What Most Don’t Know About Marijuana Addiction

Most people think that marijuana is harmless. While it’s true that using marijuana isn’t as destructive as heroin, for example, that doesn’t make it harmless. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 3 in 10 people who use marijuana will become addicted to it. Marijuana is much stronger now than it was in decades past, according to confiscated samples.

Even worse, the younger you are when you start using marijuana, the more likely you are to experience brain changes that predispose you to have problems with its use. The providers at 2nd Chance Treatment Center explain more about marijuana addiction and why it’s a form of substance abuse that you should take very seriously.

The signs of marijuana addiction

Marijuana is commonly believed to be completely harmless, even less so than alcohol. The truth is that either substance can lead to addiction. The signs of marijuana addiction in someone you love may include:

• Increased anxiety after using marijuana, which often doesn’t go away
• Depression
• Lack of desire to be social
• Paranoia or feeling like “everyone is out to get you”

Any of these signs can indicate you or a loved one have a problem.

Risks for marijuana addiction

Marijuana doesn’t just have social or mental health impacts. Regular marijuana use, in particular, increases the risks to your physical health as well.

The health risks include:

• Increased risk of heart attack
• Increased risk of lung cancer
• Increased risk of pneumonia
• Decreased immune system function, making you more vulnerable to infections

All of these risks make marijuana addiction a serious problem.

Why the risks increase the younger you start

Many people who develop an addiction to or a dependence on marijuana start using it before they’re 18 years old. This is particularly risky because the brain is still developing until about age 25.

The number of people who start using marijuana before age 18 and become addicted to it is estimated to be about 1 in 6. This can create problems with memory, attention, coordination, decision-making, movement, and the ability to learn.

The long-term health effects of marijuana use

Using marijuana has long-term effects on your health. Some of the ways marijuana use can affect your health over time include:

• Coughing and an increased risk of bronchitis
• Breathing problems
• Decreased bone density
• Poorer mental health, including a greater risk of anxiety, depression, and even psychosis
• Cognitive problems, which may not be reversible

Although marijuana use may seem like it’s not such a big deal, it can have serious effects on your health.

The unknown factors

The fact is, the medical community still doesn’t know everything about marijuana use and how it can affect you. It’s known, however, that marijuana use is especially dangerous to developing brains. That means both that it’s riskier for teenagers and that it’s very risky for pregnant women. It’s better to just say no.

Marijuana use is prevalent nowadays, with social acceptance significantly growing. But it still requires a lot of caution. If someone you know has a problem with marijuana addiction, call the providers at 2nd Chance Treatment Center, or request an appointment online.