Aside from alcohol, marijuana is one of the most frequently abused drugs in the United States, particularly among young people. Federally, it is still considered a controlled substance even though some uses have been legalized by some states. Despite its varying legal status, marijuana use can lead to abuse and addiction.
What is marijuana?
Marijuana is a drug derived from the Cannabis sativa plant that can act as a depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogen depending on the type or strain used. Marijuana is made up of the plant’s leaves, flowers, and seeds. It contains hundreds of chemicals including over 100 cannabinoids that have different mild-altering effects. The main psychoactive element in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which is largely responsible for the drug’s characteristic high.
Marijuana is known to produce mildly euphoric and hallucinogenic effects in addition to altering mood, leading users to become more relaxed and experiencing a reduced sensation of pain. This is one of the reasons why marijuana can be prescribed by a doctor to treat pain disorders. These pleasurable effects also underlie its popularity among recreational drug users.
Ways marijuana is used
Smoking is the most common way to consume marijuana. The plant’s leaves and flowers are dried and can be smoked in a variety of ways including as a rolled up cigarette or joint or from a pipe or bong. In addition to smoking the plant, marijuana can also be consumed as a resin with a high concentration of THC. Marijuana can also be baked into food, commonly known as edibles, or brewed as a tea.
The drug’s effects can vary according to the method of consumption. When marijuana is smoked, the effect may not be as powerful or long-lasting as it is when it is consumed as a highly concentrated resin or ingested. In edibles, the effects of marijuana can last up to 12 hours, which is twice as long as they last when smoked.
Marijuana has wide-ranging effects on the mind and body. In addition to its euphoric or relaxing effects, marijuana may also cause some unpleasant side effects that range from uncomfortable physical changes to intense psychotic symptoms. Severe side effects may be more likely when marijuana is taken at higher doses. When ingesting edibles, this may occur because it can take hours for the initial effects to be felt, leading individuals to accidentally ingest higher doses than intended.
Cognitive effects
Some common short-term cognitive and psychological effects include:
- Tiredness
- Impaired judgment
- Memory impairment
- Changes in perception of time
- Drowsiness
- Slowed reaction time
- Impaired coordination
- Paranoia
Physical effects
Marijuana also causes various changes on the body. These physical effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Increased heart rate
- Breathing problems
- Changes in appetite
- Bloodshot eyes
- Nausea and vomiting
When marijuana is used for extended periods of time, it can lead to more serious health risks including respiratory-related issues and long-term memory impairment among others. Since marijuana is often smoked, marijuana use is associated with lung problems and other respiratory illnesses as well as increased blood pressure and chronic cough. Its short-term effects on the cardiac system can also pose a danger to people with cardiac problems. Marijuana can also lead to indirect physical harm if used while driving or performing other risky tasks that require good motor coordination and judgment.
In addition to these physical effects, marijuana can also lead to the development of long-term psychological problems ranging from anxiety to depression. Since it has detrimental effects on memory and cognition, it can also affect development when used by young people or pregnant women. Its effects on learning and memory may become irreversible over time with heavy use.
How addictive is marijuana?
According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), marijuana is a Schedule I substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Up to 30% of people who use marijuana suffer from cannabis use disorder. Addiction is even more likely for those who begin using the drug before the age of 18. Its pleasure and relaxation-inducing effects motivate people to use marijuana repeatedly. For some people, smoking marijuana becomes a daily occurrence. This may lead to physical dependence, which makes it harder to quit using it.
Signs of marijuana addiction
Marijuana addiction is officially diagnosed as Cannabis Use Disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Several behavioral symptoms may be present in cannabis use disorder but only two of them are required to meet diagnostic criteria. These criteria include:
- Using marijuana more often or at higher doses than intended
- Failed attempts to quit using marijuana or cannabis
- Increased amount of time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from cannabis use
- Intense cravings for the drug
- Neglecting professional, family, or social responsibilities due to cannabis use
- Continued marijuana use despite interpersonal problems it may cause
- Lack of interest in hobbies or other activities one used to enjoy
- Using marijuana in situations that are dangerous such as while driving
- Continued marijuana use despite its detrimental effects on physical or psychological issues
- Tolerance, requiring higher doses of cannabis to produce the same effect
- Withdrawal symptoms that occur when cannabis use is reduced or discontinued
Marijuana Withdrawal
Withdrawal occurs when there is a physical dependence on marijuana. In other words, when marijuana is used so frequently that the body can no longer function normally without it. Attempts to cut back lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms including:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Appetite changes
- Depression
- Fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Excessive sweating
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
Withdrawal symptoms may begin within a few days since last use, peaking around one week later. The symptoms tend to be more severe with more severe and prolonged addiction. Withdrawal symptoms make it difficult for individuals to safely quit using marijuana on their own. Since resuming marijuana use decreases withdrawal symptoms, people may be motivated to continue using.
Marijuana addiction treatment
Marijuana addiction may require treatment, especially if marijuana use is concurrent with other substance use or other mental health disorders. Treatment for marijuana addiction begins with medical detox, which can support individuals through the withdrawal process. Through round-the-clock medical care, withdrawal symptoms can be managed until the drug is fully eliminated from the body.
Following detox, addiction treatment can take many forms depending on individual need. A comprehensive rehab program includes a combination of individual behavioral therapy as well as group therapy sessions. Some common therapeutic interventions for marijuana addiction include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational enhancement therapy (MET). CBT can target unhealthy thoughts and behaviors to establish better self-control over substance use. MET produces greater internal motivation to change substance use behaviors.
Marijuana addiction FAQs
Can I become addicted to marijuana if it was prescribed by a doctor?
Even if used as prescribed, marijuana use has the potential to become an addiction. It’s important to talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing signs or behaviors of substance abuse while taking marijuana by prescription.
Is it possible to overdose on marijuana?
Though lethal overdose is unlikely, it is possible to consume toxic amounts of THC. This can lead to anxiety, nausea or vomiting, hallucinations, and increased heart rate. Lethal overdose is possible if marijuana is combined with other substances like alcohol or opioids.
What are some medical uses for marijuana?
Marijuana has been prescribed to treat medical conditions such as chronic pain, spasms or seizures, and nausea like that caused by chemotherapy.
How long will marijuana stay in my system?
The length of time that marijuana stays in the body depends on the individual and the extent of their use. For example, marijuana can be detected in urine for several days after last use, but if marijuana is smoked frequently, it is detectable for weeks.
Effective substance use treatment requires a careful assessment of each person’s needs and recovery goals.
At Austin Pines Ranch, we offer an extensive array of programs and services to accommodate those needs, taking into account personal and professional obligations and time commitment. With the help of a professional team, we will evaluate substance abuse history, mental health, and psychosocial status to determine the level of care that’s best suited for you.
