Understanding Marijuana Substance Abuse

People may think that it is not possible to get addicted to marijuana. While the chemical makeup of marijuana may not be as addictive as other drugs, dependence can form in people who use marijuana to cope with daily life. A behavioral dependence can be incredibly difficult to stop without therapeutic intervention. Therapy can teach you the skills that you need to stay on top of your addiction. It can also help you to find new and healthy ways to cope with mental health struggles. While marijuana use may be more common, it is important to note the possibility for it to turn into an addiction. West Coast Recovery Centers understands how marijuana substance abuse can affect people. We offer qualified providers that can help work through these struggles with you.

Long-term abuse of marijuana can lead to many different mental and physical risks. It is important to get treatment for marijuana substance abuse so that you can live without having to be dependent on a substance. Some people think that marijuana doesn't carry any risks because of the fact it isn't possible to overdose. As it becomes legalized, marijuana also becomes normalized. It is important to note that any substance, even legal or normalized ones, can form an addiction. 

People sometimes turn to substances to numb underlying issues or avoid their mental health. Getting addiction treatment is important because it encourages you to work through these core issues to establish long-term well-being and sobriety.

Understanding Marijuana

Marijuana is a mind-altering psychoactive drug. It is often dried or processed from buds, leaves, stems, and seeds from the cannabis plant. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive ingredient that produces the effects of marijuana. This drug may sometimes be processed into other forms, and even baked into food or different consumables. Marijuana can be smoked or ingested in these ways. While the chemical makeup of marijuana may not be addictive, you can get addicted to the sensation that the drug provides. If you have difficulty stopping your usage of marijuana, it may be developing into an addiction.  As dependence on this feeling grows, your happiness may become dependent on smoking marijuana. 

This dependence may make it so you are unable to achieve a good mood without the help of marijuana. Over time, this continuing addiction will affect all areas of your life. While recreational or medical marijuana is legal in some states, it is possible to develop an addiction to it, just as it is possible to get addicted to alcohol or different pharmaceutical medications. Understanding the risks of long-term marijuana abuse will allow you to make educated decisions and avoid unhealthy situations.

Risks of Marijuana Addiction

Understanding the risks to your health is integral when making decisions about substances. Marijuana has changed, and the chemical makeup has become stronger. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states that “the amount of THC in marijuana has steadily climbed; today's marijuana has three times the concentration of THC compared to 25 years ago."  This higher level of concentration means that people may not realize the amount of marijuana they are ingesting. Higher levels of THC mean that the substances may cause mental or physical distress when taken at large doses. The more marijuana you consume, the more your tolerance will also grow. 

If you struggle with mental health disorders, marijuana can exacerbate symptoms. The dissociation caused by the mind-altering effects of marijuana may interact with your medications or cause you to experience negative mental health symptoms. Marijuana is often used as a way to avoid negative feelings, which can make it difficult to work through your struggles. If you consistently use marijuana, the baseline of your mental health will slowly move until you are unable to cope with things without smoking or abusing marijuana. 

When your dependence grows to this level, it can be difficult to stop using marijuana on your own. This level of dependence will require a therapeutic intervention to help find better coping skills. Marijuana may cause you to make decisions that you would not make usually. People who struggle with marijuana substance abuse may find themselves engaging in behavior that puts them in danger, or into situations they wouldn't put themselves in when sober. It is important to find the treatment that will help you address the reasons you use, and help you stop. 

Getting Treatment for Marijuana Substance Abuse

It can be difficult to get treatment for marijuana substance abuse. When you are struggling with addiction, it may feel overwhelming or shameful. It is important to note that qualified providers will be able to help you with working through addiction to anything or any substance. West Coast Recovery Centers offers treatment for those struggling with marijuana addiction. Our treatment offers therapeutic interventions to give you effective ways to cease marijuana dependency and establish wellness in your life.

Once you are clean from marijuana, therapy can give you the coping skills you need to stay clean and in a healthy place. Working through marijuana addiction means finding new and healthy ways to manage your feelings, destress, and take care of your mind. Your treatment providers will give you the skills that you need to stay clean from marijuana.

As marijuana becomes legalized in medicinal and recreational forms across the country, it is important to take note of the fact that marijuana is not above being addictive. If someone uses marijuana to deal with their problems and cannot control or stop their usage when they want to, they may be struggling with marijuana abuse. As someone continues to use marijuana, they may struggle to maintain their mood without it. Getting treatment for marijuana abuse will give the power back to our clients. Treatment can provide clients with the skills that they need to take care of themselves and stay sober. To learn more about our marijuana addiction treatment, call West Coast Recovery Centers today at (760) 492-6509.