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Cannabis has become very top-of-mind in recent years. The primary reason for this is that many states have begun to legalize cannabis for recreational consumption. Unfortunately, with this legalization has come a lot of minimizing of the negative effects that cannabis can have. For example, the potential to become addicted to cannabis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “One study estimated that approximately 3 in 10 people who use marijuana have marijuana use disorder.” The good news is recovery from cannabis addiction is possible, and help is available.
Due to the many terms for cannabis, there is a tendency to confuse and conflate what cannabis is. For example, many people believe that cannabis refers to marijuana. While yes this is true, cannabis is the plant which all THC (the psychotropic component) is derived from. This is important to understand because many people don’t understand that anything with cannabis can be addictive (such as “edible” or “vape” variations), not just the flowers or buds (marijuana). These variations are a big reason why cannabis has become minimized and more commonly used.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), “cannabis (marijuana) is one of the most used drugs in the United States, and its use is widespread among young people.” Also, “In 2021, 35.4% of young adults aged 18 to 25 (11.8 million people) reported using marijuana in the past year.” This is significant because people who use cannabis at a younger age are more likely to become addicted later in life. They are also more likely to have long-term health and mental health side effects.
The minimization of cannabis use has also led to misunderstandings about the potential for cannabis addiction. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Contrary to popular belief, marijuana is addictive. Research shows that: 1-in-6 people who start using the drug before the age of 18 can become addicted.” Also, “1-in-10 adults who use the drug can become addicted.”
Cannabis addiction is also more likely because the concentration and amount of THC are significantly higher today than in previous decades. According to NIDA, “Marijuana potency, as detected in confiscated samples, has steadily increased over the past few decades. In the early 1990s, the average THC content in confiscated marijuana samples was less than 4%. In 2018, it was more than 15%.” Those numbers continue to steadily rise as the restrictions on cannabis continue to be lifted.
Cannabis addiction is nothing to be underestimated. Its effects can be both severe and substantial. The following are just a few of the signs and symptoms of cannabis addiction:
If some, many, or all of these symptoms are present, it is highly recommended that professional addiction care be sought as soon as possible. Doing so early could mean the difference between short-term consequences and long-term side effects.
Cannabis addiction can worsen over time. This is why reaching out for help as soon as a problem is detected can be vital. The following are just a few of the long-term side effects of cannabis addiction:
It has been shown that mental illness and addiction have direct ties. According to NIDA, “7.7 million adults have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders.”
The link between cannabis addiction and mental illness is not excluded from these statistics. According to NIDA, “Research has shown that cannabis use is associated with an increased risk for an earlier onset of psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia) in people with other risk factors, such as family history. Cannabis intoxication can also induce a temporary psychotic episode in some individuals, especially at high doses.”
The good news is that cannabis addiction is highly treatable. The first step is admitting that there is a problem. The next step is accepting that you or a loved one needs help. From there, we here at Painted Desert Recovery can help you the rest of the way.
Here at Painted Desert Recovery, we take addiction seriously. This is why we create serious, individualized, and comprehensive recovery plans for each of our clients that include a heavy dose of love and compassion.
The iconic author and philosopher Joseph Campbell famously said, “We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” If you are struggling with cannabis addiction, that life may be waiting for you right here at Painted Desert Recovery.
Due to its legalization in many regions, cannabis use has had growing acceptance in recent years. However, its use can still lead to serious issues of substance abuse and addiction. For more information about how to recover from addiction, please reach out to Painted Desert Recovery today at (844) 540-0353.