Physical vs. Psychological Dependence on Cannabis?
People have various addictions ranging from minor to major. Common objects of addiction include gambling machines, compulsive stealing, sex addiction, partner dependency, and psychoactive substances (drugs). What about cannabis? Is it possible to develop an addiction to it? Or is this merely a prejudice and the reality is different?
Scientists themselves are studying this question. Many books about marijuana addiction have emerged based on this research. Let's first define the concept of addiction. It is an individual's state of having a constant, compulsive, and involuntary need to repeat certain behavior or requiring a specific substance for their life.
We distinguish two types of addiction: physical and psychological. Physical addiction is characterized by withdrawal symptoms where the human body, which has become accustomed to something and is not receiving it, begins to protest. It forces users to continually increase previously sufficient substances to achieve the same effect. Addiction typically has a very negative impact on a person's life, health, and psyche. Even when an individual recognizes the undesirable effects and would like to stop, they can no longer do so.
What might be slightly positive information is that marijuana causes a mild physical addiction, which manifests as sleep disorders or diarrhea. However, we do not intend to downplay this issue. It is proven that marijuana is addictive. In fact, more adolescents are treated for marijuana addiction than for hard drugs.
Although occasional users do not admit that usage might have a negative impact on their life, this is not the case. People most often associate addiction with hard drugs like cocaine, heroin, and others.
Addiction can be recognized through several simple questions compiled by the Marijuana Anonymous (MA) organization.
- • Is marijuana smoking no longer just fun for you?
- • Is it very difficult to get into a mood without consuming marijuana?
- • Is life without marijuana unimaginable for you?
- • Do your friends notice that your marijuana use bothers them?
- • Do you feel nervous when your supplies are running low?
- • Do you notice that your memory and concentration have deteriorated, or that your motivation has disappeared?
- • Do you feel that marijuana allows you to live in a world without problems?