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What is Marijuana Abuse?
Marijuana abuse can have dire consequences if left untreated. Changes in state laws mean marijuana is available to more people, for both medical and recreational use. But whether you use it legally or illegally, it’s possible to abuse it and get addicted to it. This is known as marijuana use disorder.
Marijuana has a chemical in it called THC. It’s a lot like one your brain makes (anandamide) that sends messages between nerve cells throughout your body. If you use marijuana regularly, your brain can stop making its own version and start to depend on THC instead.
Signs of Marijuana/Cannabis Abuse and Addiction
Marijuana abuse is when you feel like you need it and you have withdrawal symptoms when you don’t use it. If you stop, you might:
- Not be hungry
- Feel especially irritable or moody
- Feel more anxious or restless than usual
- Not be able to sleep
Marijuana abuse turns into addiction when you can’t stop using the drug even though it’s affecting things like your job or your relationships. Almost 10% of people who use marijuana regularly will become addicted to it at some point.
Treatment for Marijuana Abuse and Addiction
This usually focuses on changing your behavior. Options include:
Talk therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy works well for a lot of people. It helps you understand the thoughts and behaviors that lead to your drug use and replace them with healthier ones.
Motivational incentives: Sometimes called “contingency management,” this is when you give yourself a reward for staying drug-free. You’ll work with a mental health therapist or addiction specialist to set your goals and rewards.
Motivational enhancement therapy (MET): This is designed to help you commit to changing your behavior. It usually involves only two to four sessions, and your counselor will work with you more like a partner than an expert. It’s often used along with the other types of therapy.
Medication: The FDA hasn’t approved any medicines to treat marijuana abuse, but studies are being done to see if ones used for sleep, anxiety, and other issues may help. If you have a psychological condition like anxiety or depression, treating it with medication may help you stop abusing marijuana.
