Can Marijuana Use Cause Addiction?
Studies show that marijuana has numerous therapeutic benefits. Despite the multiple medical potentials, the drug can cause addiction in some users. While fewer marijuana users get addiction than those using tobacco or alcohol, cannabis can still lead to adverse effects when you use it improperly.
The negative outcomes or addiction following improper marijuana use may adversely affect life. Like other addictions, marijuana addiction may disrupt your routine work, daily activities, relationships, etc. The condition makes you unable to stop using the drug despite the adverse effects and damage it causes to your physical and psychological life.
This post provides insight into how marijuana can be addictive, individuals at risk, and the percentage of individuals the disease is likely to affect. Furthermore, you’ll get comprehensive guidance on how to reduce the risk of marijuana addiction or the appropriate time to seek help.
Is Marijuana Addictive?
Despite helping to alleviate a wide range of conditions, this drug can cause addiction. The estimated number of individuals will vary with the users and other factors. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that approximately 30% of individuals taking marijuana usually develop Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD).
The agency gets the data from a study in 2015 that researchers published in the ‘JAMA Psychiatry.’ Despite the strict regulations, the researchers collected the results via face-to-face interviews. With the federal government still regarding the drug as illegal, the researchers believed that the number of marijuana exceeds the preassumed statistics.
Another study in Alcohol Research & Health in 2000 shows that approximately 9% of marijuana users may develop CUD. The rate is slightly compared to 23% of heroin users, 15% of alcohol users, and 17% of cocaine users.
In a similar study in 2011, the researchers published in the Drug and Dependence Journal suggested that approximately 8.9% of marijuana users developed an addiction to this substance. The rate is lower than 67.5 % among nicotine users, 22.7% for alcohol users, and 20.9% for cocaine users.
The most alarming statistic is when NIDA stated from their findings that approximately 17% of first-time marijuana users below 17 years developed CUD.
Evidence and various scientific findings show that marijuana has the potential to cause addiction. But you may be wondering why the numerous individuals who use the drug carefully never get the addiction.
How Does Marijuana Cause Addiction?
Like other addictive substances, marijuana impacts how the brain responds to dopamine (a neurotransmitter in the brain). This chemical in the brain is responsible for supporting motivation and rewarding feelings. As you take marijuana, the drug increases dopamine activation in the brain, which leads to pleasurable feelings.
Nevertheless, when you consume the drugs regularly, it starts negatively impacting dopamine production. With the impact on dopamine production, your body will start requiring more marijuana doses to feel similar pleasant feelings. Thus, the process of getting at par with dopamine sensation leads to marijuana dependence and addiction.
Experts reveal that the journey to addiction starts with marijuana dependence. Marijuana dependence refers to using cannabis to help you cope with various life issues or stress. For instance, you may find that using cannabis will help alleviate insomnia, depression, and anxiety. However, it may reach a time when drug use is more regular over a certain time, increasing the risk of addiction.
With technological and manufacturing improvements, marijuana currently comes with high potency. A study in 2016 revealed an increase in THC content in marijuana products from 4% to 12% between 1995 and 2015. Nowadays, most strains have 20+ THC percentages, especially in legal states. With these rates, either the CUD rates will rise, or users are consuming more THC.
Which Individuals are at Risk of Cannabis Addiction?
Despite the ongoing results, some factors, like genetics, may affect the risk of addiction. Besides genetics, mental health is another common risk factor. Most drugs provide positive effects when you first use them. For instance, taking a glass of wine or puffs of marijuana joints will help or provide temporary relief from anxiety.
Nonetheless, you’ll consider this drug whenever you feel the condition is recurring. Your body will develop tolerance to the drug or dose, making you require more doses to have the same feelings. During this time, dependence will have turned to addiction.
Can you Have a Physical Dependence on Cannabis?
Like addictive substances, once you have marijuana addiction, you can’t stop using it despite its adverse effects on your life. During this time, the body system tends to develop a high THC tolerance.
Furthermore, your brain might start becoming resistant to the effects the drug had to protect it after longer durations of using the drug. It leads the drug to have a weak or less effect the next time you use it. In 2014 a certain PNAS study revealed that misuse of marijuana led to decreased response to dopamine among the participants. These groups’ brains produced dopamine at the optimal level but failed to understand how to use it.
This stage shows a clear sign of physical dependence. During this stage, you’ll have a strong urge for the drug to the point of forfeiting important commitments to take the drug. Failure to get the drug or stop the drug use may lead to a wide range of withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms include:
● Insomnia
● Irritability
● Nausea
● Restlessness
● Headaches
Studies show that these symptoms usually peak one week after consuming the substance. These symptoms may last for approximately two weeks.
Greater Danger in Adolescent Users
The biggest marijuana dependence and addiction issues relate to young users. The common Dunedin study focused on 1000 individuals in New Zealand for 25 years. During this time, the researchers compared the subject's IQs from their 13th birthday to when they attained 38 years. The results revealed lower grades, high addiction rates, and approximately a reduction of eight IQ points among marijuana users. Nevertheless, the study didn’t account for other factors like tobacco and alcohol use, mental illnesses, or socioeconomic status.
While researchers are yet to justify the effects of marijuana use on adolescents, there is a common issue emerging in most of the better-controlled studies. In a certain report researchers published in the ‘JAMA Journal,’ the findings show that teenagers are likely to have prescription drug or marijuana addiction within the first 12 months of using them.
The results showed that approximately 11% of kids between 12 to 17 years developed CUD. The rate was 6.4% in younger adults between 18-25 years. Thus, teenagers were more than twice as likely to develop opioid addiction and three times more likely to get stimulant addiction and dependence than younger adults.
The continued brain development up to the 20s explains why early drug introduction is a risk factor for addiction. Experts link the early introduction of drugs to the availability of highly potent THC products.
With the statistics being a matter of concern, we’ve got a study focusing on whether CBD can be a safer alternative for kids. Top brands, like Purekana and Charlotte’s Web, offer a wide range of products without THC. Despite being the best option for kids, proponents say CBD may have some harmful effects.
Is Cannabis a Gateway Drug?
Despite enormous evidence and myths about marijuana, the substance isn’t a gateway drug. Many individuals have been suggesting that cannabis is a ‘gateway’ to other stronger substances, like heroin. In 1984 when President Reagan intensified the war on drugs, Dr. Robert popularized the term, ‘gateway drug.’ Dr. Robert claimed that restriction of weed use in kids reduced the chance of abusing other drugs.
Despite the utterances being a more classic fallacy, the correlation equals causation. Studies show that cannabis is the most commonly abused illegal drug globally. Thus, if the gateway link were accurate, you’d expect a surgeon in the number of illegal drugs (cocaine and heroin) users. Most marijuana users don’t abuse other illegal drugs.
However, some experts maintain that most users of hard-to-get drugs have higher chances of trying marijuana, which they consider an easy-to-find substance. Even NIDA acknowledges that marijuana isn’t a gateway drug in certain research. In the interpretation, they revealed that an individual's social environment would be a key determining factor when studying possible drug addiction and use risk factors.
What Does Scientific Research Say About Cannabis Addiction?
Some scientific evidence suggests prolonged and chronic marijuana use can lead to addiction or physical dependence. A certain study in Oxford University’s ILAR Journal suggested that exposure to marijuana results in addiction and psychical dependence, causing drug maintenance in MMJ patients. This research showed that using cannabis can make the body start developing dependence on cannabinoids.
Stanford Medicine published an article in 2010 to address the possibility of marijuana producing subsequent dependence and addiction. The article revealed that the association was non-negotiable. The possibility of psychoactive drugs, like marijuana causing dependence and addiction are uncontroversial in the medical community.
Another study that researchers published in ‘The Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology’
studied marijuana’s addictive capacity. The researcher doubted if CUD was a problem that required treatment. The study highlighted the need to have a study explaining the association between CUD and neurobiological changes.
In 2015 a certain NIDA research suggested that approximately four million individuals in the country passed the CUD diagnostic criteria.
What are the Signs of Marijuana Addiction?
Besides having a strong craving for the drug, when having a marijuana addiction, you may start losing interest in things you used to enjoy. Furthermore, most cannabis addicts will isolate themselves from friends and family to focus on consuming the drug.
While using cannabis doesn’t affect motivation among responsible users, you may lose focus or drive to participate in your routine activities or achieve goals when addiction kicks in. You may fall behind in your education or work and fail to fulfill your duties.
Another tell-tale sign is the significantly increased tolerance to cannabis, leading to continuous marijuana use without worrying about unwanted effects. After some time when having the addition, you may develop additional signs or issues. These issues include
● Feeling worried or anxiousness
● Irritability
● Depression
● Insomnia or restlessness
● Financial problems
● Cognitive impairment
● Impaired motor skills
● Impaired memory
● Weight loss or decreased appetite
What Actions Can You Take to Reduce the Risk of Marijuana Addiction?
You can control or reduce your risk of developing a marijuana addiction in various ways. Below are some of the effective tips for reducing the risk:
● Reduce your THC
● Engage in physical activities or hobbies
● Restrain from long-term marijuana use.
● Reduce the marijuana amount you use per session
● Avoid using marijuana as a ‘crutch’ when you feel downbeat or stressed
● Stop taking marijuana strains with high THC levels and keep off cannabis concentrates
● Consider strains with a balanced and reasonable THC: CBD ratio
● Opt for a non-intoxicating CBD option. Switch to trustworthy brands, like Joy Organics or Premium Jane, for a wide range of these products.
Experts advise that you seek professional help immediately if you feel like you have CUD. You can start by talking with your friends and relatives to help formulate a treatment plan. Attend a rehabilitation program or find a cannabis anonymous group in your locality.
Additional tips include
● Avoid things, people, or places that can trigger cannabis use
● Throw away the existing marijuana supply
● Start setting goals
● Plan for sober events in states where cannabis is illegal
● Start reducing marijuana addiction cravings by exercising regularly
Bottom Line on Whether You Can Get Weed Addiction
Evidence and available scientific research show approximately 9% of marijuana users might develop an addiction. Users with CUD usually develop a physical dependence on this substance and may suffer adverse withdrawal symptoms after stopping marijuana for a few days or weeks.
Some organizations like NIDA states that 30% of marijuana users may develop dependence. Regardless of the exact statistics, it’ll be good to be aware of the risk of possible addiction while starting marijuana use. Experts advise that you seek professional help immediately after you start exhibiting marijuana addiction symptoms.
Importantly, NIDA provides a wide range of treatment programs to help you avoid or overcome the issue. With risk doubling for individuals who begin marijuana use as minors, keep off the drug from minors.
Consulting with a marijuana-friendly physician will help you choose the appropriate strains and dose to reduce marijuana dependence and addiction risks. HappyMD is a one-stop telehealth platform where you can get 420 evaluations and guidance on responsible marijuana use and apply for a medical marijuana card online. Visit HappyMD for guidance on responsible medical marijuana use to prevent addiction and receive your MMJ card in minutes.
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