- Is Marijuana Addictive? How Addictive Is Marijuana?
- What are the Signs of Addiction?
- Am I Addicted to Marijuana?
- How to Encourage Someone to Get Treatment
- Staging an Intervention
- Support Groups for Family and Friends
- Marijuana Addiction Treatment
- Finding the Best Marijuana Treatment
Marijuana Abuse, Addiction and Rehab
Marijuana is one of the most abused illegal substances in the world. It is also the most used 'second drug' for those addicted to other substances. Approximately one in ten users meets the medical criteria for Cannabis Use Disorder (marijuana addiction).

Is Marijuana Addictive? How Addictive Is Marijuana?
There are physiological, psychological, cognitive and social effects of marijuana addiction. Since they occur insidiously or slowly over a prolonged period, users tend to be unaware of accumulating problems.
Marijuana addiction is linked to impairments in:
- Intellectual functioning.
- Motivation.
- Mental health.
Poor life outcomes such as low occupational and educational status, low income, and overall poor life satisfaction are also reported.
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What are the Signs of Addiction?
Symptoms of marijuana addiction are the same as in other drug addictions. Marijuana dependence is characterized by:
- Craving.
- Tolerance.
- Withdrawal.
- Negative life outcomes.
Cravings to use are triggered by brain reactions, reminders of pleasant effects, and psychological cues such as stress and unpleasant feelings.
The result is continued use leading to tolerance or the need for a larger amount to achieve desired effects. Subsequently, there is an increase in negative consequences such as:
- Reduced interest and poor performance in pursuits.
- Loss of motivation.
- Failure to meet obligations and responsibilities.
- Relationship problems.
- Isolation.
- Continued use despite negative consequences.
If use is cut down or stopped, withdrawal occurs. Signs of marijuana use are difficult to spot, especially because of the prevalent notion that marijuana is not harmful - one can easily ignore clear symptoms in themselves and loved ones.
Am I Addicted to Marijuana?
Negative effects accumulate slowly and are difficult for users to notice. Your loved ones are more likely to see marijuana's effects.
Marijuana is a particularly 'tricky' drug. Negative effects accumulate slowly and are difficult for users to notice. Your loved ones are more likely to see marijuana's effects.
If you have questions about your use:
- Seek out a professional.
- Ask loved ones.
- Research the issue in books, articles and online.
How to Encourage Someone to Get Treatment

Be compassionate and frank, while aiming for fact-based communication. Demonstrating affection, concern and a willingness to help without blaming, or attempting to shame or scare your loved one, establishes rapport and facilitates ongoing communication.
Waiting for your loved one 'to hit rock bottom' can be dangerous and traumatic.
You should address specific concerns as they arise, but not during intoxication.
Become educated about marijuana addiction and recovery resources. Ask compassionate questions, offer fact-based help and set reasonable expectations.
Sometimes, one may evaluate treatment several times before actually enrolling in a program. Be prepared for a series of discussions.
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Staging an Intervention
An intervention is not necessarily a formal group confrontation. Individual discussions also have the potential to intervene. Prepare by enhancing self-care and focus upon your own life. This increases awareness of the addiction's negative impact upon you and allows you to cite specific, fact-based information to the addict. It also clarifies the limits and boundaries you need in order to be healthy and to stop enabling.

Be prepared to do so, but expect resistance, denial and anger. Remain calm, caring and firm about the need for treatment.
Support Groups for Family and Friends
Chronic stress, fear, and worry are traumatic for the loved ones of an addict. Fortunately, there are many support resources for family and friends of marijuana addicts. These are available in:
- Rehab settings.
- Outpatient clinics.
- Community organizations.
- Self-help groups.
Typically, support groups that address the impact of another's addiction will explore ways to:
- Develop healthy coping skills and strategies.
- Give opportunities to process emotions.
- Identify methods of self-care.
- Address issues of loss, grief and stress management.
Support groups also can identify other resources that loved ones may need. In treatment-related groups, for example, a loved one's need for counseling or symptom management can be identified by the group facilitator.
Some specific groups widely available and free of charge are 12-Step programs for loved ones such as:
- Codependents Anonymous.
- Families Anonymous.
- Al-Anon.
Non-12 Step groups, such as SMART Recovery, are also available for friends and family.
Marijuana Addiction Treatment
Marijuana addiction treatment includes outpatient programs, inpatient stays and residential stays.
Screening and assessment are the first steps in treatment. Your needs are determined by addiction professionals who make recommendations for your care.
An individualized treatment plan is created to address your use, related emotional issues and stressors, relapse prevention planning and needs for living a marijuana-free life. Typically, individual, group and family counseling sessions are recommended. Additionally, if there is a co-occurring mental health problem, many programs offer dual diagnosis services and can help you with mental health conditions in conjunction with your marijuana addiction.
Call us today at 1-888-993-3112Who Answers? to speak confidentially to with a treatment support specialist to evaluate the marijuana addiction treatment options available for you.
Finding the Best Marijuana Treatment

Consultation, particularly with an addiction professional, will help determine the best treatment setting for you. Information is widely available online and through addiction referral services to help you find the setting you agree on.
Crisis and information hotlines are also good sources to contact as you research options. Contact programs by phone to discuss entering treatment with them.
Inquire specifically about:
- Marijuana addiction treatment.
- What services you will receive.
- Program expectations.
- How to obtain an assessment and methods of financing your treatment.
You can expect to be briefly interviewed when you call so that your individual situation and needs are clearly understood.