Marijuana is considered to be the "gateway" drug, or the drug that is initially experimented with that can lead to other more harmful substance abuse. Marijuana is a naturally occurring substance that can include all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa. It is usually used by smoking or converting into a more potent form known as hash. It can also be eaten in the form of baked goods or tea. Marijuana is the most commonly used and abused illicit drug in the world and its mind-altering chemical is called THC. Marijuana is both a mild hallucinogen and a depressant and leaves most people that use it feeling calm and carefree.
Side effects of marijuana
The high from marijuana is felt within a few seconds to a few minutes of smoking it and up to half an hour if it is ingested. Marijuana is known to affect a person's short-term memory and can affect hormone balances in the body. Studies have shown that young people using marijuana during their teenage years are more likely to experiment with more dangerous drugs such as cocaine and are at higher risk for teenage pregnancy and STDs as a result of marijuana's effect on a person's judgment while high. Marijuana impairs a person's ability to make thoughtful, rational decisions, decreases motivation and can cause paranoia.
Treatment for marijuana addiction
It used to be said that marijuana is not a physically or mentally addicting substance because a person's mind and body does not have actual cravings for the substance. However, there is a large market for treatment for marijuana addiction or abuse which simply means that the continual use of marijuana is infringing on a person's ability to function in daily life and/or that a person has an intense urge or craving for marijuana and cannot stop using on his or her own. Long-term marijuana use can affect a person's memory and can cause serious consequences in a person's life. While a traditional detox is not usually necessary with marijuana addiction, it is helpful to be in a residential or inpatient treatment program to help decrease the desire or temptation to constantly use marijuana. The biggest issue that is resolved during marijuana treatment is the obsession to smoke. If you or someone you love needs help with an addiction or problem with marijuana please contact us today and find out how we can help.
