The relationship between people and marijuana is a complicated one. On one hand, marijuana can be used to treat many ailments, including anxiety, PTSD, and sleep disorders. Yet, marijuana can also be habit-forming. Despite popular belief, there is such a thing as marijuana addiction.
According to a report by the NIH, cannabis use disorder can cause “craving, withdrawal, lack of control, and negative effects on personal and professional responsibilities.” Similarly, “the use of cannabis, especially frequent use, has been linked to a higher risk of developing schizophrenia or other psychoses (severe mental illnesses) in people who are predisposed to these illnesses.”
Marijuana is a mind-altering substance and anything that alters the mind and releases dopamine—the “feel good” chemical in your brain—can be addictive. Food is not an addictive substance but if your brain releases that “feel good” chemical when you eat chips or sugary snacks, for example, you can become addicted to eating those foods. The same can be said about social media. It is not addictive in itself, but your brain can form an addiction if those pleasure centers are highly activated during your time on social media. This creates dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex in the brain, which is responsible for addiction.
This is all to say that marijuana is not the friendly cure-all that many think it is. If handled irresponsibly, marijuana use can become addictive and lead to dire consequences. The trouble with marijuana is, like other prescription drugs, it can be hard to regulate usage, especially with recreational marijuana becoming legal in more and more states.
When you are wondering if you are using too much marijuana or may have an addiction, try asking yourself these questions:
If the answer is yes to any of these questions then you may be addicted to this substance.
Another problem is that marijuana use may lead to other kinds of substance use. As mentioned earlier, marijuana is a mind-altering substance. When those are introduced into your body, you may crave higher doses, more frequent use, or other substances that produce a more intense high. You may find that you are drinking more after you ingest marijuana or that you have begun to use more intense substances. There are resources to help you with those problems too.
Simply identifying a problem does not help you, though admitting you have a problem is a huge step in a positive direction. It may not feel like it, but identification of a problem is half the battle when it comes to overcoming something. Maybe you have tried to cut down on your own but, despite your best efforts, it has not worked out.
Try replacing your habit with something less harmful and more positive, like exercise. There is a major difference between habit and addiction. When you create a habit, you are creating neuro-pathways in your brain that associate one thing with another. For example, any time you would normally use marijuana, instead take a walk around the block. What this will do over time is, instead of wanting to use marijuana, your brain will start associating the craving feeling with exercise.
If you have tried this method and it has not worked, seek professional help. This step can be challenging for you to do. You may have negative or mixed feelings at the thought of seeking professional help, but you do not need to. There are plenty of people who need help with addiction.
Think of your addiction as a mental disease, because that is what it is. If you have a physical disorder, you go and see a doctor. When you have substance use disorder (SUD), you go and see a specialized addiction recovery doctor. You would not let a broken arm go unchecked if you felt guilty about how you broke it; think of addiction with the same mindset.
It can still be scary thinking about going to a facility for recovery. Keep in mind that you are doing this so you can enjoy life. SUD can be debilitating and it can create a chokehold on your life. You can lose friends and family over it. Once you enter recovery, your life will change for the better. That is not to say it is always easy, but being in recovery will give you the tools to face challenges and overcome them with a clear mind and a healthy body. That in itself is a great reward.
Your relationship with marijuana can be complicated, especially if you are using it to treat other ailments like anxiety or a sleep disorder. Luckily there are people who can help. NorthStar Transitions, located in Boulder, CO, can be the place to find that help. We offer dual diagnosis so we can treat not only your SUD but also the underlying issues that may have driven you to substance abuse in the first place. Our experienced staff can help you navigate the best treatment options and long-term recovery. We offer support for those who are having issues with substance abuse whether it is your first time in treatment or you're recovering from a relapse. If you or someone you know needs a guide to achieve and maintain sobriety, The Edge is the best place to be. You can take the first steps by calling us today at (303) 558-6400.
