Recently, medical marijuana has been legalized in many states, while the drug has now entered a recreational status in several U.S. cities. Nevertheless, marijuana is still one of the most prominent illegal drugs and a potentially addictive substance in our country. Cancer patients and accident victims may find relief after consuming the prescription version of the drug, but the truth is still prominent: Cannabis is still frequently abused on a large scale. While certainly not the most harmful drug, marijuana is still potentially addictive, and long-term users can experience terrible symptoms as a result.
In scientific terms, marijuana is derived from dried flowers produced by the Cannabis sativa plant. In its pure form, the drug produces a multitude of chemicals including delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (also referred to as THC). After consuming marijuana, people experience an increase in pleasurable activities due to the THC’s stimulation of the brain and the ultimate release of dopamine in the bloodstream. Users can eat, drink, or smoke variants of the drug to get the desired effect.
As always, the first step to overcoming reliance on this drug is recognizing the signs of addiction/abuse (referred to as cannabis use disorder). The following behaviors may be associated with this disorder:
- Lack of social interaction
- Unusual cravings or urges
- Increased aggression or frustration towards seemingly normal issues
- Distinctive smell of marijuana present in the user’s home
- Presence of items associated with marijuana use (e.g. lighters, matches, knives)
- Incompliance with regular schedule
- Changes in behavior towards family, friends, or coworkers
- Inability to focus on simple tasks
- Sense of denial (due to an attraction towards the drugs)
- Withdrawal or detox symptoms (if the addict has stopped using)
Individuals must always understand that there is a clear difference between recreational use and life-threatening addiction. Nevertheless, the use of a mind-altering drug is potentially hazardous not just to an addict’s physical and emotional health but also to the friends and family members around them.
Despite the intensity of the problem at hand, there is always a solution for addiction or abuse, if you know where to look. If you have a friend or family member who is a frequent user of marijuana or if you are an abuser or an addict, you can get the help you need through Asana Recovery. Counselors and healthcare experts can walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and bring you one step closer to living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle and building a better future for yourself and your loved ones. While it might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way towards addiction recovery.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your marijuana addiction and/or abuse troubles today.