Marijuana use continues to become more and more normalized. Numerous states have already de-criminalized marijuana for recreational use and even more geographies have made it available for medical purposes. Yet just because a drug is legal does not make its use completely risk-free. Many people downplay the addictive qualities of marijuana. But doing so ignores reality. Marijuana is an addictive substance. Learning to recognize the signs of marijuana addiction can help you intervene for a loved one before their addiction causes untold damage.
Find marijuana addiction treatment options when you call 866.957.7885.
Signs of Marijuana Addiction to Look For
It’s true that smoking marijuana doesn’t always result in addiction. Statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimate that about 30% of people who regularly use marijuana will develop an addiction. Underlying factors play a major role in whether or not someone who uses marijuana will end up with an addiction.
The three biggest determinants are genetic predisposition, family history of substance abuse or addiction, and the presence of one or more mental health disorders. Beyond those root causes, here are four of the biggest signs of marijuana addiction to watch out for:
Withdrawal Symptoms Between Use
You may not always know when your loved one is using marijuana. Even regular users are often adept at hiding the behavior if they don’t want people close to them to know. However, people who abuse marijuana often display withdrawal symptoms between instances of use. Look for things like:
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Appetite loss
- Depression
- Sweating
- Chills similar to when someone has the flu
Also, try to see if you can identify a pattern to these symptoms. Do they appear during the week, maybe indicating your loved one is using heavily on the weekends? Or is a string of good days typically followed by one or two days filled by these symptoms?
Physical Signs
Outside of anything related to withdrawal, people who use weed regularly do usually show some physical signs. These include red eyes, a general slowness about them, and potentially impaired coordination. If their body or their living quarters begin to consistently smell like weed, that is also a clear sign of marijuana abuse.
Shifting Social Life
The dominance of an addiction in a person’s life will reshape their social circle in profound ways. For starters, many people with an addiction withdraw and become more isolated. A related sign of marijuana addiction is when someone stops doing activities they once enjoyed or ignores notable responsibilities. Friend circles may also change. Your loved one may begin spending time only with people who embrace their weed usage or who enable them to get high.
Continuing to Use Even After Consequences
One of the clearest signs of weed addiction is when someone continues to abuse marijuana even after suffering concrete consequences for their behavior. Maybe they lost a job or a long-term relationship broke down. Instead of giving up weed and trying to reshape their life, they double down on their addiction.
Addressing the Signs of Marijuana Abuse
Successfully identifying the signs of marijuana abuse in your loved one is just the beginning of helping them recover. Your support during the rest of their journey will be critical. Typically, the best thing you can do for your loved one after noticing the signs of weed addiction is to connect them with a high-quality addiction treatment provider.
San Antonio Recovery Center has been a years-long leader in the addiction treatment field. We understand how complex addiction is and how it can affect people’s lives. The good news is that recovery is possible and lives can be repaired. Connect with us at 866.957.7885 today to learn about how you can address the signs of marijuana addiction in your loved one.
