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Additionally, because THC interacts with the chemicals in a person’s brain, the functioning of an individual’s brain can be significantly hindered. With regards to other areas of an individual’s life, prolonged marijuana abuse can render several negative consequences if treatment is not sought and received to end this type of chemical dependency concern. A person may have frequent interactions with the legal system, have a hard time acquiring and maintaining employment, and sustaining healthy relationships with others. Also referred to as pot or weed, marijuana is drug that comes from the cannabis plant. The active ingredient in this substance is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and causes mind-altering effects when smoked.
- Many people believe that marijuana doesn’t have harmful effects like alcohol or other drugs.
- We do offer individualized therapy so that you’ll have the opportunity to share your struggles in a one-on-one environment.
- Marijuana addiction occurs when the body is physically dependent on the drug and craves it.
- But cannabis may have harmful long- and short-term effects, such as paranoia and memory loss, and it can be addictive and disrupt a user’s life and relationships.
- THC is the main chemical that causes the mind-altering effects of marijuana, while CBD is said to have both anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
- Those who abuse marijuana often experience feelings of relaxation, detachment from their surroundings, and other such dulled sensations when under the influence.
This means you can’t stop using it even if it harms your relationships, school, job, health, or finances. The CDC states that you have a 10% risk of a cannabis use disorder if you use marijuana. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn about health effects of marijuana and start your road to recovery. During the counseling session, the person deals with any emotional issues that led to them use marijuana. Though the most well-known active ingredient—and the cause of most concern—is THC, Marijuana also contains the compound cannabidiol or CBD.
Treating A Marijuana Addiction
Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled. These symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they vary from person to person. The symptoms may not be severe or dangerous, but they can be unpleasant.
- It can also be consumed via tea, baked goods, candies, or other edible means.
- The American Psychiatric Association’s most recent criteria for substance use disorders include tools to identify cannabis addiction.
- These states are Alaska, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
Luckily, there are marijuana abuse treatment options available that can help those who wish to overcome an addiction problem and avoid the aforementioned adversities. Just because it does not have the negative reputation and obvious extreme effects of other substances does not mean that marijuana is safe. If you are worried about a loved one and their marijuana addiction, the best way to approach them is with empathy and compassion, preferably at a time when they are not intoxicated.
Marijuana risks and health effects
Although many teens become extremely relaxed, mellow, or even “spaced out” when they use marijuana regularly, it can also give rise to agitation, irritation, disorganization, and decreased inhibition. Should these upward trends in use continue, our country will almost certainly begin to see greater numbers of people negatively marijuana addiction impacted by marijuana use and abuse. But that can jump to 70 to 120 beats or more per minute for 3 hours after the effects kick in. The added strain plus tar and other chemicals in pot may raise your chance of heart attack or stroke. The danger is even greater if you’re older or if you already have heart problems.
However, certain medications may help manage withdrawal symptoms or address underlying issues. For example, if a person uses marijuana to deal with anxiety, a doctor may recommend antianxiety medication, and taking this may make it easier to avoid the drug. These medical facilities are designed to assist people for more than 25 days. These facilities help a person stop using drugs, including cannabis, and then manage the underlying issues that led to drug use and may lead to relapse if not dealt with correctly.
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It is not yet known whether marijuana smoking contributes to the risk for lung cancer. When marijuana is smoked, THC passes rapidly from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the substance to the brain and other organs throughout the body. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States, typically smoked as a hand-rolled https://ecosoberhouse.com/ cigarette (joint) or in a pipe or water pipe (bong). The drug is also smoked in what’s called a blunt—a cigar that’s been emptied of tobacco and refilled with a mixture of marijuana and tobacco. People who have marijuana use disorder may also be at a higher risk of other negative consequences, such as problems with attention, memory, and learning.
Marijuana potency, as detected in confiscated samples, has steadily increased over the past few decades. Marijuana, more often called “weed,” “grass,” “pot,” or “reefer,” is the street name for a dried mixture of the shredded leaves, plants, stems, seeds, and flowers of the Cannabis sativa plant. Pot is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States with 17.4 million past-month users according to data collected by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. In 2010, marijuana was reported to be used by 76.8% of current illegal drug users; weed was the only drug used by 60.1% of them. Atlanta Treatment can help you break the painful cycle of marijuana addiction.
The rise of marijuana for medical use has contributed greatly to the increasing acceptance of the drug. More and more people are using the drug as the social stigma attached to it diminishes. An individual who is addicted to marijuana will display compulsive drug-seeking activities and abuse pot despite the harmful consequences. In addition, marijuana is often coined the “gateway drug,” as it normalizes and demystifies the concept of drug abuse. This can lead to later usage of more hardcore drugs such as heroin, cocaine, or meth.
A urine test can find traces of THC in someone who consumes marijuana for up to two or three days. In frequent users, urine tests can be found positive for up to 27 days. Marijuana abuse can rob you of your health, your dignity, and your hope for a better tomorrow. At Blue Ridge Mountain Recovery Center, you will reconnect with your best self, and begin to build the foundation for a more promising future. Connect with a licensed therapist from BetterHelp for porn addiction counseling.
Like the naturally occurring cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant, there are a number of synthetic cannabinoids that are made in a laboratory. Food and Drug Administration to treat nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy, both available in capsule form. Some cannabinoids are psychoactive, meaning they act on the brain to modify mood or consciousness. It can also be consumed via tea, baked goods, candies, or other edible means. But cannabis may have harmful long- and short-term effects, such as paranoia and memory loss, and it can be addictive and disrupt a user’s life and relationships. Many people who use marijuana regularly notice that it boosts their appetite.