Plus, pediatricians and others have long said that marijuana can impair brain functions in people under the age of 25. There are also the studies that indicate legalizing marijuana can reduce the misuse of opioids, alcohol, and other substances. One study stated that medical marijuana can help children with seizures and chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms: What to Expect
- A recent fMRI study investigated whether cannabis use sensitizes and disrupts the mesocorticolimbic reward processes during a hedonic cue-reactivity task.
- Some individuals report heightened sensory perception, laughter, altered perception of time, and increased appetite.
- Synthetic cannabinoids are not safe and can impact the brain more powerfully than natural marijuana.
- While some people can try and use marijuana without becoming addicted, it can also be addictive for some people.
They specialize in addiction recovery and mental health care with years of experience. The centre uses advanced methods for clients with dual diagnosis or complex mental health needs. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Neurofeedback Therapy regulate brain activity, reduce cravings, and stabilise mood.
What Are the Symptoms of Marijuana Addiction?
However, long-term marijuana use has actually been linked to worsened mental health issues in some individuals, especially if they start to experience cannabis withdrawal when they attempt to stop. The physical withdrawal symptoms may include insomnia, headaches, vomiting, and gastrointestinal distress. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms may be severe and consist of nightmares, tremors, and significant cravings. If you use alcohol or other drugs with marijuana, withdrawal symptoms can be more extreme. Treating marijuana addiction, or Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), involves a combination of behavioral therapies, support groups, and, in some cases, medications to manage withdrawal symptoms.
Cannabis use disorder
Signs of marijuana addiction include behavioral, physical, and cognitive symptoms. Behavioral symptoms of marijuana addiction include intense cravings, neglect of responsibilities, and social isolation. Physical symptoms of marijuana addiction may involve bloodshot eyes, increased heart rate, and weed addictive respiratory issues.
You can consult your healthcare professional to see if this is a viable treatment option. People develop cannabis dependence for different reasons, so it’s important to address any underlying issues. For instance, those who use marijuana to cope with anxiety, depression, or sleep disorders can find more appropriate treatment types—including lifestyle changes, therapy, and medication—to help relieve their symptoms. Some people will develop Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), which is the clinical name for marijuana addiction. The use of marijuana before the age of 18 is especially worrisome as teens are 4 to 7 times more likely to develop CUD than adults. Additionally, research indicates that almost 30% of people who use marijuana may have a mild, moderate or severe form of CUD.
Long-term marijuana use has proven risks. See how it may impact mental and physical health.
Those who drank alcohol without using marijuana had an average GPA of 3.03 and those who used both alcohol and marijuana had an average GPA of 2.66. The flower or leaves that are generally smoked or vaped are only one formulation. We now have concentrated THC products such as oil, shatter, dab, and edibles that have been able to get the THC concentration upwards of 95%.
If you use marijuana at least once a week, you might need more anesthesia. It’s important that your doctor knows about cannabis and any other drug you use. It will become part of your medical record, but that’s private information. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about how to stop using marijuana or your symptoms. Despite its widespread use, many more studies are needed to understand how regular marijuana use may affect your brain and body.
According to Sewell RA et al.’s 2009 study titled “The Effect of Cannabis Compared With Alcohol on Driving,” published in the American Journal of Addiction, nearly 88,000 alcohol-related overdose deaths occur annually in the U.S.. In contrast, marijuana has an extremely low risk of fatal overdose, requiring an impractically high amount to reach lethal levels. The prevalence of DSM-IV CUD in adults from 2002 to 2017 stayed constant at 1.5% to 1.4% in the previous year. The diagnosis of marijuana addiction involves a comprehensive evaluation that takes into account various factors such as clinical evaluation, self-assessment tools, adherence to DSM-5 criteria, patient history, and psychiatric assessment. Self-assessment tools are various standardized questionnaires designed to help individuals assess their cannabis use and related problems.
How to Begin Marijuana Addiction Rehab in India
Most marijuana withdrawal symptoms develop within the first 24–72 hours after the last use, peak within the first week, and last approximately 1–2 weeks. Post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) are reported to last anywhere from 12, 18, or 24 months. Some PAWS include restlessness, irritability, agitation, diminished appetite, poor concentration, increased anxiety, difficulty with decision-making skills, diminished ability functioning at same level as prior to using marijuana, and cravings. The process of PAWS are inexorable and it is crucial to learn healthy coping skills to manage PAWS in order to remain sober.
Marijuana addiction is classified under the DSM-5 as a substance use disorder drug addiction with varying severity levels based on the number of criteria met within 12 months. These criteria include loss of control over use, social impairments, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and continued use despite negative consequences. Marijuana addiction manifests when individuals develop a cannabis dependence, leading to compulsive use despite adverse consequences. Roughly 78 million Americans, or half of the population, reported having smoked marijuana at some point in their lives. Notably, those who begin using marijuana before age 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop a use disorder compared to adults, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.