How to Get Help for a Marijuana Addiction

How to Get Help for a Marijuana Addiction

Published June 2011

Cannabis (more commonly known as marijuana, weed, or pot) is a viral and prevalent drug in the United States. It is even legal for medicinal purposes in some states; however, marijuana is highly abused. When an individual smokes or ingests marijuana, the individual will experience distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and learning and memory issues.

Several research studies have shown that chronic marijuana users have difficulty learning and decreased memory function, which can last for days or weeks after the actual physical “high” or drug effects wear off. Therefore, chronic marijuana abusers are functioning at a suboptimal intellectual and physical level of capability.

Many studies also show a direct correlation between chronic marijuana use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and various mental illnesses. Unfortunately, there are numerous misconceptions about cannabis addiction and treatment and the actual addictive qualities of marijuana. Many pro-marijuana users ridicule the idea that marijuana is addictive. At Passages, we see people addicted to marijuana every day.

Marijuana is a gateway drug, meaning that individuals who abuse it typically drink alcohol more and abuse other drugs, drastically increasing their chances of becoming addicted to numerous substances. Cannabis has definite withdrawal symptoms when an abuser stops using, including vivid dreams (caused by the chemical THC), anxiety, irritability, decreased appetite, paranoia, tension, and insomnia. At Passages Malibu, we treat marijuana addiction and provide a medically supervised detox.