Marijuana and Addiction
Long-term marijuana use can lead to addiction; that is, people use the drug compulsively even though it interferes with family, school, work, and recreational activities.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2008 of the estimated 7 million Americans classified with dependence on or abuse of illicit drugs, 4 million were dependent on or abused marijuana. In 2007…
15.8% of people entering drug abuse treatment programs reported marijuana as their primary drug of abuse (61% of those under 15), representing nearly 288,000 treatment admissions.
Along with craving, withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, sleeping problems, and anxiety can make it difficult for long-term marijuana smokers to quit. Past research has shown that approximately 9% of people who used marijuana may become dependent.
But what about Marijuana as medicine?
Marijuana is not an FDA approved medicine, although 13 states have currently legalized its medical use.
There are data supporting marijuana’s potential therapeutic value for symptoms including pain relief, control of nausea, and appetite stimulation (IOM, 1999). However, there are several reasons why marijuana is an unlikely medication candidate:
(1) it is an unpurified plant containing numerous chemicals with unknown health effects,
(2) it is typically consumed by smoking further contributing to potential adverse effects, and its non-patentable status makes it an unattractive investment for pharmaceutical companies.
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Everything in this article is true, I believe, except for the part where only 9% of the people who try it become dependent. That seems a bit low. Putting all other factors aside, I think the number one reason it will take off state by state is taxes, its another way for the state to bring in more money, and we all know how hard this has become recently. Altria’s bottom line is proof that not too many people are worried about the effects of smoking like the way they should anyway.
I just received your newsletter containing an article on how to meet new friends. I am concerned that one of the suggestions on where to meet new people was at a pub or bar. That seems to me to be a very inappropriate suggestion for those who might be in recovery, or even those who aren’t especially coming from an addiction website. Thank you. Lauri Sanderson, CDP
The use of marijuana is very rampant now in our place. Though the government is really trying its best to decrease the incidence of this cannabis sativa addiction. People should be aware of its bad effects to the body.
Thanks. Lauri
That one slipped by me, I agree with you. Going to a bar is one trigger to be avoided.
Bill
“a unrefined plant”… that is the worst excuse ive ever heard. you all take asprin so leave our “medication” alone,” its non-patentable status makes it an unattractive investment for pharmaceutical companies.” that just goes to show its all about the green monster and peoples well being coming last. people whos lives have been made better by the unrefined plant found little help from those pharmaceutical companies. cancer paitents shouldent have take a pill for their lack of hunger that has a nausea side effects.
my friends live in sumatra, indonesia. he told me some cities in sumatra use marijuana seeds and leaves in they foods . it makes foods much tasty. no side effect like dizzy or headec.
about marijuana in medical purpose. i agree with it, as long for medical purpose. not for drunk
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I find it astonishing that so many people “enjoy” marijuna. It is a proven testosterone decreaser for starters and likely has estrogenic effects as well. I agree – this is an addiction worth breaking!
Hi,
I don’t think that marijuana is addictive. Many people use it in food, and it has medical uses as well!
I think Testosterone is speaking from a place of deep inexperience with marijuana…
I mean if you’re inferring that marijuana makes men gay, I think that only says something about your intelligence more than anything
just my opinion, nothing more…
To be honest I don’t have a side to go with in this article because I’m curious about the effects of marijuana medically and afraid of beinga ddicted to it.
Please let us separate once and for all the difference between the marijuana plant that is used for commercial purposes and the marijuana plant that produces the chemical substance THC in high enough quantities to get you “High” “Stoned” “Baked”
The pot heads like to have us believe, by way of their pot smoking logic, that they are free from all negative side effects of pot smoking because there are commercial and medicinal uses for the plant and that alone is enough logic ( for a pot smoker ) to allow its use for public consumption to get stoned on.
As if the uses of the plant for other than getting stoned on is some sort of profound revelation and a perfect argument for the use of it to get stoned on…rather than commercial purposes
Maybe in the minds of POT HEADS it is a rational enough reason to consume the garbage and advocate the use of it and promote it as some sort of god send because it grows naturally.
Then they come at you with the argument it is not as harmful as other drugs so we, the pot smokers, deem it to be OK, by our pot head standards and pot head mentality.
The message they send is like saying: “Well if you only speed at 150 mph it is less dangerous than speeding at 200 mph.”
Then they come at you with the most absurd argument of all citing that alcohol and cigarettes are legal so why not marijuana, as if they are being cheated out of something that they need to consume. Their precious marijuana that they vigorously defend as if it is the most important thing in their lives.
Talk about adding fuel to the fire concerning the already wide spread problems with alcohol and cigarette addiction.
Where did this mentality come from and how did it evolve.
Like I have said before on many other forums and discussions; It is not difficult to loath the POT HEADS for defending the stupidity of their marijuana consumption along with the mentality and the attitude and the erroneous values they practice and the all too many small minded personalities that evolve amongst POT HEADS.
They do not like to be called that but I can not think of a better name to call them because they all seem to be proud of smoking it and they certainly seem to think they are all model citizens otherwise.
It surely is addictive. It is heavier drugs getaway. It has psychosis unlocking properties. It affects the intelligence, short term memory, by heavy use long term also. It makes people overall unhappy and irritable.
Feeling better depends of you and your actions, that’s the mouther nature’s way. I started heroin because of the weed and hat to realize the main source of all my problems is the marijuana until any success to be achieved.
I am of the mindset that marijuana is addictive – but maybe to a lesser degree than many drugs. Just because something is addictive does’t make it bad – coffee is addictive. However, I in no way support this drug, while it is relatively harmless on its own, it can be a gateway to harder drugs.
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