A lot of people ask, “Is marijuana addictive?” Constant marijuana use does have the potential to lead to problematic issues, such as substance abuse, some addiction or dependency. If you experience withdrawals when you are not taking marijuana, then you may be suffering from dependency.
If you believe that you may be addicted to marijuana, but don’t know for sure, then you should contact a marijuana detox center or speak with a therapist. You can discuss your situation and why you believe that you may have a chemical dependency on marijuana. You can also review your treatment options to the specialists.
When is Marijuana Addictive?
Marijuana becomes an addiction when you cannot stop using the drug, or your body goes through withdrawals when you stop using it for a day or two. Some of the symptoms of marijuana addiction or dependency include:
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Too much/not enough sleep
- Decreased appetite
- Severe cravings – can’t ever get enough
- Feelings of restlessness
You may have a dependence on marijuana when your brain adapts to large amounts of the drug by reducing the production of and sensitivity to its endocannabinoid neurotransmitters. When the brain has to start producing the neurotransmitters again because you stopped using marijuana, you notice symptoms of this adjustment. This is when substance abuse treatment is necessary.
Being Addicted to the Effects of Marijuana
The mind-altering substance in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. When you smoke pot, THC passes from your lungs into the bloodstream, where it travels to the brain. Compared to other drugs, the absorption process is slow, and it often takes 30 minutes to one hour before one feels high. The marijuana high takes effect faster if you ingest the drug rather than smoking it.
If you smoke or ingest marijuana, you may build up a tolerance to it over time. Eventually, you will need to use higher dosages to experience the same effects. This leads to marijuana addiction and dependence, which is a state where your brain adjusts to having THC.
The addiction you may feel is the need to get high and stay high all of the time. You may even think that you cannot function without being high. However, you need more and more to get high the longer you take the drug. This is where both addiction and dependency come together and you need a marijuana addiction treatment center in California.
You Can Get Help for Your Addiction
Instead of asking, “Is marijuana addictive?”, ask yourself, “Are YOU addicted to marijuana?” Is it controlling your life, and do you want to get off of it? If so, there are specialists at Pillars Recovery who can help you get off of marijuana for good and get your life back together. If you would like to find out more about our marijuana detox center, contact us today at 866.782.0247. We are here to help you recover from drugs and alcohol.
