).
- Dependence usually means your body and mind have become used to having cannabis.
What Is the Difference Between Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoids?
The first one, known as Cell Adhesion Molecule 2 (CADM2), has previously been linked to impulsive personality, obesity, and cancer metastasis. If you’re unsure whether your use is becoming a problem, ask yourself how much control you have over it—and whether it’s impacting your life. Weed addiction may not look the same as other substance use disorders, but it deserves just as much weed addictive attention. Peer support and one-on-one therapy provide a space to explore underlying issues—such as trauma, stress, or mental health—that may drive cannabis use. Delta-8 THC is another intoxicating cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant.