Marijuana comes from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant.
Its often made from the dried leaves and flowers of the plant and even the seeds and stems.
It contains a chemical called THC, which is a psychoactive chemical.
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
Knowing what these are can help you approach your loved one in a caring way.
Marijuana Addiction
Addictionrefers to the compulsive use of substances driven by strong physical and psychological urges.
These can include:
Protective factors can help people avoid substance use disorders.
Marijuana Abuse in Teens
Teens naturally take risks and push the envelope.
Many teens will try illicit substances.
The teenage brain is immature and still developing.
If marijuana is abused during these years, it can interfere withbrain development.
Side effects can include:
What Are Signs My Teen Is Marijuana?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there’s no safe amount of marijuana during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
In addition to THC, there are almost 500 chemicals in marijuana.
These chemicals can cross the placenta and affect the fetus.
There are studies of children whose mothers used marijuana when pregnant with them.
These children were found to have decreased verbal reasoning skills and more hyperactivity, impulsivity, and decreased attention.
However, there may be other reasons for these findings and more research is necessary.
Treatment for Marijuana Abuse
There’streatmentfor marijuana abuse.
If you think you might have a problem, there’s help out there.
Support Groups
Support groupsmay be another option for treatment.
Marijuana Anonymous is one such support group based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The incentives are most effective when there are plenty of opportunities to get reinforcement.
The reinforcement immediately follows the behavior, and the value of the motivator is significant to the person.
You dont have to manage it alone.
Talk with your healthcare professional.
They can help identify treatment options that are appropriate for your situation and provide resources for family and friends.
Marijuana Use
Many people can use marijuana safely without becoming addicted or abusing it.
But like any mind-altering substance, there’s always a chance that it can become problematic.
This is nothing to be ashamed about.
There is effective treatment available for you.
A Word From VeryWell
Many people use marijuana at one point or another.
They will work with you to get properly evaluated and the appropriate treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be.
Marijuana use can lead to dependence if a person has withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it.
Addiction is when the person has to use it even after it negatively affects their life.
It’s hard to get accurate numbers because many studies conflate dependence and addiction.
National Institutes of Health.Cannabis (marijuana).
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration.Know the effects, risks and side effects of marijuana.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Is marijuana addictive?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Substance use disorder.
doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.2370
Youth.Gov.Risk and protective factors.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cannabis.
American Addiction Centers.Signs of marijuana use in teens: how to tell if your child is high.
2018;142(3):e20181889.
doi:10.1542/peds.2018-1889
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Marijuana and pregnancy.
