Weed Use And Addiction
What Is Weed Or Cannabis Addiction?
Cannabis use and addiction isn’t something that is often talked about. The view of many cultures around the world is that marijuana isn’t a serious drug, or that it should be legalised for recreational use (as it is in some parts of the world). Medical cannabis is even offered in plenty of healthcare systems. Yet alcohol can become an addiction and a very real problem for millions of people, and that’s legal, so why isn’t marijuana addiction treated with the same seriousness?
It’s possible to become addicted to cannabis. Some will tell you that it isn’t, but that simply isn’t true. Smoking marijuana in large quantities or frequently, without being able to stop despite negative consequences you might face in your life is an addiction. Cannabis dependence and addiction is better understood today, and marijuana abuse is becoming increasingly common.
Below we’ll look at different issues surrounding marijuana, cannabis, and weed (all different names for the same drug), so you can understand if you or a loved one might be facing cannabis addiction or a cannabis use disorder.
What Is Cannabis?
Cannabis has multiple street names such as marijuana and weed, but what connects them all is that they are derived from the cannabis plant. It can be consumed in multiple ways. Smoking cannabis is the most common way as dried plant matter, oil, or resin, but it can also be ingested or used in vapes or as patches for a slower release.
The psychoactive effects of cannabis are caused by THC which is present in the cannabis plant. This psychoactive component affects both the brain and central nervous system which can produce different effects in different people at different times depending on the exact type of cannabis plant, the person’s individual make-up, and frequency and quantity of use.
For some a euphoric, relaxing effect can be felt, making them feel calm, but for others a more negative experience might occur, causing panic attacks, anxiety, and impaired decision making abilities.
Cannabis Addiction
Cannabis addiction is characterised by an inability to stop taking the drug despite it causing problems in their personal, social, and professional lives. Cannabis affects multiple areas of a person’s life when casual marijuana smoking becomes a drug addiction.
Signs of cannabis abuse and addiction include:
- needing more cannabis to feel the same effects as before
- facing cannabis withdrawal symptoms
- feeling more irritable when you don’t smoke marijuana
- mood changes
- sleep difficulties
- intense cravings when not engaging in marijuana use
Negative consequences are possible when a substance addiction to marijuana begins. If you can’t stop using cannabis then you might benefit from professional treatment at our treatment centre in Spain. With an ideal location for tackling the physical or psychological problems that drive your marijuana use, you can really get to the bottom of your addiction and turn your life around for good.
Treatment usually involves counselling and talking therapy, both individually and as part of a group to provide you with a strong support system and a sense of accountability, as well as a medical detox that allows us to manage your withdrawal symptoms effectively. Check out our packages or get in touch today to find out how we can help at InnerLife Recovery.
Legality
Cannabis has a long history of use in bygone years, with historical evidence supporting the idea that cannabis has been a key part of human culture for 100s of years. Despite this, the drug is now illegal in many places around the world.
With that said, Canada and some states in the US have recently started legalising and decriminalising the drug after consultation with administrations such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It’s also worth noting that legal medicinal cannabis is becoming more common for different difficulties such as anxiety, sleep difficulty, and stress, as well as to treat pain in some instances.
In the UK, cannabis remains a controlled substance, but debates still continue around whether legalisation is an appropriate route for the country to take.
Whilst medical marijuana undoubtedly has many benefits, there are dangers to the drug when outside of a healthcare setting, and the risk of addiction is one that we’re very familiar with at InnerLife Recovery.
Manifestations And Being “Cross Faded”
Being “cross faded” is a common term used to describe the combined use of alcohol and cannabis. This can become a very real addiction that takes some unpicking in order to understand why you feel compelled to use both substances in a way that is harmful to you. Many people who stay with us are “cross faded” when they arrive at our treatment facility so we have significant experience in treating both of these addictions at the same time.
How cannabis addiction actually manifests is different for everybody. For some it can simply be a reliance on the high they feel when using the drug to get them through everyday life. When mixing cannabis with other drugs or alcohol additional problems may be present. Typically mental health problems are key to the development of addictions of this sort, and tackling the root cause is often the only way to prevent relapse. Why? Because cannabis and alcohol is often used as a form of self medication, so the only way to prevent this from recurring is by treating any mental health issues or traumatic emotions in a healthier way.
At InnerLife Recovery in Spain, we offer support and guidance for individuals dealing with a range of addictions including cannabis, alcohol, and both addictions. We provide a sanctuary for healing, a place to truly transform your inner life in a way that is rewarding. Our team is with you every step of the way, supporting your recovery in a kind and patient manner to give you the best chance of success.
The Effects Of Cross Faded Cannabis And Alcohol Consumption
The mixed state of being drunk and high from cross faded use of cannabis and alcohol can have profound effects on a person. The effects of both substances are often intensified, meaning an individual might feel intensely euphoric at first.
However, this can quickly turn to a less pleasant experience with nausea, sweating, disorientation and heightened anxiety quickly following. This can impair both cognitive and motor functions and can be dangerous, with both immediate and long term physical and cognitive effects that can be damaging over time.
Is Cross Faded Use Worse Than Cannabis Use Alone?
Considering that combined use of cannabis and alcohol intensifies the effects of both substances compared to if they were taken alone, yes, being cross faded is worse than taking one substance without the other. Why? Because you are far more likely to engage in risky behaviours and the negative effects of cannabis and alcohol are worsened when taken together.
Mixing these substances is common with young adults and teenagers, often due to them not understanding the negative consequences of doing so, but some actively seek the intense high initially felt before the negative effects take hold. If you find yourself constantly seeking that high despite the negative consequences, then this is a sign that you have become dependent on both substances, and you could have an addiction. Seek our support if you want to end your addiction today.
If you’re supporting somebody as they’re cross faded, the best thing you can do to help them in the moment is encourage them to drink water, eat if possible, and sleep off the negative effects. Stay with them in a safe place to support them until the effects wear off.
Cross fading highlights how important understanding substances and their interactions are. More attention ought to be given to teaching individuals about how alcohol and cannabis use can harm a person. Part of our rehabilitation process will involve this, because so many people who come to us battling cannabis addiction and alcohol addiction simultaneously don’t know the real effects that both substances can have on their body.
How Cannabis Affects The Brain
What Are Cannabinoid Receptors?
A cannabinoid receptor is a receptor in the brain that interacts with cannabinoids. They’re naturally present in the brain and body as part of a system designed to regulate mood, memory, appetite and pain sensation.
CB1 cannabinoid receptors are located in the brain and central nervous system, whilst CB2 receptors are found in peripheral tissues and immune cells. When you use cannabis, cannabinoids like THC directly affect these receptors.
How Does Cannabis Act On Cannabinoid Receptors?Â
It’s the THC cannabinoid present in cannabis that interacts with the receptors in the body and brain, affecting mood, memory, and appetite primarily. THC reacts with these receptors, boosting dopamine and altering brain chemistry and cell activity, but the strain of cannabis plant will result in different effects.
- Cannabis indica: Has a higher THC content, producing a much higher high and is often used illegally and recreationally.
- Cannabis ruderalis: Has a much lower THC content and is mostly used for medical purposes.
- Cannabis sativa: A mix of CBD and THC, provides a milder high and is used both recreationally and has garnered some interest from a medical perspective for individuals managing pain.
What Is Cannabis-Induced Psychosis?
Cannabis-induced psychosis is a condition where cannabis use can trigger hallucinations and delusions. As the drug interacts with the brain and releases dopamine in large quantities quickly, the individual using the drug can start to see, hear, and believe things that aren’t there or aren’t true. This is more common with stronger cannabis plants with higher THC content.
It’s different from regular psychosis, as it is directly caused by the cannabis use, and symptoms can lessen and even disappear entirely by simply waiting for the drug to leave the person’s system. Repeated use, if you’re prone to cannabis-induced psychosis, can lead to longer term problems.
How Long Does Cannabis-Induced Psychosis Last?
Cannabis-induced psychosis symptoms can start the moment cannabis enters the body in more severe cases and depending on how the drug was used. When marijuana is smoked, the effects can be more instantaneous, but ingesting the drug can lead to symptoms only manifesting hours later.
Symptoms usually only last for a few hours, until the drug properly leaves the system, but this varies from person to person. This form of psychosis could also be indicative of other mental health problems, so if you’re struggling with cannabis addiction and cannabis-induced psychosis we can support you in tackling the cause of your problems and supporting you on your road to recovery.
What Is A Marijuana-Induced Panic Attack?
THC is psychoactive and interacts with the brain’s endocannabinoid system, affecting areas such as the amygdala which is a key part of the brain involved in the fight or flight response – essentially it’s what’s responsible for fear responses in the brain. As you can probably guess, when cannabis with high amounts of THC are present, the individual’s fear response can be triggered, and depending on consumption method, you could notice panic attack symptoms in as little as a few minutes.
Symptoms of marijuana-induced panic attacks and anxiety include:
- sweating
- shaking
- rapid heartbeat
- intense feelings of dread
- intense fear response
How To Stop A Marijuana Induced Panic Attack
One of the best techniques you can use if you’re experiencing a panic attack brought on by marijuana use is simply to recognise and accept that this is caused by the cannabis you have taken and it will pass. Then try deep breathing exercises to bring calm to your mind, taking a cold shower if possible, or engaging in light exercise whilst listening to a calming playlist or podcast. This can all shift your focus away from the panic you’re feeling.
Try to ground yourself in the present without worrying about the future. Remind yourself to take each moment as it comes and that it will pass when the effects of cannabis wears off.
Understanding Addiction:
What Is Addiction?
Addiction is about far more than just the act of using substances. It’s deeply rooted in a person’s emotional state. The addictive behaviour is often used as a crutch to mask their emotional distress and escape their feelings. All this serves to do is ignore the emotions that are driving the behaviour, causing a cycle of continued abuse of a substance.
Often it’s the case that addiction begins long before the substance abuse starts, when the emotional struggles first begin, which sets an individual on a path towards substance use and abuse.
External Validation
Often addiction is tied up in a person’s need for external validation – i.e. they’re looking for approval from an outside source, either through social approval, achievement or otherwise.
Substance abuse with a particular circle of friends can make an individual feel accepted and as though they are part of something, but their need for external validation never truly goes away, and they continue to abuse substances in order to feel included.
The Cyclical Nature Of Addiction
As you become more dependent on the drug to mask emotions, a cycle of brief relief followed by distress begins, where the brief relief only comes from the use of cannabis. In order to stop the weed use, you need to address the emotional and psychological issues that fuel it.
That’s where we come in at InnerLife Recovery. We offer a holistic approach that focuses on your emotional and psychological wellbeing. By taking part in our holistic activities and therapies, alongside more traditional talking therapies, you can truly transform your inner life for the better and put yourself in the best possible position to turn your life around today.
Craving Versus Obsession
Is Craving Synonymous With Obsession?
There are very clear distinctions between cravings and obsessions within addiction.
Cravings are an intense urge that surfaces as a result of the substance’s effects on your body. As your body gets used to cannabis, you could develop an immediate desire for more. Cravings tend to come and go quickly.
Obsessions, on the other hand, are a long-term desire for the drug, that isn’t brought on by recent drug use but instead better reflects a pattern of continued desire and behavioural changes to accommodate the drug. Obsessions are constant and thoughts about taking the drug often becomes a continuous fixation that eventually leads to drug use because it’s so hard to ignore.
We’ll teach you the difference between cravings and obsessions when you work with us, and help you understand how to effectively manage both. Techniques for controlling cravings usually involve distracting yourself with activities to deal with the immediate physical and psychological desire for the drug until the desire passes. Tackling obsessions requires a longer term strategy that looks at the deep-rooted thought patterns and emotional issues that drive your desire for cannabis.