Are you thinking about becoming a regular marijuana user? Then you should know that marijuana has some serious consequences. It alters the way the brain functions. Regular marijuana users' reward centers begin to deactivate. As a result, marijuana becomes the most important thing, even more important than survival or other rewarding activities. This process results in the user becoming less interested in other activities, increasingly focused on marijuana, and finding it hard to imagine life without marijuana.
Symptoms
While the physical dependence on marijuana can be quite severe, you can still learn to live without it. Marijuana addiction treatment centers on therapy, which helps people learn to recognize their triggers and identify healthier ways of coping. Individual and family therapy can be effective in helping people overcome their marijuana addiction, and 12-step programs can be especially useful in treating chronic cannabis users. If you are struggling with this problem, don't hesitate to seek treatment for your loved one.
If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself, it's likely that you may have an addiction to marijuana. Marijuana use can cause a number of serious problems, including a decreased ability to function at work or in school. Another sign of marijuana addiction is a need to use more of the drug. Marijuana addiction can lead to a compulsion to consume larger amounts of the drug, and it may also result in prioritizing Marijuana use over other important responsibilities. If you're concerned that you might have a marijuana addiction, you can ask your physician to evaluate your situation and suggest a treatment plan.
Harms
Medical research has shown that marijuana use during pregnancy can lead to fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and problems with the brain development of the child. The chemical in marijuana is also passed through breast milk, so these substances can have an impact on the child's development. There are also other harms associated with marijuana use, such as increased risk of developing relationship problems, lower education and career achievement, and less life satisfaction. One in six adolescents and one in ten adults who start using marijuana before the age of 18 are likely to become addicted to marijuana.
Cannabis abuse is different than alcohol, and it can be difficult to recognize its signs. It is commonly viewed as a gateway drug, but many users don't progress to harder drugs. Some marijuana users also abuse alcohol and painkillers at the same time. There is no single way to detect marijuana addiction. However, there are a few things to look for to identify whether a person is suffering from marijuana addiction. It's important to remember that marijuana withdrawal symptoms can mimic warning signs of other medical problems, and it is important to seek the advice of an expert.
Treatment options
Medical professionals have a variety of treatment options for marijuana addiction. In general, marijuana abusers use the drug to self-medicate symptoms of a mental disorder, such as personality disorder. As a result, a large proportion of marijuana users have an underlying mental health disorder that can be treated. Behavioral therapies and medications used to treat the co-occurring mental disorder are a common part of dual diagnosis treatment.
Medically-accredited rehabs are usually affordable, though costs may be out of reach for some patients. Private health insurance plans may cover some of the costs, though not all. If the costs are prohibitive, many treatment facilities offer payment plans or discounts. State and federal governments also offer financial assistance for those with limited financial resources. A therapist can help determine which treatment options are right for you. For example, there are programs available in some states that do not require referrals.
Genetics
Although there is currently no definitive link between genetics and marijuana addiction, many studies have linked cannabis use disorder to certain genes. Cannabis use disorder has been linked to several neuropsychiatric disorders. Some of these genetic associations are independent and others are partially divergent. Studies have also shown associations between cannabis use disorder and depression and bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia. Other studies have found a moderate genetic association between cannabis use disorder and ADHD.
While some researchers think that cannabis use is linked to marijuana use, others believe that it is closely related to nicotine dependence and chronotype. However, the association between marijuana addiction and nicotine dependence was not clear. In the study, researchers compared the genetics of identical twins and non-identical twins. These studies revealed that cannabis dependence is associated with higher education levels and was related to two genes: cis and alpha-amylase.
Effects on brain development
New research indicates that marijuana use during adolescence can alter the brain structure. Regular users of marijuana have abnormalities in the white matter of their brains. This part of the brain facilitates communication among neurons and is more prone to changes when the user is younger. This change is correlated with increased impulsivity, which is associated with marijuana use. In addition to this, if a person starts smoking before the age of 16, their brains are more plastic.
There are also differences between users and nonusers in some brain regions, such as the nucleus accumbens. This brain region is associated with motivation, pleasure, and reward processing. These regions are also involved in the amygdala, which processes emotion and memory. Several studies have also demonstrated that the brain areas involved in decision-making are altered in marijuana users. While these differences may not be completely explained by the research findings, the findings point toward an association between cannabis use and cognitive function.
