Marijuana Addiction

Cannabis is also known as marijuana, the plant is native to Central Asia and is the most commonly used illegal drug in the world. Marijuana is the third most popular drug used after tobacco and alcohol. Proof of the popularity of marijuana is found in the fact that the drug is the one most commonly related to drug offenses, arrests for cannabis comprise more than 70% of all drug-related arrests in the United States.

Cannabis sativa is the plant that marijuana, hash oil and hashish come from. The leaves of the Cannabis plant are dried and smoked, baked into foods or steeped and made into tea. On the street, Cannabis is known by many different names such as reefer, hash, pot, dope, grass, mary jane and several others.

Each year more than 150,000 people all over the United States enter treatment programs for marijuana addiction. An addiction to marijuana is characterized by a compulsive, oftentimes, uncontrollable craving and compulsion to use marijuana. A person with an addiction to marijuana will continue to use the drug, even when knowing there are negative consequences involved.

There are certain signs and symptoms associated with a marijuana addiction which include, but are not limited to the following:

• Tolerance to marijuana
• Using marijuana more than intended
• Unsuccessful efforts to decrease or control marijuana usage
• Spending a great deal of time using marijuana
• Continuing to use marijuana no matter what the outcome or consequences

Marijuana addiction is both emotional and mental; the person addicted will avoid friends who do not use and seek out others who do. The cost of an addiction to marijuana to an individual escalates over time and the user may suffer health consequences, social isolation, memory and learning difficulties and lose a job because of chronic tardiness or absenteeism. The addiction is a no-win situation and often the user will justify using marijuana as a solution to escape all the stresses and problems associated with using.

The effects of a marijuana addiction on the human body are severe, when marijuana is smoked the chemicals travel quickly to other parts of the body and into the brain where it binds to certain receptor on nerve cells. The areas of the brain most commonly affected by a marijuana addiction control thoughts, memory, senses, concentration, time perception, thought, pleasure and coordination.

In addition to the problems that occur as a result of a marijuana addiction, there are also more severe consequences that can result. Marijuana use has been directly linked to a marked increase of certain cancers. A research study done by Swedish researchers in 2006 discovered a definitive link between chronic marijuana use and certain forms of mental illness.

Many people who suffer from an addiction to marijuana also use other harder, more dangerous illicit drugs in combination. The condition is called a dual diagnosis and to be overcome successfully requires skilled medical attention and the services of a rehabilitation facility.

If you or someone you love has an addiction to marijuana, there is help available. Please contact us today for further assistance.

Go to Meth Addiction