Professor explores marijuana’s safe use and addiction Harvard Gazette

Following detox, ongoing therapy and support are essential for addressing the underlying reasons for cannabis use, developing coping strategies, and preventing relapse. Detoxification is a crucial first step in treating CUD, designed to safely manage withdrawal symptoms as the body clears itself of THC. Recognizing the signs of cannabis addiction, or CUD is crucial or identifying when casual use has transitioned into a dependency that impacts daily functioning. However, regular and prolonged exposure to cannabis adjusts the brain to these higher dopamine levels, making it less responsive to THC and even the body’s own endocannabinoids. For instance, marijuana confiscated by law enforcement today contains an average of 15% THC compared to less than 4% in marijuana confiscated in the 1990s.

Marijuana Withdrawal

Using marijuana may raise your chances of clinical depression or worsen the symptoms of a mental health condition that you already have. Despite its widespread use, many more studies are needed to understand how regular marijuana use may affect your brain and body. Indeed, therapists like Norton and Trogden often use the diagnosis of cannabis use disorder (CUD) when a client is struggling with cannabis use in a way that it is interfering with their relationships and everyday life.

When I have a patient who may have a cannabis use disorder, I like to discuss what that means. This includes dependence, is marijuana addictive which I mentioned earlier, the tolerance and withdrawal. While most people do not develop cannabis use disorder, it can happen.

What are the risk factors for cannabis use disorder?

The truth is, cannabis dependence is a complex issue that deserves our attention and understanding. Chronic marijuana use causes physiological changes in the brain that may contribute to misuse and dependence. THC is responsible for the reinforcing properties of marijuana and subsequent addiction because it stimulates the brain’s reward system and promotes the release of dopamine, a “feel-good” hormone. This is at a higher level than normally seen with naturally rewarding stimuli, which can lead to addiction. Yes, based on current research, marijuana can be physically or psychologically addictive.5 Not everyone who uses marijuana will become addicted, but it’s possible. The risk is greatest in people who use marijuana before the age of 18 or use it heavily.

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• In 2014, states that had legalized medical marijuana reported a 25 percent drop in deaths resulting from an overdose of pain medication.
• Some of these may treat mental health problems that worsen CUD.
• There’s evidence that it was used in Central Asia and Western China to treat health issues such as arthritis, asthma, pain, and depression.
• If you think you’re addicted to marijuana, getting an early diagnosis can help with treatment and prevent the risk of chronic conditions like schizophrenia.

Cannabis is also known as marijuana, hash, weed, grass, and pot. Marijuana is one of the most widely used drugs in the United States, but it can have serious health consequences as well as other negative effects on a person’s life. There are some signs to watch out for that suggest a person might be addicted to weed.

• According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 21.8% of people 12 years or older used cannabis in 2023, with the highest percentage of use among young adults ages 18 to 25 years.
• By becoming physically dependant your body may go into cannabis withdrawal.
• Yale doctors have also conducted studies to measure the effects of combining psychotherapies to treat cannabis dependence.
• Other mental health considerations have been noted in people with cannabis dependence as well.
• THC is known as the substance that makes a person feel a “high,” while CBD often promotes a feeling of relaxation.

Amanda Stevens is a highly respected figure in the field of medical content writing, with a specific focus on eating disorders and addiction treatment. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Purdue University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, which serves as a strong educational foundation for her contributions. 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. Key to navigating this is building a robust set of healthy coping mechanisms for stress, anxiety, and life’s larger hurdles, which can significantly reduce the appeal of turning to substances for relief. While abstaining from use altogether is a foolproof method to avoid addiction, it’s recognized that some individuals may still want to casually use cannabis without developing a dependency. There are serious ripple effects of CUD, majorly physical, emotional, and social consequences posed to those affected.

Adverse Social Effects

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• Addiction is an illness that changes the way the brain functions.
• Medicinal marijuana is used to treat and manage a variety of medical concerns, including physical and mental health challenges.
• A 2018 study estimated that 15 percent of Americans had used marijuana in the previous year.

Nearly 90 percent of people who use medicinal marijuana claim that it helps them to manage their disease and symptoms, and many find that they are able to decrease their use of other medications. Substance dependence, also called chemical dependence, is when a person experiences physical dependence on a substance but is not addicted to it. One example is when a person who has taken a prescription medication for a long time stops taking that medication and experiences physical or mental withdrawal symptoms.

Coping With Marijuana Abuse

There are a variety of treatments available, and if one doesn’t work, another one may be better for you. There are multiple treatments available, like talk therapy, support groups, and even medication when necessary for underlying issues. Research suggests that about 30% of people who use marijuana might have marijuana use disorder, the severity of which can vary.

However, experts agree there are usually more contributing factors, such as environment, access to marijuana, socioeconomic status, and more. Another study found that those who begin using marijuana before the age of 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop a cannabis use disorder later in life. Experts are finding a link between the age you begin using cannabis and the likelihood that you’ll develop a dependence on it. One study found that people who used cannabis starting at age 14 to 15 had a higher probability of developing dependence. On the other hand, for those who started using cannabis after age 15, the risk of developing a dependence drastically decreased.

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What we do know, though, is that usually the use of cannabis can make those symptoms worse over time. In terms of overdose, there is no evidence or reported cases of overdose directly in adults. But I noted that the cannabis industry is growing and there’s a lot more ways to get cannabis and it’s very potent. So, increased ER visits and poison center calls have been related to cannabis, especially among children and youth. And this oftentimes has to do with how this cannabis is packaged. It might be in something that is attractive to young people like candies or chocolates or flavored juices and so on.