Signs Of Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana is one of the most popular recreational drugs in the United States. The vast majority of Americans have used marijuana at least once in their lifetime, with more than 25% of high schoolers trying marijuana each year. Signs of marijuana addiction may be difficult to spot but can include things like smoking excessive amounts of marijuana and spending the majority of your time acquiring and using marijuana.

Marijuana may not pose the same dangers as substances like heroin or alcohol, but marijuana can lead to experimenting with more dangerous drugs and can lead to marijuana addiction. Additionally, marijuana can cause dependency, making it hard to quit using without the help of an addiction recovery coaching program at a marijuana addiction treatment program in St. Augustine FL.

WHAT IS MARIJUANA?

Marijuana is produced from cannabis plants and can be smoked or ingested. Marijuana effects can last for several hours when smoked, with the immediate onset of intoxication occurring within minutes of smoking. When you ingest marijuana, such as in a food, the effects take about an hour to set in but can last four times longer than when you smoke it.
Marijuana can also:

• Interfere with cognitive functioning
• Cause sleep disturbances
• Increase anxiety
• Worsen co-occurring disorders, like depression
• Cause severe disorientation

THC, which is the main active ingredient in marijuana, produces the pleasurable effects associated with marijuana use. THC levels vary significantly among different strains of marijuana. While THC levels averaged 6% in street marijuana in the 1960s, THC levels today now average more than 14%. Higher THC levels lead to more intense highs. Although marijuana overdoses are not fatal, they can require medical help if you experience hallucinations or panic attacks and you may need a drug addiction treatment center.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF MARIJUANA ADDICTION?

While many marijuana users are not addicted to marijuana, the signs of marijuana addictions can significantly impact your daily life. Needing to smoke marijuana every day, especially multiple times per day, can prevent you from working, going to school or engaging with others.

Other symptoms of marijuana addiction can include:

• Experiencing legal problems due to your marijuana use
• Spending the majority of your time and money using or acquiring marijuana
• Engaging in dangerous behaviors to acquire marijuana
• Inability to control or limit your marijuana use
• Not feeling normal unless you smoke marijuana

Long term marijuana use can negatively impact your cognition, especially your memory. When you begin experiencing multiple signs of marijuana addiction, friends or family may confront you about your marijuana use.

Since marijuana remains illegal under federal law and in most states, you may face criminal charges for possession or DUI. Legal charges can create issues with finding a job, as well as create a significant financial burden. You may have to pay significant attorney fees, fines and court costs, which can create financial problems.

GETTING HELP TODAY

If you or a loved one is showing signs of marijuana addiction, help is only a phone call away. Pearl of the Sea Retreat, the premier addiction treatment center in St. Augustine, FL offers, is here to help you find recovery. Call us today at 866-962-1907 to learn more about our unique programs.