Is Marijuana Chemically Addictive?
Monday, November 15th, 2010
If you ask around, you will undoubtedly find people on both side of the fence when it comes to the question of whether or not marijuana is chemically addictive. There are those who are convinced that marijuana does cause a chemical dependency. Others believe that users only become psychologically addicted to marijuana. Yet, current evidence supports the fact that marijuana is not chemically addictive. However, this doesn’t mean that users will not become addicted in other ways and need to seek treatment for their addiction.

The main active chemical in marijuana is THC, which causes cellular reactions in the body that cause the drug high users seek to experience. However, THC also causes negative side effects as well such as increased heart rate and anxiety, and difficulty thinking.

THC changes the way that the brain’s hippocampus can process information. The hippocampus is responsible for learning, memory and emotions. Unfortunately, long term marijuana use can cause damage to the brain. While THC has negative effects on the body, it has not been proven to be chemically addictive.

Further, when marijuana addicts are not able to get the drug, they will experience significant physiological withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include headaches, depression and irritation. Therefore, in many cases marijuana rehab and treatment is a necessity.

Some people wonder why there are drug rehab centers at all if marijuana isn’t addictive. There are a variety of reasons for this fact. First of all, those who are addicted to marijuana often have a lifestyle that is tied in with the drug. Researchers have speculated that those with a marijuana addiction are actually addicted to the high that the drug produces in their brain.

Due, in part, to the fact that marijuana isn’t chemically addictive, historically, there have been fewer treatment centers. However, marijuana users do indeed need help getting off drugs, just as users of any other drug would. Many people who try to quit marijuana have such a hard time doing so that they do indeed feel as though it must be chemically addictive!

Although the evidence to date supports the idea that marijuana creates a psychological and social dependency rather than one that is chemically based, the court is still out. Researchers continue to conduct studies on the impact of marijuana on the brain and the body. Therefore, it is possible that in the future we will discover more evidence about the addictive nature of marijuana of which we are not currently aware.
Discovering the Truth about Marijuana Use in Teens
Thursday, November 11th, 2010
Many parents of teenagers worry that their children might be using marijuana. After all, marijuana is by far the most commonly used illicit drug and is widely available. Unfortunately, marijuana addiction is an issue that impacts many teens. It is best to halt drug use at an early age before the habits are deeply ingrained and marijuana intervention and rehab is necessary. Let’s take a quick look at the truth surrounding teen marijuana use.

How Many Teens Use Marijuana?

According to The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, almost 20% of individuals between the ages of 12 and 17 claim they have used marijuana at some point in their lives. While this number may seem high, it is actually about a percent lower than it was in 2002. It is estimated that 4,830 teens start using marijuana each day and that 7.2% of teens have used marijuana in the last month. When it comes to older teens between the ages of 16 and 17, this percentage more than doubles. It has been said that 15.6% of 16 and 17 year olds have used marijuana in the last month. Marijuana use among teens is rampant, although indicators show that teen use is decreasing.

When Does Marijuana Use Begin?

Many teens start using marijuana very young. A recent study reports that nearly 10% of the students studied started using marijuana before they turned 13. This means that marijuana prevention and education efforts need to start before the teenage years. Male students typically start using marijuana at a younger age than female students. Be aware that recent studies also indicate that younger students (9th and 10th grade) were more likely to use marijuana before 13 than those in higher grades (11th and 12th).

Where Does Marijuana Use Occur?

One fact that surprises many is that marijuana is actually being used in our public schools. While most students use marijuana off school property, a recent study shows that 5.8% of students have used the drug while at school. This means that students are getting high between classes and during lunch. The use of marijuana in school is increasing and is up from 3% in 2001.

Often teens don’t realize just how harmful this drug can be and don’t understand that they are at risk for marijuana addiction. Many incorrectly believe that this drug does not carry any risk. If we want to slow teen marijuana use, education is key. Since many teens start using this drug at a young age, it is important for parents to talk to their children about the dangers of using marijuana.

Marijuana and Getting Your Life Back
Monday, April 26th, 2010
Using marijuana can be something that will keep you from getting sober in the future. This is a much abused drug and many people never stop using it their entire lives. In order to get the help you need you should understand that this drug can lead you to using more and more powerful drugs and sobriety could be something you never experience. Do what you can and find help at a treatment program in your area that has experience and knowledge about this drug. In that way you’ll know that you can get sober and stay sober. This is the opportunity for you to truly find peace in yourself. Marijuana is a very common drug that people find themselves abusing. At first it may seem that nothing is wrong but, you can quickly see that it will disrupt your everyday life and keep you from being focused on your family and career. In order to get the most out of life you need to see what the most important things are and how they can help you. This can only happen if you are in the right state of mind and by abusing drugs you’ll not be sober and this can keep you from living life to the fullest. When you get drug treatment help for marijuana use you’ll need to know that you have to be in a program that will give you the tools and resources for getting sober and staying sober. Many people have substance abuse problems and because, they use stronger drugs you can’t think that makes a difference in you getting help in a different way. All drugs are dangerous and knowing that taking any drug can lead to suffering the medical staff and your peers will understand that is just as dangerous as anything else. Staying focused on your life and how marijuana could have caused you to suffer will be a priority at this time. You’ll need to know that you can do something in order to get sober and stay sober. Don’t let substance abuse be something that will keep you from living. You should find a way to make sure that you don’t use dangerous drugs and one way you can do this is by going to a treatment program. At a program you’ll see how your addiction started and what you can do to keep from becoming addicted again. Don’t let marijuana ruin your life do something today.
Marijuana Abuse
Sunday, January 24th, 2010

This article should help you understand if you are suffering from marijuana abuse. This drug is very popular and used by many individuals. Many people feel that they may not have an addiction problem with using pot or that it’s even addictive. The truth, like with any drug, a very strong habit can form that is created both mentally and physically in the user. Below is information that will help you understand the extend of your addiction and how you can look for help.

The first question that you could be asking yourself is, how do you know if you have a marijuana dependency? This is a very important question to consider because many people may think that they never have a problem. One way of looking at abuse is how often do you use it and in what quantities. If you smoke marijuana everyday to an extent that it alters perception of reality, then you should speak with a healthcare professional. If you smoke marijuana every few days at such a quantity that it inhibits your abilities to function normally, then you should consider speaking with someone.

If you feel that you may have a marijuana abuse problem, you should contact a healthcare agency or private company in your area today. By making a call to them, you’ll be able to speak with a person who is trained in helping you understand the types of treatment they offer and begin consulting you on the level of drug use that you are at. The next step will involve visiting the program and speaking with a healthcare professional in person. This will give you a chance to talk about everything on your mind and why you’re looking for help.

As you continue your research in substance abuse treatment centers, it’s a good idea to speak with a range of representatives from different centers. Each program will offer alternative ways of helping you to stop using marijuana. You may find some programs more appealing than others. You should also consider if you want to attend an outpatient or inpatient substance abuse program. Outpatient involves you staying at a treatment center only for a few hours a day and then you return home or to a sober living facility. An inpatient program will mean that you live at the center twenty-four hours a day, which will separate you completely from the temptations to smoke marijuana. As you continue your research the right decision of where to go will become apparent. Good luck on your journey.

Quitting Marijuana
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

If you feel that you have a problem with using marijuana, then this article should be helpful for you. Outlined below are some different considerations to make in order to help you understand how to find treatment for this addiction. Like any drug, pot can create a very powerful bond between your mental and physical states. By ingesting the drug, you continue to create this bond and sustain it. If you want to stop using, you should speak with a healthcare professional today. Help is very close and you should never feel alone when confronting substance abuse.

By reading this article, you have already taken the first steps toward confronting your marijuana use. Usually a person doesn’t know that they have a substance abuse problem. But maybe, you’ve recognized that it’s a possibility in your life or something has happened that has caused you to search for help. Because pot is an illegal drug, an individual will seek help after they’ve been arrested for possessing or using it. If this is the case, you should know that it’s a wake up call. Facing the consequences of jail time is only one way that your life can get ruined by using drugs.

Going to a treatment center will help you toward understanding your addiction and creating the steps that you will need to go through to gain sobriety. Different centers offer different programs that you can utilize toward your recovery. It’s important to consider that some programs may work better for you than others. By speaking with a counselor at the center, you’ll be able to determine which programs will work best for you. Being able to get to the root of your addiction takes time. By understanding why you’ve slipped into using marijuana on a regular basis, it will help you to stop using and stay sober in the future.

When you begin contacting different treatment centers for marijuana use, you should start making a list of the pros and cons at each center. The counselors will use terminology such as, inpatient and outpatient, which you may not understand. Always ask them to define what they’re saying and give you a clear picture of what will happen when you go to their program. You should also think about telling your friends and family what’s been happening in your life. You will need a support system when you leave the program and you want to make sure that you don’t slip back into using marijuana.