As more people use cannabis due to changes in state laws making the substance more available to people for medical and recreational use, the risk for marijuana misuse and abuse increases, leading to cannabis addiction.
Addiction to cannabis, which is also known as marijuana use disorder, can have life-altering consequences if left untreated.
Suppose you or a loved one is experiencing marijuana addiction. In that case, treatment options are available today to help discover the root of addiction and ways to live a healthy, fulfilling life free of substance use. Call our Tree House Recovery NC team today to learn how we can help.
What Is Marijuana/Cannabis?
Cannabis, which is also called marijuana, refers to the cannabis plant’s dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds. The chemical compounds, which include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have effects that can change mood, thoughts, and perceptions of reality.
While some healthcare professionals can recommend medical marijuana to treat specific conditions or ease side effects, most people are using the substance for recreational use.
Nearly 40% of cannabis users reported in 2022 that they use the drug daily or near daily, which is a pattern that is often seen with tobacco and alcohol use.1
People commonly use cannabis by smoking the dried parts of the plant, but there are many products made from the cannabis plant, including:
- Oils and concentrates
- Edibles
- Tinctures
- Lotions and balms
Between 1995 and 2022, THC potency in illegal cannabis increased significantly from 3.96% to 16.14%2, with some flowers and concentrates in dispensaries having a THC concentration of more than 40%.2 The higher level of potency has been associated with cannabis use progressing into cannabis use disorder.3
With the increased popularity of more potent substances like K2/Spice (synthetic cannabinoids), there have been concerns raised about the short and long-term health of users and the risk of an addiction to cannabis.
Is Cannabis Addictive?
Yes, weed can be addictive. While not everyone will experience addiction to the substance, it is possible to develop an addiction to cannabis or a marijuana use disorder.
Some who use marijuana regularly may be at risk for developing a weed addiction, which can range from mild to moderate to severe. Compulsive use of marijuana, despite its negative effects on an individual’s life, is often a sign of severe cannabis addiction.
Cannabis Use Disorder
Cannabis use disorder is defined by The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM–5, as the compulsive use of marijuana.
Some signs of cannabis use disorder include4:
- Struggling to cut back or manage marijuana use.
- Devoting excessive time to obtaining, using, and recovering from marijuana.
- Failing to meet work, school, or home responsibilities due to marijuana consumption.
- Prioritizing marijuana use over social, professional, or recreational activities.
- Persisting in marijuana use despite its adverse physical or mental health effects.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when marijuana use is reduced or stopped.
With approximately 14.2 million people ages 12 or older meeting the diagnostic criteria for cannabis use disorder in 2020, the risk of a person who uses the substance developing a weed addiction is 1 in 10.5, 6
People who are younger than 18 who use marijuana are at a higher risk and account for the most common users of the substance.3, 7
Why Is Cannabis Addictive?
The main psychoactive ingredient, THC, is the primary contributor to cannabis use disorder. This is because THC stimulates neurons in the brain’s reward system and increases the levels of dopamine, creating a positive association between the substance and its effects on the brain.
As potency levels increase, the impact of THC on the brain is more potent and leads to a higher risk of developing a marijuana use disorder.
Signs and Symptoms of Cannabis Addiction
Cannabis addiction signs can include changes to the user’s overall behavior. They may find it hard to remember things that just happened or challenging to balance themselves.
Finding marijuana-related paraphernalia (pipes, rolling papers, and vape pens) can also be an indicator that someone is using marijuana.
Developing a cannabis use disorder may happen if a person continues to use cannabis for a prolonged period.
Signs of Marijuana Use Disorder
Signs that someone may have a cannabis use disorder include5:
- Consuming more cannabis than originally planned.
- Attempting to quit but struggling to stop cannabis use.
- Spending significant time using cannabis.
- Experiencing strong urges or cravings for cannabis.
- Using cannabis despite its negative impact on work, school, or home life.
- Continuing use even when it strains social or personal relationships.
- Prioritizing cannabis over meaningful activities with family and friends.
- Using cannabis in dangerous situations, such as while driving.
- Persisting in use despite physical or mental health issues.
- Developing a tolerance requires more significant amounts to achieve the same effects.
Common Marijuana Symptoms
Several signs and symptoms of marijuana use can develop after heavy and prolonged (daily or almost daily) use.
Signs or symptoms can create clinically significant distress when the effects of the substance fade or impairment in social or occupational functions.
Side Effects of Weed Addiction
Weed use can have negative and long-term effects, including7:
- Brain health: Marijuana can cause permanent damage to the brain when people start using the substance at a younger age.
- Mental health: An increase in depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and psychotic episodes have been linked to marijuana use.
- Daily life: The use of weed can negatively impact relationships, education, career performance, and overall satisfaction with life.
- Gastrointestinal problems: This includes cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), acid reflux, pancreatitis, and peptic ulcer disease.9
- Cancer risk: Research has linked the use of cannabis products to increase the likelihood of head, neck, and throat cancer.10
Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms
Someone can experience cannabis withdrawal symptoms after stopping or significantly decreasing weed use. A study found that 12.1% of people who use the drug experience weed withdrawal.
Common Withdrawal Symptoms When Quitting Marijuana
Withdrawal symptoms when quitting marijuana can include:
- Anger
- Aggression
- Anxiety
- Decrease in appetite or weight
- Depression
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Strange or unsettling dreams
Can You Overdose on Cannabis?
Although unlikely, there is a risk for dose-dependent toxicity.
When someone consumes too much THC, they are at risk of experiencing unpleasant effects and can encounter dangerous and deadly accidents.
Marijuana Addiction Treatment
If you or a loved one is experiencing cannabis addiction, there are treatment options available. Depending on the amount used and length of use, your level of care can range from intensive care to less intensive.
Treatment for marijuana addiction should include a range of counseling, like cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management (CM), family therapy, and assessment for comorbid disorders.
Intensive outpatient programs are ideal for those experiencing a cannabis addiction.2
Cannabis Addiction Treatment
Cannabis addiction should be taken seriously as it can negatively impact a person’s mental and physical health. Various treatment options exist for those experiencing marijuana addiction.
Effective treatment will address a person’s whole body, not just help them flush the substance from their body. Treatments for marijuana use disorder include:
Tree House Recovery currently supports an intensive outpatient program for cannabis addiction that allows clients to continue the daily schedule while rewiring their brains and perspectives on their relationship with substances, their community, and themselves.
Speak with one of our admission team members to find out if cannabis addiction treatment in North Carolina is the right level of care for you.
Will Insurance Cover Cannabis Addiction Treatment?
If you have health insurance, cannabis addiction treatment will likely be covered. However, your type of plan can influence how much of your treatment will be covered.
Call your health insurance provider to find out if your plan covers cannabis addiction treatment, or speak with a Tree House Recovery team member to confirm your benefits.
Cannabis addiction treatment is still possible if you don’t have insurance. There are other payment options available.
Again, speak with one of our team members to find different options available to those looking for addiction treatment without insurance.
Weed Addiction Rehab in North Carolina
Finding cannabis addiction treatment that works for you and with you to achieve the life you want to live is possible. If you or someone you care about is struggling with cannabis use disorder, call us today at (910) 812-1728.
Tree House Recovery’s rehab center in North Carolina offers treatment for substance addiction and is ready to help you get the treatment you deserve. Start your recovery journey today by calling Tree House Recovery.
Sources
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Johnson, C. K. (2024, May 22). Daily marijuana use is now more common than daily alcohol use in the U.S., new study finds. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/daily-marijuana-use-is-now-more-common-than-daily-alcohol-use-in-the-u-s-new-study-finds.
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NIDA. 2024, September 24. Cannabis (Marijuana). Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/cannabis-marijuana on 2025, February 21.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, & U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018, July). NIH Publication No. 18-DA-4036. Marijuana: Facts parents need to know.
- Arterberry BJ, Treloar Padovano H, Foster KT, Zucker RA, Hicks BM. Higher average potency across the United States is associated with progression to first cannabis use disorder symptom. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2019 Feb 1;195:186-192. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.11.012. Epub 2018 Dec 17. PMID: 30573162; PMCID: PMC6376862.
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, Fifth edition (DSM-5). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021, October). Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022, September 07). Learn about marijuana risks.
- Chen K, Kandel DB. Predictors of cessation of marijuana use: an event history analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend. 1998 Apr 01;50(2):109-21.
- Perisetti A, Gajendran M, Dasari CS, et al. Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome: an update on the pathophysiology and management. Ann Gastroenterol. 2020;33(6):571-578. doi:10.20524/aog.2020.0528.
- Adenusi AO, Magacha HM, Nwaneki CM, Asifat OA, Annor EN. Cannabis Use and Associated Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Literature Review. Cureus. 2023;15(7):e41825. Published 2023 Jul 13. doi:10.7759/cureus.41825.