More than 50 million people used marijuana at least once in 2021. It is prescribed across multiple states for legitimate medical purposes and, in other states, legally used for the treatment of anxiety, sleep disorders, nausea, and more. But is marijuana addictive?
Risks of Marijuana Use
Even among those who do not develop an addiction, there are risks associated with regular marijuana use, including:
- Impaired cognition for all ages, but especially those who are under 25 years old
- Car accidents for those who use marijuana and get behind the wheel
- Higher dropout rates for high school students
For young adults, there are risks of damage to the brain, as the brain is still developing during the early 20s. There are also risks of poor decisions or decreased academic achievement having long-reaching ramifications as they age. For all ages, long-term chronic marijuana use has been linked to functional impairment and psychological distress regardless of whether users develop an addiction.
Is Marijuana Addictive?
Marijuana is not as addictive as most other substances. However, that does not mean there is no risk of addiction. Around 9 percent of those who use marijuana will develop an addiction. However, despite the relatively small risk, more people use marijuana than other illicit substances, and therefore, marijuana addiction is twice as prevalent as other addictions.
Some studies have found that three out of ten people who use it will develop an addiction, but that figure is highest among users 18 years or younger.
Signs of Marijuana Addiction
While marijuana is not as addictive as other illicit substances, it is important to recognize the signs of addiction.
There are physical, behavioral, and psychological signs.
Physical
Common physical signs include:
- Increased appetite and weight gain
- Bloodshot eyes
- Impaired judgment
- Memory problems
- Slower reaction times
- Dry mouth
- Altered sense of time
Behavioral
Common behavioral signs include:
- Mood changes
- Nervous or suspicious behavior
- Increased sleepiness or relaxation with no other explanation
Psychological
Marijuana has been shown to increase the risk of mental health disorders, including:
- Schizophrenia
- Psychosis
- Depression
Those with a marijuana addiction are more likely to have poor self-regulation, reduced levels of life satisfaction and happiness, and poorer quality of life. This relates strongly to internal beliefs in self-efficacy or the ability to achieve outcomes. Marijuana addiction reduces your self-efficacy or your belief in your ability to achieve outcomes, so you, therefore, stop trying as hard.
Long-term use or addiction leads to amotivational syndrome, where users continue to procrastinate, reduce their productivity, remain absent from work or school, and stop doing simple things like getting up on time, performing to one’s best, or achieving long-term goals.
Getting Help for Marijuana at Sequoia Recovery Centers
At Sequoia Recovery Centers, we provide medical detox services for addiction to marijuana or other drugs, including heroin, opiates, Percocet, and more. Our drug and alcohol rehab offers a full continuum of care, including inpatient and outpatient treatment.
Medication Management
During your medical detox from marijuana or any other substances, your team will have access to a pharmacist with detailed medication protocols. This means no wait times when you need a prescription or over-the-counter medication for your detox or ongoing care. Such access ensures you will remain as comfortable as possible during your treatment.
Nutrition
One of the ways in which we help reset the damage done by substance abuse is through our medical detox services and residential programs, during which time you’ll receive a catered meal plan three times per day. This catered meal plan, alongside other snacks and beverages, are provided by local catering companies to meet your dietary needs and to ensure that you keep a healthy mind and body so that you can:
- Remember what you learn in recovery
- Enjoy emotional regulation
- Balance your mood
- Have energy and focus
- Improve your cognition
- Avoid fatigue
Comfort
We know that choosing to get help takes courage, and we reward that courage by providing a comfortable, contemporary space that may not be home, but feels close to it. Our private facility is surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, designed to put your mind and body at ease, so that you can focus entirely on your recovery.
Is marijuana addictive? It can be. Nearly 10 percent of those who use marijuana daily will develop an addiction. Even those who don’t may develop amotivational syndrome with long term use. Thankfully, Sequoia Detox Centers offers several levels of care to those in need.
Reach out to our team today to start your marijuana rehab program.