In 2015, about 4 million people in the United States had marijuana use disorder. Over the past few years, the use of Marijuana has increased among the general population. Marijuana is addictive and can cause various adverse effects on the individual struggling with the addiction.

This article will address some of the most commonly asked questions about marijuana addiction, such as is marijuana addiction physical or psychological?

Various treatment options are available for people experiencing marijuana addiction at AspenRidge Recovery. These programs use valid approaches to help individuals stop marijuana abuse and dependency. To know more about it, contact us today at (855) 281-5588.

Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana is one of the most commonly used illicit drugs. Continuous intake of the substance can lead to marijuana use disorder and dependence. Marijuana addiction is closely associated with many health problems, such as heart and mental health problems.

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Marijuana is addictive. Continuous use of the substance can lead to marijuana use disorder, including abuse and addiction. A major characteristic of this disorder is dependence. Therefore, people struggling with addiction often experience withdrawal symptoms whenever they try to stop using it.

Below are some of the withdrawal symptoms:

• Tremors
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Sleep difficulties
• Eating disorders

Marijuana dependence happens when the brain gets used to a large quantity of the substance. Marijuana addiction affects the production of the endocannabinoid neurotransmitter which regulates the mood. Apart from dependence, there are other signs of marijuana addiction in an individual.

Below are some of them:

• Increase in tolerance
• Inability to stop the intake of the substance
• Loss of interest in normal activities
• Moodiness

What Does Physical Addiction Mean?

Physical addiction is a situation in which an individual experiences negative physical symptoms after stopping the usage of the substance. Sometimes the situation occurs when the person struggling with marijuana addiction reduces the amount of the substance intake. For example, the individual may experience pain and other forms of withdrawal symptoms.

Is Marijuana Addiction Physical or Psychological?

Is Marijuana Addiction Physical or Psychological? Marijuana addiction can be both physical and psychological.

Psychological addiction is when an individual struggling with addiction develops an emotional attachment to the substance. Therefore, emotional cravings for Marijuana stem from psychological needs for the substance. Psychological signs that an individual is addicted to Marijuana include loss of interest in normal activities and relationship issues.

On the other hand, physical addiction is when an individual experiences withdrawal symptoms when there is a stop in substance usage. The individual often experiences withdrawal symptoms whenever there is a stop in the substance usage.

Effects of Marijuana on Mental Health

Some studies have shown a correlation between marijuana addiction and mental health disorders. Marijuana addiction increases the risk of mental health problems in some individuals. Moreover, it can worsen mental health problems in patients with existing conditions. Below are some of the effects of Marijuana on mental health

Psychosis

Research has shown an increased risk of psychosis due to the intake of Marijuana. The early stage of psychosis includes hallucinations such as auditory sensory disturbances and a tingling sensation all over the body.

Anxiety Disorders

Marijuana addiction affects an area in the brain that deals with mood and reward. The endocannabinoid system provides a proper reaction to stressful situations that can lead to anxiety. Marijuana use can affect the endocannabinoid system and cause anxiety disorders.

Delusion

Marijuana addiction can lead to delusion. Delusion is an individual’s inability to differentiate between right and wrong. Moreover, a high intake of the substance can lead to a long-lasting delusion.

What Disease Is Medical Marijuana Used For?

Although the intake of Marijuana is prohibited in some places, some states use it to treat illnesses. Different diseases qualify an individual to use Marijuana medically. Below are some of the medical conditions that may require medical Marijuana:

• HIV/AIDS
• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis
• Crohn’s disease

Medical Marijuana may provide relief to any symptoms that the patient is experiencing. However, it has some side effects, such as dizziness, dry mouth, and fatigue.

How Does Marijuana Addiction Treatment Work?

People suffering from marijuana addiction may find it difficult to stop its usage due to dependence on the substance. However, marijuana addiction is harmful to the health of the individual. It increases the risk of developing chronic health conditions. Therefore, the individual should go for marijuana addiction treatment.

The major addiction treatment are inpatient and outpatient programs. The type of treatment an individual with marijuana addiction needs varies. Often, it depends on the extent of the addiction and the treatment that will benefit the person.

What Addiction Treatment Entails

There are various treatments for people struggling with marijuana addiction. Over the past few years, medication and behavioral therapies have proven effective in treating marijuana use disorder. This mode of treatment helps to relieve the individual of the withdrawal symptoms. Some of the behavioral therapies are:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy addresses the thoughts and feelings that trigger the use of Marijuana. Negative thoughts are the root cause of addiction and anxiety disorders. Therefore, behavioral therapy seeks to correct thoughts and help individuals on their journey to recovery.

In addition, cognitive behavioral therapy addresses the conditions that come with marijuana addiction. Examples of such conditions are:

• Eating disorders
• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-Traumatic stress disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Contingency Management

Contingency management is one of the best treatments for marijuana use disorder. It is one of the psychosocial treatments that are highly effective in treating substance use disorder. Contingency management uses some principles which seek to enforce a behavior change.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy

Motivational enhancement therapy is a psychosocial treatment that focuses on how people struggling with addiction can be motivated to change their behavior. In the long run, the individual has an increased ability to overcome the behavior.

Dual Diagnosis in Colorado

Dual diagnosis is the concurrence of marijuana addiction and other mental health conditions in an individual. For example, some individuals who struggle with marijuana addiction also experience alcohol use disorder and need treatment for both conditions. Marijuana addiction can worsen the symptoms of mental health conditions because of the adverse effects the substance has on the brain.

Also, people struggling with marijuana addiction find it difficult to manage mental health conditions, worsening the case. Furthermore, individuals with mental health problems can abuse Marijuana to treat themselves or help themselves out of the state.

Get Treatment From AspenRidge Treatment Centers!

AspenRidge Recovery offers treatment for people struggling with marijuana addiction and other substance use disorders. These people can get help at Colorado Marijuana Addiction treatment centers as soon as possible. AspenRidge Recovery has centers in Fort Collins, Denver, and Colorado Springs, all in Colorado.

In addition, there are different marijuana addiction treatments peculiar to each individual. For questions, clarifications, and to know more about AspenRidge Recovery, contact us today at (855) 281-5588.