Marijuana
addiction is a phenomenon experienced by more than 150,000 individuals each
year who enter treatment for their proclaimed addiction to marijuana. Marijuana
addiction is characterized as compulsive and often uncontrollable marijuana
craving, seeking, and use that continues even when the individual knows that
marijuana use is not in their best interest. Marijuana addiction could be
defined as chronically making the firm decision not to use marijuana followed
shortly by a relapse due to experiencing overwhelming compulsive urges to
use marijuana despite the firm decision not to. This contradiction is characteristic
of an addiction problem.
Symptoms
of Marijuana Addiction:
- Marijuana
tolerance:
Either need for markedly increased amounts of marijuana to achieve intoxication
or markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of
marijuana.
-
Greater use of marijuana than intended:
Marijuana taken in larger amounts or over a longer period
than was intended
-
Unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control marijuana
use
-
A great deal of time spent in using marijuana
-
Marijuana use causing a reduction in social, occupational, or recreational
activities.
- Continued
marijuana use despite knowing it will cause significant
problems.
Marijuana
is both emotionally and mentally addictive. Once an individual becomes addicted
to marijuana, it develops into part of who they believe themselves to be.
Avoiding their friends who do not use, the addict will gravitate to others
that do. Marijuana is a topic that is always on their mind, whether it be
thinking about the next time they will be able to get high or where their
going to get their next "sack". When someone is addicted to marijuana,
eventually their friends and the people close to them only know how they act
when they're stoned because they no longer do anything without smoking first.
Their constant abuse is due to the misconception that marijuana is what they
need to solve their problems. Sometimes addicts will take their stash with
them wherever they go, just in case an opportunity arises and they are able
to take a couple hits. They may even go through several dealers in order to
make sure they always have a constant supply of marijuana.
If
you feel that your marijuana use is out of your control and interfering with
your personal goals and happiness and you would like to stop but can't, then
seek help from addiction treatment professional.