Is Marijuana Addictive?
In the 60s and 70s, when young adults brought marijuana into the mainstream, the answer to this question was no. However, these days, the answer is yes. Marijuana can be addictive due to the high content of THC (the psychoactive compound in marijuana) present in many common strains.
THC provides the euphoric high that causes some users to become addicted. In states where marijuana is legal, this high-potency marijuana is prevalent in the different forms offered at dispensaries and purchased illegally.
There has been an increase in potent strains of marijuana as the industry has advanced. Not surprisingly, this has made marijuana addiction, also referred to as marijuana use disorder or cannabis use disorder, an ever-growing problem in communities where it’s legal.
The effects of high levels of THC or marijuana overdose include:
- Changes in sensory perception: brighter colors, enhanced taste
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Reduced memory recall
- Abnormal heart rate
- Blood pressure changes
- Heart attack
- Abnormal heart rate
- Low energy
- Changes in work, school, or athletic performance
- Enhanced relaxation
- Low appetite followed by binging
- Breathing problems (coughing and wheezing)
Is Marijuana Dangerous?
The short answer is yes. While fatal overdose is rare, marijuana use can lead to other drug use and overdose.
Marijuana overdose can cause:
- Severe nausea and physical pain from vomiting
- High confusion, panic, and anxiety
- Hallucinations
- High blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
Like any drug, people often reach for marijuana for relaxation and self-medicating. These are examples of why marijuana use is so prevalent and how it can easily take hold.
How to Tell if Someone Is Addicted to Marijuana
When someone is abusing marijuana, the signs are apparent:
- Marijuana usage is in larger amounts over more extended periods
- Unsuccessful efforts to cut down on marijuana use
- Time spent trying to obtain marijuana
- Intense cravings to use marijuana
- Failure to fulfill work, school, and family obligations
- Physical or psychological issues due to marijuana use
- High tolerance for marijuana
- Withdrawal symptoms when going with marijuana
- Using marijuana in places where it could be hazardous.
- Purchasing marijuana illegally
- Marijuana withdrawal signs
Since marijuana addiction can lead to other drugs, which can be fatal, it’s crucial to treat marijuana addiction as seriously as any other addiction. Hence, anyone meeting at least two of these criteria in the past 12 months may suffer from a substance use disorder and should seek our marijuana addiction treatment in Boulder, CO.
While some people may try and detox at home by going cold turkey, it’s always safest to seek professional help in a quality rehab facility.
What Happens in Addiction Rehab for Marijuana?
Once a marijuana user has checked into our addiction treatment center, they will begin to experience withdrawal symptoms that may include:
- Anxiety
- Loss of appetite
- Uncontrollable drooling
- Aggressive behaviour
- Mood swings
- Low heart rate
- Irritability
A medically-assisted detox and behavioral therapy can decrease relapse risk, making withdrawal symptoms less severe. Our marijuana addiction treatment in Boulder, CO, offers 24/7 support from a trained and compassionate medical team with medications available to ease discomfort if necessary.
Those interested in marijuana addiction rehab counseling at Flatirons Recovery in Boulder may engage in a medical detoxification program for a clinically determined period of 2-7 days to ensure that a client is medically stable.
However, suppose a potential client is using marijuana exclusively. In that case, a detoxification period may not be necessary due to the relatively mild withdrawal symptoms typically associated with its use. Our marijuana addiction treatment in Boulder, CO, typically begins in our PHP/Day Treatment program for at least 4 weeks.
From there, clients often step down into our IOP for 4-12 weeks while continuing to work with their therapeutic team on a plan to address support needs that will be crucial to maintaining recovery after treatment ends.
