Marijuana

It’s okay to admit you need help. Our marijuana abuse treatment programs are judgement-free and effective in helping you reclaim your life.

Is Weed Addictive?

There remains a longstanding myth that marijuana isn’t addictive. That’s not the case. Not everyone will find themselves relying on marijuana to function. But it is very possible to develop a dependence on marijuana, which can lead to substance use disorder. When the brain becomes dependent on the psychoactive compound in marijuana, withdrawal can occur with sudden abstinence. Symptoms of marijuana withdrawal can include cravings, mood disorders, irritability, restlessness and sleep disturbances.

The majority of people who use illegal drugs today began with marijuana. It’s not surprising, then, that marijuana serves as a “gateway” to harder, more addictive drugs like cocaine and meth. Studies show that marijuana use as a teenager is strongly associated with drug abuse as an adult. Also, THC can alter the brain’s neural pathways over time, increasing the likelihood of dependence. Many of the Niznik Behavioral Health facilities provide medically supervised detox to make a withdrawal from any substance comfortable and manageable.

THC can be concentrated in hashish oil, in a wax-like substance called “budder,” or in a hard, glasslike substance called “shatter.” All of these substances are considerably more potent than plant-based marijuana.

Facts About Marijuana

Marijuana — known by a wide variety of names, including “weed,” “pot,” “bud,” “ganga” — comes from the flowers of the Cannabis sativa plant. As a psychoactive substance, its properties can be unpredictable. Depending on the potency, quantity and person consuming it, marijuana can act as a depressant, stimulant, even a hallucinogen. 

Marijuana is no longer illegal for recreational use in several states, and much of the social stigma of marijuana consumption has gone away. As a result, companies of all sizes are seeking to monetize the marijuana experience. In the past, the majority of people smoked marijuana through small cigarettes (“joints”), through glass pipes or water pipes (“bongs”). However, today, an increasing number of marijuana users prefer to use a vaporizer. There are more edible options available for purchase, including candies, gummies and other items that are especially appealing to young people.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse offers a number of marijuana addiction stats that may come as a surprise:

  • Approximately 2.6 million people in the U.S. use marijuana for the first time each year 
  • 9% of people who use marijuana will come to depend on it
  • Of those who start using marijuana in their teens, 17% will become dependent

Symptoms of Marijuana Dependence

Some people are capable of using marijuana occasionally or recreationally, just as some people can enjoy a beer or two without having more. Other people will become dependent on marijuana in order to function. Signs that your marijuana use has gotten out of control include: 

  • Not tending to commitments and responsibilities
  • Surrounding oneself only with people who use marijuana
  • Loss of control over how much marijuana you use
  • Attempting to cut down but failing
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when cutting down use
  • Spending a lot of finding marijuana, getting high, and recovering 
  • Isolating from friends and family 
  • Stealing, lying, etc. to obtain marijuana
  • Using marijuana as a means of escape
  • Development of a tolerance for marijuana

If you recognize these symptoms, you may have developed an addiction to marijuana. Niznik Behavioral Health has the tools to help you break the cycle. Don’t wait. We can help you find peace without the need for weed.

Treating Marijuana Addiction

Niznik Behavioral Health treats a wide variety of substance abuse types at our facilities across the country. In our experience, some of the best treatments available for marijuana abuse and drug addiction are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy.

These effective, evidence-based therapies give you tools not only to handle cravings but also encourage you to deal with your emotions directly without needing to rely on marijuana.

Marijuana addiction is real. If you’re struggling to function without marijuana (or any other substance, for that matter), reach out to Niznik Behavioral Health today.

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