Understanding Marijuana

Learn About Marijuana

Marijuana, which consists of leaves, stems, and flowers of the cannabis sativa plant, is one of the most frequently abused drugs in the United States. The drug is commonly ingested by being smoked, added to food and eaten, or brewed into a tea. The principal psychoactive component of marijuana is THC, which is short for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. THC interacts with several parts of the brain, including the hippocampus, which is associated with the creation of memories, and the amygdala, which is linked to emotional learning.

The short-term effects of marijuana abuse include mild to moderate analgesia, stimulated appetite, impaired memory, enhanced relaxation, and distorted perceptions of time and space. Multiple studies suggest that chronic and/or heavy marijuana abuse may lead to irreversible structural changes in the brain, including decreases in the volume of the hippocampus and amygdala.

Though many people hold the mistaken belief that marijuana is a harmless substance, the truth is that abusing this drug can lead to significant negative outcomes. Thankfully, substance abuse treatment centers have developed effective programming that can help people regain control over their behaviors, overcome the compulsion to abuse marijuana, and resume their pursuit of a healthy drug-free future.

Statistics

Marijuana Statistics

Surveys indicate that about 25 million people in the United States have abused marijuana at least once in the past year, and that about 100 million Americans have abused this drug at least one time in their lives. Globally, information provided by the United Nations indicates that about 3.5% of the world’s population (or about 155 million people) engage in marijuana abuse every year.

In the first decade of the 21^st century, nearly seven million Americans were arrested for violating laws related to the use, possession, or sale of marijuana. The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) reports that in 2011 alone, marijuana abuse contributed to more than than 450,000 visits to emergency rooms.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and Risk Factors for Marijuana Addiction

Several genetic and environmental influences may determine a person’s risk of abusing or becoming dependent upon marijuana.

Genetic: Having a parent or sibling who has or had a substance use disorder increases the likelihood that a person will also develop a substance use disorder, as does having a family history of mental illness. As advances in technology have provided researchers with greater insights into human genetics, more than 250 genes, acting alone or in clusters, have been identified as possibly having an influence over whether or not a person will be predisposed to developing a substance use disorder.

Environmental: Growing up in a family where the abuse of marijuana and/or other drugs was commonplace can be not just a genetic risk factor but also an environmental influence on a person’s chance of developing a substance use disorder. Other environmental influences that can raise a person’s likelihood of abusing marijuana include living in poverty, having chronic exposure to stress, experiencing trauma, and associating with friends or colleagues who abuse drugs.

Risk Factors:

Age (most people who abuse marijuana first do so before age 30)
Personal or family history of substance abuse
Personal or family history of mental illness
Personal history of trauma
Poor stress-management capabilities
Early exposure to substance abuse

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Marijuana Addiction

The following are among the many symptoms that may indicate that a person is engaging in marijuana abuse:

Behavioral symptoms:

Possessing rolling papers, roach clips, and other drug paraphernalia
Neglecting one’s appearance and personal hygiene
Acting secretively or deceptively regarding one’s activities and/or whereabouts
Pattern of unexplained absences from work or school
Declining performance at work or in school
Engaging in eating binges
Engaging in risky, reckless, or otherwise dangerous behaviors

Physical symptoms:

Problems with balance and coordination
Impaired motor skills
Delayed reaction time
Increased appetite and resultant weight gain
Lethargy
Hypersomnia
Dry mouth
Bloodshot and/or glassy eyes

Cognitive symptoms:

Poor decision-making skills
Problems forming or recalling memories
Impaired concentration
Difficulty tracking the passage of time
Impaired sensory perception

Psychosocial symptoms:

Agitation and irritability
Fear, panic, and/or paranoia
Social withdrawal and isolation

Effects

Effects of Marijuana Abuse

Chronic marijuana abuse can increase a person’s risk for experiencing a wide range of short- and long-term damage, including the following:

Respiratory infections and lung damage
Heart problems
Abuse of alcohol and other substances
Impaired capacity for learning
Academic failure
Job loss and unemployment
Sexual dysfunction
Legal problems, including potential incarceration
Financial trouble
Family discord
Damaged or destroyed interpersonal relationships

Co-Occurring Disorders

Marijuana Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders

Many individuals who abuse marijuana are also struggling with co-occurring mental health disorders such as the following:

Anxiety disorders
Bipolar disorder
Major depressive disorder
Persistent depressive disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Withdrawal

Effects of Withdrawal

Sudden cessation of use after a person’s body has become dependent upon marijuana can bring about several unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, including the following: