Other mental health considerations have been noted in people with cannabis dependence as well. 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). These can help you change thoughts and behaviors that make it hard to quit. You could also try to set limits such as only using marijuana on certain days of the week, like the weekends.
Symptoms of Cannabis Use Disorder
Using marijuana with other substances may result in greater impairment than using it alone.9 It may also cause severe intoxication and dangerous—even fatal—effects, depending on the adulterant mixed with it. You may have heard that marijuana helps with morning sickness. If you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t use medical marijuana unless your doctor says it’s OK.
A longitudinal study of the effects of cannabis exposure on neuro-development in adolescents and young adults
High-potency forms of the drug can expose new users to increased concentrations of THC and greater risk of experiencing adverse or unpredictable reactions. For frequent users, higher potency can increase the risk of marijuana addiction. However, certain medications may help manage withdrawal symptoms or address underlying issues.
Other Health Effects?
Substance use resources are also available in local communities and at the state level. A person first uses a substance such as marijuana repeatedly. After regular use over time, they build a tolerance, where the effects of the substance are not noticed as much or at all.
A Rise in Marijuana’s THC Levels
Dopamine is a type of chemical in the brain called a neurotransmitter, and the medical community believes that it supports feelings of motivation and reward. Keep reading to learn more about the science behind marijuana addiction, as well as some treatment options. “It has long been acknowledged that cannabis is a mood-altering substance with some potential for risk, including the risk of dependence. In addition, experts are investigating whether there are specific medications that can help with cannabis use disorder.
- While some people can try and use marijuana without becoming addicted, it can also be addictive for some people.
- THC acts on specific brain cell receptors that ordinarily react to natural THC-like chemicals.
- Cannabis advocates then sued and a court agreed to allow smokable medical marijuana just before Scott left office.
- 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.
- By using cannabis before the age of 25, young people can permanently damage their brains, wreaking havoc with their ability to learn, remember, solve problems and pay attention, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Using pot heavily, especially in your teen years, may leave more permanent effects. Imaging tests with some – but not all – adolescents found that marijuana may physically change their brains. Specifically, they had fewer connections in parts of the brain linked to alertness, learning, and memory, and tests show lower IQ scores in some people. Studies note that early marijuana use can interrupt normal development of gray matter, a type of brain tissue that helps control mental functions, increasing schizophrenia risks. Early exposure to marijuana is also linked to changes in areas of the brain that are often connected with psychosis. This could cause you to rely more on opioids to ease the pain.
The researchers behind the surveys also found that the perceived risk of the drug has fallen significantly since the mid-2000s. Moreover, the JAMA study doesn’t distinguish between medical and recreational cannabis, which are actually quite different in their physiological and cognitive effects, as Harvard researcher Dr. Staci Gruber’s work tells us. 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. The Canyon, a treatment center in Malibu, California, lists 10 signs that someone might have an addiction to marijuana.
THC acts on specific brain cell receptors that ordinarily react to natural THC-like chemicals. These natural chemicals play a role in normal brain development and function. More research is needed to better understand these mental health links and ramifications. Some varieties of cannabis plants are also known as hemp, although “hemp” more commonly refers to a fiber derived from such plants. Historically, hemp fiber has been used to make rope, paper, fabrics and sail canvas.
New research highlights the problems of withdrawal, but provides an incomplete picture
Additionally, many treatment facilities accept credit cards and have financing options as well. But they may do better when loved ones are involved in treatment. Drug abuse and addiction can be scary and uncertain, but it’s treatable, and there’s help out there. There are a variety of treatments available, and if one doesn’t work, another one may be better for you. Finding others who are dealing with the same issues as you can be validating, and you can learn from one another about different ways to cope. Marijuana Anonymous is one such support group based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous.