Dealing with an addiction is difficult, regardless of the substance. If you or someone you love has a marijuana addiction, Buena Vista Recovery can provide a path toward recovery with our patient-focused approach to treatment. Below, we outline more about the drug, including marijuana facts and statistics, and help you learn about addiction and treatment.
What Is Marijuana?
Marijuana is a psychoactive drug derived from the cannabis plant that users can smoke or consume in food and beverage products. It is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in America. While often used for its relaxation effects, it can also be addictive and cause lifelong health problems, primarily when used by minors and young adults.
Marijuana also goes by other names, such as cannabis, weed, Mary Jane, pot, bud, ganja, reefer, grass, hash, and dope. It may have some medicinal benefits and can treat medical conditions, but the drug still has the potential for abuse and addiction. Therefore, it’s essential to understand the potential side effects, symptoms of addiction, and treatment options.
Quick Marijuana Facts and Statistics
- Around 18% of Americans reported using marijuana in 2019, making it the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the US.
- Approximately 30% of people who use marijuana have a marijuana use disorder. The risk of developing this disorder is higher in younger users.
- Frequent and long-term marijuana use has been linked to increased risks of schizophrenia and psychosis.
- Marijuana use can cause permanent IQ loss in people who begin using at a young age.
- In Arizona, medical marijuana can treat chronic and debilitating medical conditions and diseases, such as cancer, severe and chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Effects of Marijuana Use
Although many people use marijuana for its euphoria and relaxation effects, the drug can have both short- and long-term effects on an individual’s overall health and well-being.
| Short-Term Effects of Marijuana Use | Long-Term Effects of Marijuana Use |
|---|---|
| Altered senses, including an altered sense of time | Impaired learning ability, thinking, and memory |
| Changes in mood | Physical dependence |
| Movement impairment | Psychological addiction |
| Difficulty with problem-solving, thinking, and concentration | Increased risk of complications during pregnancy |
| Impaired memory | Permanent IQ loss (in younger users) |
| Increased risk of psychosis | Reduced overall performance |
Marijuana Addiction and Treatment
At Buena Vista, we recognize the potential benefits of medical marijuana for specific medical conditions, but we also understand the potential health and addiction risks associated with its use.
Symptoms of marijuana addiction include:
- Cravings
- Increased tolerance
- Withdrawal symptoms when attempting to reduce use or quit entirely
While a marijuana addiction may not be as physically harmful as an addiction to other drugs, it can still have significant consequences on a person’s physical and mental health. It’s also challenging to quit using it alone, especially when you enjoy its effects on your body and mind.
Buena Vista offers several treatment programs to help individuals overcome marijuana addiction, including our marijuana detox program, individual and group therapies, and more.
Contact us today to learn more about marijuana addiction, explore treatment options, and get help on your path toward recovery.
