Marijuana Addiction

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Marijuana Treatment for Marijuana Addiction

If you have a marijuana addiction, there are marijuana treatment centers ready to help you NOW. Your marijuana addiction is slowly destroying your body and mind. You need help for your addiction to marijuana, which is taking over your life, hurting those closest to you and stealing your dreams. You have tried to stop using marijuana, but can't stop. You have always returned, worse than before. We know, we've been there and couldn't do it by ourselves either. Call Recovery Connection NOW for help. Call 1-800-99-DETOX.

Street names for marijuana: grass, pot, weed, bud, Mary Jane, dope, indo, hydro.

marijuana, pot addiction treatment, drug detox

Marijuana: The Addictive Plant

Marijuana addiction has its roots in a plant named Cannabis. Marijuana is a mixture of the dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant, cannabis sativa. It is typically smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes (joints), cigars (blunts), pipes, or water pipes (bongs). The active ingredient in marijuana is THC, which is responsible for the potency and effects of marijuana. Over the past two decades, THC levels of marijuana in the United States have increased dramatically, leading to more marijuana addictions than ever before.

Commercial-grade marijuana contains parts of the marijuana plant such as stems and seeds that are not of high quality. "Sinsemilla," higher potency marijuana, contains only the leaves and buds of the cannabis plant, where THC is most concentrated.

Effects and Consequences of Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana's effects begin as soon as the drug enters the brain and can last from 1 to 3 hours. As THC enters the brain, it causes the user to feel high by stimulating brain cells to release the chemical dopamine. When the euphoria passes, the user may feel sleepy or depressed and may also get feelings of panic, anxiety, paranoia or distrust. Continued use, in an attempt to regain that feeling of euphoria can lead to marijuana addiction.

Acute Effects of Marijuana (present during intoxication)

Persistent Effects of Marijuana Use (lasting longer than intoxication, but may not be permanent)

Marijuana and Pregnancy

Research has shown that fetal exposure to marijuana can cause affected infants to experience altered responses to visual stimuli and increased tremulousness, which may indicate problems with neurological development. Other studies have shown that during infancy and preschool years, marijuana-exposed children have more behavioral problems than non-exposed children. Research also indicates that marijuana-exposed children may experience problems regarding visual perception, language comprehension, sustained attention, and memory tasks.

Detrimental Health Effects of Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana addiction is associated with numerous detrimental health effects, including:

Results of a study released in 2001 indicate that a person's risk of heart attack within the first hour of smoking marijuana is four times the usual risk.

Marijuana Addiction and School/Work Performance

Studies have shown lower grade point averages, less satisfaction with school, negative attitudes, and increased rates of school absenteeism among marijuana users.

In another study, researchers compared marijuana smoking and nonsmoking 12th graders' scores on standardized tests of verbal and mathematical skills. Although all of the students had scored equally well when tested in the 4th grade, heavy marijuana smokers (those who used marijuana seven or more times per week) scored significantly lower in 12th grade than nonsmokers.

Workers who smoke marijuana have been shown to have more problems on the job than their nonsmoking coworkers. Several studies have associated workers' marijuana use with increased tardiness, absences, accidents, workers' compensation claims, and job turnover.

Marijuana Addiction Withdrawal

Individuals addicted to marijuana or who have been abusing the drug for long periods of time may experience cravings and other marijuana addiction withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit. These marijuana addiction withdrawal symptoms may include irritability, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and an increase in any feelings of aggression.

Marijuana Addiction Treatment

There is no medication that is used to treat marijuana addiction. A person experiencing withdrawal from marijuana will usually experience mood swings, agitation, aggressiveness, insomnia, and a craving for the drug. Medication can be prescribed to reduce these symptoms, but rest and talk therapy is usually the best marijuana treatment. After about three to five days the actual cravings for the drug will diminish, although the addict will still experience thoughts about using the drug. Generally speaking, a person should enroll themselves in outpatient programs to assist them in developing more effective coping skills rather than turning to marijuana use. If the individual continues to return to the use of marijuana or other drugs, they should seek admission for marijuana treatment to one of many inpatient addiction programs.

Back to Drug Information

If you believe you or someone you know needs help with marijuana addiction, or for immediate assistance finding drug rehab centers that specialize in marijuana addiction and treatment, please call Recovery Connection now at 1-800-99-DETOX. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Don't wait - GET HELP NOW!

Marijuana Treatment Centers:

If your state doesn't appear on this list, please call Recovery Connection at 1-800-99-DETOX and we will be happy to assist you.