[D3857]

A lot of people have told me marijuana addictions don’t exist but I’m finding it impossible to stop. I spend way too much money on it, I just spent my last $5 on a gram that I wanted to last me a few days (wishful thinking as I usually smoke over 3 grams a day) and I smoked it all in like 3 hours. I’m leaving myself with no food money because I’m spending it all to get high. When I try to stop I feel terrible like I’m withdrawing. I’ve been smoking nearly every day for 11 years. I’m not sure what to do at this point, if it’s not an addiction, what is it?! Why can’t I stop?!

[mote.of.soul]

Yes, a person can definitely get addicted to marijuana just like any other drug, D3857. I know people who have been to drug rehab and I've met people who attend support groups who have addictions to marijuana. What you're describing are things associated to drug addiction.

I'll venture to say you can't stop because, yes, you're addicted and you don't know how to stop. I suggest reaching out for help and support in your local community. Don't you worry though, you're absolutely not alone with this problem.

Btw, there's are even a Marijuana Anonymous just like there's an Alcoholics Anonymous. You can find MA on the internet.

[D3857]

Originally Posted by mote.of.soul

Yes, a person can definitely get addicted to marijuana just like any other drug, D3857. I know people who have been to drug rehab and I've met people who attend support groups who have addictions to marijuana. What you're describing are things associated to drug addiction.

I'll venture to say you can't stop because, yes, you're addicted and you don't know how to stop. I suggest reaching out for help and support in your local community. Don't you worry though, you're absolutely not alone with this problem.

Btw, there's are even a Marijuana Anonymous just like there's an Alcoholics Anonymous. You can find MA on the internet.

Thank you so much for the reply, I checked out the MA thing I think I’m going to go to some meetings. Thanks again

[bpcyclist]

Met lots of people in treatment who were absolutely addicted to marijuana.

[splitimage]

Absolutely. I met people in rehab, who were in for marijuana. And there were definite physical and psychological withdrawal effects - not as dramatic as some other drugs but still there.


Good luck with MA..

splitimage

[sarahsweets]

All mood altering substances can be addictive- drugs & alcohol of course but coffee, caffeine, energy drinks, nicotine, vaping- and also MJ.

[Skeezyks]

Here's a link to an article, from Psych Central's archives, that may be of some interest:

New Evidence That Marijuana Changes the Brain | The Science of Addiction

[SBOtaku]

Not sure if this is true or not but I was always told you don't become addicted to marijuana. You become addicted to the chemical in it that triggers the part of your brain that makes or creates the chemical that makes you happy. You smoke so much that your brain becomes dependant on the chemical in marijuana that triggers your brain to release the chemical that makes you happy. So yes and no?

[annoyedgrunt84]

Addicted might be the wrong word, but if you are using it to escape from feeling bad or otherwise self medicating with it you could definitely be abusing it.

[Paracelsus]

taper off the pot with an oral route. Then quiet if that's what you think you need to do.

[Magnoliy]

Weed is amazing and all but it acts as a strong antidepressant so when one quits smoking he or she sometimes discovers that he or she is depressed. The depression was always there yet weed was masking it.

You have two choices imo: quit using weed and see a doctor or.. continue to smoke it.. growing your own pot may reduce the price to almost zero btw

[GearZero57]

To be honest get the withdrawal out the way by eating right and exercise. Tips on easing the withdrawal are on the internet try them.

[DechanDawa]

I am amused this is argued now. Back in the day (waaaay back) everyone KNEW pot was addictive. Addicts were called....potheads! I dated one guy who turned out to be a pothead. He smoked all day every day...at work...before work...after work. I had to break up with him even though he was so hot. Next I dated a genius artist who also turned out to be a pothead. If you hang around potheads you smoke more and more and more. After that, for me...NO MORE POTHEADS. The next guy I met hardly partied at all. I married him.

[luvyrself]

I have been reading that today’s cannabis is much stronger than in the old days. I use non THC gummies and love them-at a very low dose-but non thc products never make you high .
I agree w the folks that say that standard weed with thc is addictive.

[DechanDawa]

I am in a state where it is legal. I sought it out for back pain. As a pain reliever it was a miracle...really effective. But the hybrids are very intense. I tried CBT and it did nothing. Tried candy infused with THC...very ineffective...and very expensive. Now not interested in any of it. But in my state there was initially a wave of seniors showing up in the Emergency Room with panic and anxiety related to just ingesting...too much weed. Guess they were not hippies back in the day. Back then homegrown weed was mellow -- you could work and go to school on it...but for a fact... it was still addictive.

[random1human]

I think technically it isn't an addiction but a dependency. still severe, I think the difference is in the withdrawal but I'm not sure

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by random1human

I think technically it isn't an addiction but a dependency. still severe, I think the difference is in the withdrawal but I'm not sure

Interesting point. I smoked every day for a year then joined Peace Corps and went somewhere with no weed. I think you are right...I had cravings but nothing near withdrawal. Thanks for this. I will probably still use the word addictive tho.

[Fuzzybear]

Probably,,

Naturally, it is not available legally in this prehistoric forest...

[bpcyclist]

I have always worried greatly about people with a mental illness diathesis or history using marijuana. Here is some new information supporting that worry: NPR Choice page

[baileychic74]

Absolutely I was addicted for years. A lot of friends from high school who smoked all these years are now bipolar, I think it's related. My uncle smoked for years too, then he had a stroke last year just a couple of months after finishing a triathalon. He can no longer smoke marijuana because it affects his heart rate. The main withdrawal issue tho is upset stomach/lack of appetite. It's a lot more harmful to one's health than people think. If you have to compare your drug to meth or heroin to make it look better then you know there is a problem lol.

[CatsNstuff]

Addiction can come in many forms and can be almost anything. Growing up I got addicted to videogames as an escape from reality for 10 months, I'd literally wake up and play video games all day, everyday, only left my room to use the restroom. I ate, slept and played games in my room. My parents were wonderful about it and just let me be until I came out of it and went back to school. Anything can become addictive if it begins to disrupt your well being, if you're unable to meet your social, work or personal responsibilities to keep yourself safe and healthy.

Addictions to substances is especially bad as it has an immediate and direct impact on your body's chemicals. It is why alcohol withdrawal is do dangerous. It's why heavy coffee drinkers can be very irritable without their coffee. In the case of regular cannabis use, serotonin release and reception is increased far past the normal rate. Regular cannabis use will condition your body to release and receive high volumes of serotonin. If you decided to stop consuming cannabis your body will struggle to release and receive the same volume it got use to, the serotonin effects of regular cannabis use also decreases overtime with use which is why regular users will use more and more to maintain the same level of high.

I have been a regular daily consumer of cannabis for the past 5 years. I recently chose to stop as I recognized I've been abusing it to bury my feelings related to my cluster B traits causing havoc in my personal life. I've tried quitting in the past but I usually didn't make it past a week, mostly because I couldn't handle the night terrors, waking up sweating and high heart rate and a feeling of dread and terror, sometimes I will see distressing visuals upon waking up as well, giant spiders and stereotypical monsters, etc.

It has been more than 5 weeks now and my symptoms have gotten better. The night terrors are less frequent, visual distress has decreased as well. From my understanding the human body should be mostly free of the negative effects of cannabis withdrawal after several months, up to a year. Everyone's body and mind is different so your mileage may very, I just wanted to share my experience.