Marijuana is a Leading Addiction in the U.S.

Millions of people smoke marijuana on a regular basis. For some, occasional use never develops into a problem. For others, however, it leads to increased tolerance, dependence, and a full-blown addiction. Adolescent users are increasingly more likely to develop an addiction than those who begin using later in life.

The primary psychoactive chemical compound found in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol—or THC for short. It’s responsible for the drug’s addictive tendencies. The chemical causes users to experience a euphoric high when users smoke or ingest the substance. This extreme sense of elation also causes them to chase that high.

Though the effects of marijuana use are relatively mild compared to other drugs, repetitive use can still lead to problems. Marijuana is a habit-forming substance, so dependence and addiction are possible if usage occurs over a long period of time. Once dependence has developed, long-time users become at risk of withdrawal whenever they attempt to stop or cut back their dosage.

Marijuana Detox

In past decades, the medical community believed that marijuana didn’t have addictive properties. This belief likely stemmed from the fact that marijuana detox is slight in comparison to detox off of heavier drugs like cocaine and heroin. Even so, recent studies prove that marijuana is indeed addictive. While symptoms are generally mild, they can still cause feelings of discomfort for the user.

If you experience an onset of withdrawal symptoms whenever you stop using marijuana, a medically monitored marijuana detox ensures that individuals are comfortable during the process. However, you’ll still need professional addiction counseling to conquer your problem for good and learn lifelong relapse prevention tools.