Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana addiction (cannabis addiction) is a serious substance use disorder that can significantly impact individuals and families. We offer expert marijuana addiction treatment.

Yes. You can become addicted to marijuana and develop marijuana use disorder (also called cannabis use disorder).

Despite the fact that recreational and medical use of cannabis is legal in 29 US states, cannabis does pose risks for dependency. Significant scientific evidence and high-quality, peer-reviewed studies prove that today’s high-potency THC products can lead to addiction (using more cannabis or using it more often than intended) and develop significant adverse side effects.

A late 2023 study published in the JAMA Network suggests that more than 20 percent of people using cannabis have a cannabis use disorder (CUD), and 6 percent have severe CUD. Treatment professionals nationwide began to see a significant increase in the number of patients experiencing CUD following ongoing legalization and commercialization efforts.

What is cannabis addiction?

Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is when someone uses more cannabis or uses cannabis for a longer period of time than intended. Like other addictive disorders, people with cannabis use disorder feel compelled to use cannabis, need to consume more cannabis to experience the same relative effects and continue using cannabis despite experiencing negative side effects.

What are the signs of marijuana addiction?

  • The inability to stop using cannabis (THC products)
  • Concentration and memory problems
  • Psychosis or psychotic episodes
  • Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) (continuous vomiting)
  • People also report problems with anxiety and panic, sleep disturbances, and heart problems.

Cannabis Treatment Challenges

Treating cannabis addiction poses unique challenges

Long-term use of highly concentrated cannabis products can lead to a buildup of THC and other cannabinoids in the body’s fatty tissue. Stored THC and cannabis can continuously be released into the bloodstream, causing people to experience the effects of THC even after they have stopped using cannabis products.

Because cannabis can affect cognitive abilities, paranoia, and psychosis, people may require long periods of supervised detoxification before engaging in treatment. Cannabis-induced hyperemesis poses another challenge in that clients may experience prolonged periods of vomiting and nausea for which they require medical attention.

How we treat cannabis use disorder

We provide comprehensive residential treatment for cannabis use disorder. While humans have used cannabis for thousands of years, the high-potency THC products produced in the past decade bear no resemblance to the marijuana of yesteryear. Even now, new forms of THC and synthetic THC derivatives are being transformed into more potent and addictive products.

Just as cannabis is evolving, so too is the treatment of cannabis use disorder. Not only do too few behavioral healthcare providers offer specialized cannabis addiction treatment, but some mainstream doctors perpetuate the myth that cannabis is nonaddictive or poses little danger of causing addiction. This is why Foundry Front Range stays up to speed with the latest cannabis use disorder evidence-based care.

Marijuana addiction FAQs

Is marijuana addiction real?

Absolutely. Marijuana addiction (technically referred to as cannabis use disorder) is real and is an official diagnosis contained within the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM). THC, the primary psychoactive compound found in marijuana, is an elative psychoactive drug that can cause dependence.

What are the symptoms of marijuana addiction?

Addiction symptoms vary from person to person. However, cannabis use disorder (marijuana addiction) can typically be identified by a perceived need to use more cannabis than desired or use it more often than desired. Like other substances, cannabis use disorder can cause people to need higher doses of cannabis to feel the same effects. Other symptoms include continuing to use cannabis despite negative consequences.

What medical problems does marijuana addiction cause?

Marijuana addiction (cannabis use disorder) can cause numerous adverse health effects. Cannabis-induced psychosis (being disconnected from reality), paranoia and paranoia-related violence, hyperemesis syndrome (prolonged bouts of vomiting and nausea), and exposure to accidents and falls are some widely reported impacts. Other marijuana addiction dangers include accidents related to driving while using cannabis and exposure to legal and financial losses associated with use.

Does cannabis have medical benefits?

Three FDA-approved medications have been developed from cannabis derivatives or synthetics. These medicines, which are prescribed by medical doctors, are used to treat rare seizure conditions and nausea or appetite loss due to wasting conditions associated with HIV/AIDS and cancer treatment. No cannabis-based medications have been created to treat pain, and claims that cannabis may be a useful alternative to opioids or other types of pain medicines are not substantiated by scientific evidence.

Does treating cannabis addiction require detox?

Not necessarily. Unlike alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and some other substances, THC withdrawal symptoms are not typically life-threatening. However, THC stored in the body’s fat cells can remain in the body and continue affecting individuals for an extended time, during which they may require supervision. Therefore, it is sometimes necessary to provide a time for detoxification from cannabis use disorder, although typically without the need for the medical supervision required to detoxify from some other substances.