Addiction is a debilitating disease that can take control of your life and make it unmanageable. The problem is that when people think about addiction, they typically think of harder drugs like heroin and cocaine. While the United States is facing an opioid crisis, people often don’t realize they can have addictions to other substances. One of the primary addictions that often goes unnoticed is when people have a marijuana addiction.
Why Marijuana Addiction Goes Unnoticed
Addiction comes in many forms, and it doesn’t always have to be an illegal substance like heroin. One of the common arguments is that marijuana is being legalized and has some medical benefits. What you have to take into consideration is that while alcohol is legal, it can also be highly addictive. There are prescription medications like benzodiazepines and opioids that can also become addictive. Although marijuana is a natural substance, it’s very possible to develop a marijuana addiction.
Another reason why people don’t believe you can have an addiction to marijuana is that people don’t die from an overdose. This is also flawed logic when you look at other addictions that people don’t question as much, such as gambling or overeating. An addiction to marijuana can develop over time even though it doesn’t have as many physical side effects as other substances. This type of addiction can develop based on the way the brain forms habits and becomes psychologically dependent on certain actions.
How Marijuana Addiction Develops
The human brain is designed to be efficient and to help you do things that make you feel good and reduce suffering. The problem is that this type of wiring of the brain can change based on how you use substances like marijuana. Much like an alcohol addiction, when you begin using marijuana based on certain triggers, you become dependent. The brain operates through a cycle known as the habit loop, which includes the following:
- Trigger
- Behavior
- Reward
For example, if you smoke marijuana every time you’re experiencing stress, this can develop into an addiction. The stress would be the trigger, smoking marijuana is the behavior, and alleviating the stress is the reward. Each time you perform this cycle, you create a memory that makes your brain believe marijuana is the best solution for stress. The problem is that eventually, your marijuana use can become your primary source of stress.
Do You Have a Marijuana Addiction?
In order to get the help that you need, it’s extremely important that you’re able to recognize when you have an addiction. One of the most difficult parts about addiction is that it can send you into denial. This is why people with an addiction to different substances often justify and rationalize their usage. However, you’ll have to recognize that although you don’t always have problems with marijuana, all of your problems are a result of your usage.
If you’re starting to notice that you’re experiencing difficulties at work or school because of your use, this can be the first sign. For many people, friends and family will begin commenting on your use if it’s starting to become an issue. Most importantly, you have to ask yourself if your use of marijuana is restricting you from reaching your goals. When you develop this addiction, you’re no longer on the path of becoming the person that you were meant to be.
If you feel that you’re suffering from a marijuana addiction, allow Memphis Recovery Centers to help you. We’re a drug and alcohol treatment center located in Memphis, Tennessee. Our goal is to help you regain control of your life. You’ll find that there’s nothing to be ashamed of by asking for help, and you’ll see that you’re not alone. In treatment, you’ll have others with you who are pursuing a better life that’s free of substance use. We have a team of licensed professionals who can help you get down to the root of your addiction.
Some of the programs we offer here include:
To learn more about how we can help you beat your marijuana addiction, call us today at 901-272-7751.
