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Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana (sometimes referred to as dope, pot, or weed) contains the dried flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant.1 Continued marijuana use can lead to addiction, an outcome that may become more likely with an increasingly potent supply of the drug.2 Despite its perception as a gateway drug, the majority of people who use marijuana do not go on to use other “harder” drugs.2

Marijuana is most often used among younger people, with around 12 million young adults using it in 2018.2 The drug can be smoked in bongs, joints, or pipes while some people use vaporizers to avoid inhaling smoke. Marijuana can also be mixed into food, known as edibles. In the United States, marijuana is the third most used addictive drug after tobacco and alcohol.2

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Marijuana contains tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which affects the brain and changes your consciousness or mood, leading to the sensation of feeling high.1,3 Daily use of weed can lead to the development of marijuana addiction, which is also referred to as a cannabis use disorder or marijuana use disorder.

Substance use disorders (SUDs) like these are medical conditions that affect a person’s brain and behavior. In cases of a marijuana use disorder, it becomes difficult for a person to stop using the drug despite its potential for negative health and social consequences. About 10-30% of people who use weed may develop some degree of marijuana use disorder.2

It is unlikely that marijuana itself will result in a fatal overdose, but too much of it can cause severe adverse reactions. Some of the signs and symptoms that you have used too much weed include:4

  • Anxiety.
  • Panic.
  • Rapid heart rate.
  • Increased blood pressure.
  • Delusions.
  • Paranoia.
  • Hallucinations.
  • Severe nausea and vomiting.

What Is Marijuana Addiction?

A substance use disorder (SUD), or addiction, is a chronic, complex disease. For many, it takes more than good intentions, morals, or a strong will to simply stop using drugs. Marijuana is one such drug that can lead to addiction.

Some people may progress toward addiction in a stepwise or staged manner. Young people appear to move faster through these stages than adults. They include:10

  • Experimental drug use, which involves peers and recreational use by teens, is usually in defiance of parents or other authority figures.
  • Regular use to quell negative feelings. People can start missing school or work, become worried about losing drug sources, and begin to seek relationships with regular users.
  • Problem or risky use, wherein drug use becomes more important than all other interests. People may experience a loss of motivation and stop caring about school or work.
  • The final phase of addiction, when the person cannot control their drug use. They may be unable to get through their day without drugs, and they may experience worsening employment, financial, and social problems.

Like many drugs, marijuana is thought to affect the reward circuit in the brain. The reward circuit functions to motivate people to repeat behaviors that make us feel good.11 Though the brain chemical details may be somewhat different from other drugs of abuse like opioids, marijuana use results in a stimulation of this reward system, which reinforces its continued use.11,12

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Marijuana Addiction?

To be diagnosed with a cannabis use disorder, an individual needs to meet at least 2 of the following criteria within a 12-month period:13

  • Having cravings, or a strong desire or urge to use marijuana.
  • Marijuana is used in larger amounts over a longer period than intended.
  • Continued marijuana use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or worsened by drug use.
  • Important social, work-related, or recreational activities are given up due to marijuana use.
  • There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful effort to cut down or control marijuana use.
  • Continuing use despite knowing that a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem is caused or worsened by marijuana use.
  • Recurrent marijuana use in situations where it is dangerous.
  • Needing more marijuana to achieve the previous effect, known as tolerance.
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
  • There is a large amount of time spent obtaining marijuana, using it, or recovering from its effects.
  • Recurrent marijuana use results in failure to fulfill obligations at work, school, or home.

Other symptoms of marijuana addiction include the development of withdrawal symptoms after stopping use:3

  • Irritability.
  • Trouble sleeping.
  • Decreased appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
  • Anxiety.
  • Cravings.

It is important to remember that when people are addicted to marijuana, they are also at greater risk of developing its negative long-term effects including lung problems or issues with attention and memory learning.

Marijuana Withdrawal

With continued long-term use of marijuana, dependence can develop. A person with physiological marijuana dependence who tries to quit may experience withdrawal symptoms that make stopping additionally difficult. The symptoms of marijuana withdrawal include:2,13

  • Irritability.
  • Restlessness.
  • Anxiety.
  • Depressed mood.
  • Sleep problems (e.g., nightmares, insomnia).
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Decreased appetite.
  • Fever, chills, or sweating.
  • Shakiness or tremors.
  • Cravings for more weed.

What Are the Health Risks of Marijuana Use?

There are both short-term and long-term effects of marijuana use.

Short-term effects may include:3

  • Altered perception of senses.
  • Altered sense of time (e.g., minutes feeling like hours).
  • Changes in mood.
  • Changes in cognition (e.g., decreased memory and problem-solving ability).
  • Increased appetite.
  • Impaired body movements.

Early marijuana use may be associated with certain brain development issues; as a result, some teenagers may experience both short- and long-term problems with thinking, memory, and learning.3 One study suggests that use at a young age may also decrease a person’s IQ by as much as 8 points.2,5

Long-term effects may include:2,3,5

  • Coughing and breathing problems with frequent smoking.
  • More frequent pulmonary illness.
  • Higher risk of lung infections.
  • Increased lung injury connected to vaping.
  • Affects to your mental health (depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, psychotic episodes).

Take Our “Am I Addicted to Marijuana?” Self-Assessment

Take our free, 5-minute “Am I Addicted to Marijuana” self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with marijuana addiction. The evaluation consists of yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. Substance use disorders should be diagnosed by professionals using these diagnostic criteria after thorough patient assessment. This self-assessment is free and confidential and may serve as an indicator of a potential addiction but should not replace a diagnosis from a professional treatment provider.

How Do I Get Help for Marijuana Addiction?

Like other drugs, treatment is available for marijuana use disorder. On average, adults who seek treatment for marijuana addiction have used the drug daily for many years and have made repeated efforts to quit previously.14 It can be important that people with marijuana use disorder are simultaneously treated for any mental health issues and additional substance addictions since both prevalently co-occur. Behavioral therapy like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational enhancement therapy, and contingency management are helpful behavioral treatment options for the treatment of marijuana abuse.14

It is important to have an individualized approach to treatment. Your treatment plan should be tailored to your needs and readily accessible. There are various treatment options available, including inpatient or outpatient treatment. Inpatient or residential treatment involves staying in a facility that offers 24-hour structured and dedicated care, a safe sober living space, and medical attention if needed.15 In outpatient treatments, you will encounter a variety of programs that involve visiting a behavioral health counselor on a regular basis, followed by group therapy and attending 12-step groups.15

There are also support groups that can help you as you work toward becoming sober and maintaining that sobriety. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a mutual support group that offers people the opportunity to use peer bonds, sponsor relationships, and self-expression to work toward sobriety. There are also non-12-step programs available that offer alternatives to NA.

Where Can I Learn More about Treating Marijuana Addiction?

For more information about marijuana use disorder and marijuana addiction treatment, you may want to reach out to your doctor. Or you can contact one of our admissions navigators at for the information and support you are looking for as you look for marijuana addiction treatment.

There are various treatment programs and strategies available for marijuana addiction, so don’t give up if the first program you check out doesn’t meet your individual needs.

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