Can You Get Addicted to Marijuana?

People who have cannabis use disorder may also be at a higher risk of other negative consequences, such as problems with attention, memory, and learning. For many, it’s difficult to imagine a life in which using drugs is more important than spending time with friends or doing favorite hobbies. It’s certainly difficult to imagine using drugs despite major consequences, such as a suspended driver’s license or prison time. A 2014 study examined people who use drugs and who came to the emergency room with drug-related problems, which is a strong indicator that something is not manageable. “Marijuana-addicted people rarely present for treatment,” said Stalcup. “So, a lot of the people we see have gotten caught up in the legal system.

Is Marijuana Physically or Psychologically Addictive?

• Cannabis use disorder, or marijuana use disorder, results from chronic cannabis use.
• The CDC states that you have a 10% risk of a cannabis use disorder if you use marijuana.
• Unfortunately, some prescription medications can be addictive, and medical marijuana can also lead to cannabis use disorder.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. A 2018 review suggests that cannabis may have less effect on dopamine than alcohol and opioids and highlights the need for further research. Similarly, another 2018 review suggests that cannabis does affect dopamine but to a lesser extent than other drugs. Over time, use may undermine dopamine production, causing someone to use more of the drug or to use it more often to attain the same feelings of pleasure, which can lead to dependence and addiction.

How to Use Medical Marijuana

In addition, experts are investigating whether there are specific medications that can help with cannabis use disorder. There are currently no medications approved for the treatment of cannabis use disorder. Today, marijuana typically contains more THC than in the past. 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. Researchers are investigating if higher potency is the reason for an increase in emergency department visits by people testing positive for marijuana.

Is cannabis a “gateway” drug?

Marijuana use disorder, also known as cannabis use disorder, is when the use of marijuana negatively impacts a person’s health or life but they continue to use it anyway. But you may get better if you try psychotherapy, or talk therapy. That includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational enhancement therapy (MET), and contingency management (CM).

• You could also try to set limits such as only using marijuana  on certain days of the week, like the weekends.
• About 90 percent of the people who used drugs and their primary drug of choice wasn’t marijuana met the criteria for abuse, compared to 47 percent of primary marijuana users.
• You might have nightmares, insomnia, or bad sleep quality.
• However, it would be challenging to adjust for these differences accurately.
• The amount of marijuana used and its frequency play a major role.
• Though these symptoms can be unpleasant, they’re not usually life-threatening like the withdrawal symptoms from alcohol or opioids.

In light of the legalization of marijuana, many people have wondered about the substance, its safety, and whether it’s addictive. Marijuana—also called weed, cannabis, and other names—is a species of plant that is used as a medical and recreational drug. Medications such as antidepressants may be prescribed to treat co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. You can consult your healthcare professional to see if this is a viable treatment option. How it affects you will depend on a lot of different factors, including your age, the amount and type you use, and any other medications or drugs you take. But so far, it’s clear that you should avoid all forms of it, including CBD products, if you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or nursing.

Mental health issues, like an anxiety or a mood disorder, can raise your chances, too. 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. Marijuana is made up of many components called cannabinoids. Two of these components, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have effects that are commonly known to people who use marijuana. THC is known as the substance that makes a person feel a “high,” while CBD often promotes a feeling of relaxation.

CUD and Pregnancy

This means that when the drug wears off, the person’s heart could start to race, they could become irritable or depressed, or experience any number of other reactions called withdrawal. Volkow thinks that this decreased response to dopamine is likely caused by marijuana use. Another possibility is that marijuana users who become misusers have a dopamine system that’s naturally less responsive, making them more vulnerable to abusing the drug.

Other mental health considerations have been noted in people with cannabis dependence as well. When a person is physically addicted to a drug, they will experience physical or mental withdrawal symptoms when they stop consuming it. is marijuana addictive Physical dependence occurs when the body builds a tolerance to a drug and requires more of it to achieve a certain effect. Unfortunately, some prescription medications can be addictive, and medical marijuana can also lead to cannabis use disorder. According to a study from the Massachusetts General Hospital, medical marijuana can lead to cannabis use disorder.9 The highest risk came from the people who use medical marijuana to relieve anxiety and depression. Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or motivational enhancement therapy, are often included in treatment plans for cannabis use disorder.