Unfortunately, there is a dark side to all this neural spotlighting. If everything is highlighted as meaningful, then nothing can really stand out. What use is a watering can, after all, if the fields are flooded?

Treatment for Marijuana Addiction

• Marijuana can also have side effects, such as impaired memory and cognition, increased heart rate, and anxiety, particularly when consumed in high doses or by individuals sensitive to its effects.
• The reality is that both pose significant risk, especially to young people.
• Regular marijuana use may cause you to have more pain after surgery.
• For many individuals this action can become addictive, which is the basic mechanism of how substance abuse begins.
• “There are people who have a glass or two of wine a day,” said Hart.
• Cannabis dependence is a real and challenging condition, but it’s not a life sentence.

Together, these consequences create a cycle that perpetuates CUD, impacting all aspects of an individual’s life. Put differently, to understand why people consume cannabis, we must get to know them as individuals. Social facilitation was the main reason given for using marijuana or alcohol.

Are You Addicted to Cannabis?

This means you can’t stop using it even if it harms your relationships, school, job, health, or finances. The CDC states that you have a 10% risk of a cannabis use disorder if you use marijuana. Studies note that early marijuana use can interrupt the normal development of gray matter, a type of brain tissue that helps control mental functions, increasing schizophrenia risks. Early exposure to marijuana is also linked to changes in areas of the brain that are often connected with psychosis.

• People who use marijuana a lot are more likely to be jobless and not happy with life.
• Amanda Stevens is a highly respected figure in the field of medical content writing, with a specific focus on eating disorders and addiction treatment.
• However, it is important to know it can be an addiction and there are rehabilitation treatments out there to help anyone struggling with Cannabis abuse.
• They’re not driving under the influence of the drug or using the drug at work.
• Epstein 1999 indicates that the earlier adolescents starts using cannabis, the more likely they are to become dependent on this or other illicit drugs later in life.

Yes, marijuana can be addictive — but it’s not like other addictive drugs. Here’s why

Insomnia can persist for many months, often pushing individuals to relapse and to return to marijuana. Anxiety and depression are also common outcomes of marijuana abuse that can persist for months, often leading is marijuana addictive to relapse. Professional treatment is needed to provide counseling, behavioral coaching, and prescribed medications that can relieve these symptoms and the individual’s desire to self-medicate. All substances that affect the mind carry their own set of risks and harms, some unique to the substance.

Why Is Weed Addictive?

What we do know is that more people are consuming weed regularly. The number of adults in the U.S. who smoke marijuana has more than doubled since 2013. Regular cannabis use can lead to coughing, wheezing, phlegm, and a higher risk of respiratory infections. This may cause your airways to be more sensitive, which could cause problems when your doctor puts in or takes out your breathing tube. Along with having trouble breathing, you might feel like you’re having an asthma attack or have less oxygen in your lungs.

What to do if Someone You Love is Abusing Marijuana?

The right strategy depends on the person’s lifestyle and the severity of CUD. Someone with CUD may experience cravings and an increased tolerance for cannabis. They may also neglect social or work obligations to use the substance.