Marijuana can lead to cannabis use disorder (CUD) when a person’s brain chemistry changes and physical and mental dependency on the substance forms. That’s the medical guideline for when addiction to marijuana occurs. In everyday life, it can be hard to know when you or your loved one needs help.
Raleigh Recovery offers a wide range of treatment strategies to help those facing the intensity of addiction. Our drug treatment program helps you regain control over your physical and mental health.
The Reality of Marijuana Addiction
Laws continue to change to allow some use of marijuana. North Carolina maintains that cannabis is illegal and doesn’t offer a statewide allowance for its use. However, even if it were legal, that doesn’t mean using cannabis is safe and non-habit forming. Like alcohol and tobacco products, it is possible to develop addictive behaviors to marijuana.
Cannabis can be addictive. Some people can overdose on cannabis, especially if they take a very high dose of it. This often leads to a fast heart rate and anxious feelings. Some people may also experience paranoia and hallucinations.
Addiction is different from overdose. A person who uses cannabis on a routine basis may develop a physical dependence on the substance. This can cause compulsive use, or the need to use cannabis frequently even when you recognize that doing so creates negative consequences in your life.
If that is happening to you, and you have tried to stop using cannabis but can’t, it may be time to get help for it.
Recognizing Addiction and When It’s Time to Get Help
Addiction to marijuana develops over time. The constant exposure to THC, which is the active component in cannabis, eventually overstimulates the endocannabinoid system in your brain. This is the part of your brain that controls desires and emotions. The brain stops producing natural hormones to create those feel-good feelings. Instead, it relies on the constant supply of THC.
This creates changes in the brain’s structure. But you can develop a tolerance to the substance. Your body gets used to it and no longer reacts in the same way. The natural progression of this disease is to increase the amount of THC you are using or to use it more frequently (or both). That can lead to intensifying needs and cravings.
Dependence forms when your brain and body are so used to having THC that trying to stop causes you to feel physical and emotional pain and discomfort. This is called withdrawal. The more you feel this, the more you seek out the drug. The cycle continues as your brain continues to push towards gaining access.
Warning Signs of Addiction to Cannabis
Knowing you need help is often the hard part. Some people never develop a disorder with cannabis. They can use it without feeling cravings or withdrawal symptoms. Others can develop the condition much sooner.
The following are some of the most common warning signs of cannabis use disorder. If you’re experiencing them, speak to our team about treatment options:
- Inability to stop using the substance. Your body keeps seeking out marijuana. If you don’t have any, you are looking for it. If you do have it, you’re struggling not to use it.
- Neglecting other responsibilities. The use of the substance becomes so powerful it seems to be the most important part of your life. You may not think so at first. Your family may tell you that you’re missing events, your employer may share that your job performance is dropping, or friends are put off more often.
- No longer engaging in hobbies and activities you enjoyed. It’s less important to you to maintain relationships, go to social events, or play the sports you loved. Hobbies are no longer important.
- Intense withdrawal symptoms happen when you try to stop. It is not uncommon to feel intense irritability, anxiety, problems sleeping, and cravings.
- Health declines are occurring. You know that your continued use of cannabis is impacting your health, but you keep seeking it out.
You’re more likely to develop a cannabis use addiction if you are using the product on a daily or near-daily basis. When your use has a negative impact on your life, or you need the substance to just get through the day, it is time to get help. Our residential addiction treatment program in Raleigh can offer the support you need.
Contact Our Team to Learn What Your Options Are
The team at Raleigh Recovery wants to help you start on the path to recovery. Contact us now to learn more about the treatment options we offer to those using cannabis.
