Weed addiction is a newly developing phenomenon, though it is not nearly as prevalent as opiate or alcohol addiction. It is estimated that less than 10% of users will become addicted to weed, which is a far lower addiction rate than cigarettes, cocaine, and heroin.
However, while the addiction possibilities of weed are low, the increasing rate of accepted weed use will raise the number of those who are addicted as well. Weed was first popularly used back during the Vietnam War, when American GIs picked up the habit. At the time, weed use was seen as a fringe activity that rebels embraced during a period of rapid societal change.
In the modern day, however, weed use is far more mainstream. In a 2013 study, roughly 40% of Americans polled had tried weed at least once, and the actual number is likely slightly higher. Additionally, 50% of Americans favor the legalization of weed, indicating considerably more permissive attitudes toward weed as compared to any other drug.
Many countries and a couple of U.S. states have already legalized weed use, thus making it far more easy to get than other drugs, and also more socially acceptable to indulge in. Even in places where weed use is illegal, it is one of the easier and cheaper drugs to obtain. If you suspect you or a loved one is suffering from weed addiction, you may notice the following withdrawal signs:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nausea
- Sleep disturbance
- Problems with the GI tract
Most individuals who end up with a weed addiction are psychologically addicted to the drug rather than physically. It is likely with weed smoking becoming more popular, we will see more and more people turn to it as an improper substitute for positive coping mechanisms.
Therapy for weed addiction is still in its infancy, as it’s not an addiction as commonly seen nor does it as acutely affect as others. Most of the time, a basic therapy will do, and medical detox from weed has never been recorded, as the withdrawal symptoms are relatively mild.
Still, an addiction of any sort means treatment and therapy are needed. As this is a growing field, many methods used to combat weed addiction are still being developed, and more clinical studies are needed to determine the best way to treat it.
However, Drug Treatment Center Finder is dedicated to staying on the cutting edge of addiction treatment, and we have a range of weed addiction therapies available in our database.
