A gay person smoking weed.

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Can You Get Addicted to Weed?

For the longest time, the myth that weed is not addictive has been rampant. However, besides marijuana being a gateway drug, its continued, frequent, and heavy cannabis use can lead to physical dependence and addiction. It usually starts with the person needing to use higher and higher doses to get the same effect. This Tolerance can then develop quickly and eventually lead to dependence or addiction. But how can you get addicted to weed?

While weed addiction can happen at any age, young people are especially at risk since their brains are still developing. But no matter how long you have used it or the age at which you started, Inspire Recovery can help you move toward lifelong recovery from weed addiction.

How Does Weed Affect the Body?

Weed, marijuana and cannabis are not the same thing, even though most people use the terms like they are. “Cannabis” is the name of the plant itself, which contains over 80 active chemicals called cannabinoids. “Marijuana” or “weed” specifically refers to types of cannabis that have a high amount of the cannabinoid THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

The two main cannabinoids in cannabis are THC and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is the one that creates the euphoric high, changes how you sense time, slows your speech, and can make it hard to concentrate. It’s also used in some medical settings for pain, nausea, and appetite. CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t get you high. It may help some people feel calmer, sleep better, or feel less anxious, but outside of treating seizures, its medical uses are still being studied.

How Does Weed Cause Addiction?

It’s still not fully understood how cannabis leads to dependence or addiction, but there are a few things we do know. When you use cannabis regularly over a long time, your brain can start relying on it and slow down its own production of endocannabinoids—natural chemicals your body needs to function well.

THC, the part of cannabis that gets you high, also activates your brain’s reward system by triggering a surge of dopamine. That dopamine rush makes your brain associate cannabis use with pleasure, which can lead to a cycle where you keep going back to it just to feel good. Over time, this pattern can turn into dependence or addiction for some people.

How Addictive is Weed?

It is difficult to pin down exactly how addictive marijuana is. Research suggests that about 1 in 10 people who use cannabis will develop some level of dependence in their lifetime, which is lower than with substances like alcohol or cocaine. But the risk goes up if you start using it young or use it often.

There’s also a chance that cannabis use disorder might become more common. People in the U.S. are using cannabis more than they used to, and today’s strains are stronger than in the past. Whether those changes will lead to more cases of addiction is not clear yet.

How will I know if I am Addicted to Weed?

If you are wondering whether your cannabis use has crossed the line into something more serious, here are some signs to watch for. You might have cannabis use disorder if you notice two or more of the following, but you should definitely speak to an Inspire Recovery cannabis addiction expert for informed conclusions.

You use more weed than you planned, or for longer than you meant to.
You have tried to cut back, but can’t seem to stick with it.
A lot of your time goes into getting high or recovering from it.
You feel a strong urge or craving to use.
You are skipping out on responsibilities because you’re high or focused on getting high.
You keep using it even though it’s straining your relationships.
You avoid things you used to enjoy so that you can use weed instead.
You put yourself in risky situations while high.
You suspect weed is affecting your physical or mental health, but keep using anyway.
You need more weed to feel the same effects as before.
You feel moody, restless, tired, or sick when you stop using.

How is Weed Addiction Treated?

Most people with weed addiction do not need professional help, but a cannabis medical detox and rehabilitation can go a long way. Talk therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational enhancement therapy (MET), and contingency management (CM) can help you change the thoughts and habits that make quitting tough. Setting limits, like only using it on weekends, can also be useful. If you find it hard to stick to those limits, that might be a sign there’s a bigger problem. Reaching out to Inspire Recovery can support you in cutting back.

Break Free of Weed Addiction with Inspire Recovery

Marijuana withdrawal might not be as intense as with some other drugs, but it can still be uncomfortable. Inspire Recovery’s medical team keeps a close eye on your symptoms and offers the right support to help you get through it with less stress and discomfort. We offer compassionate, LGBTQ-affirming addiction treatment in Florida. Call 561-763-9815 to discuss your treatment options and begin your recovery.

What are the problems linked to weed addiction?

Marijuana use can affect your ability to think clearly, learn new things, or focus. Driving while high increases the risk of accidents. For those with existing mental health conditions, Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) can make symptoms worse. People who use marijuana heavily are more likely to struggle with unemployment and overall dissatisfaction in life. If you use cannabis every day, you might experience withdrawal symptoms a day or two after stopping, like trouble sleeping, mood swings, or strong cravings that feel hard to control.

What is the difference between cannabis (weed) and synthetic cannabinoids

Cannabis is a natural plant that contains chemicals called cannabinoids. Some of these cannabinoids affect your brain, changing mood or consciousness. People usually smoke or vaporize cannabis, but it can also be consumed in teas, edibles, or other forms. Meanwhile, synthetic cannabinoids are lab-made versions of these chemicals. The FDA approves a few of them to alleviate nausea and vomiting that chemotherapy causes, and those come in capsule form. But many synthetic cannabinoids are sold illegally, often sprayed on dried plants and called “Spice” or “K2.” They are much stronger and can have more intense effects than natural cannabis.

Are you or is someone you know addicted to drugs?

Call Inspire Recovery today at 561-899-6088 for a free & confidential consultation.

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