Marijuana Abuse

Marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the United States. The latest treatment data indicate that in 2006 marijuana was responsible for about 16 percent (289,988) of all admissions to treatment facilities in the United States. Marijuana treatment admissions were primarily male (73.8 percent), White (51.5 percent), and young (36.1 percent were in the 15–19 age range). Those in treatment for primary marijuana abuse had begun use at an early age: 56.2 percent had abused it by age 14 and 92.5 percent had abused it by age 18.

Marijuana abuse is characterized as the continual and habitual use of marijuana. Often the marijuana addict will continually make decisions to quit or cut down use but will quickly relapse due to overwhelming mental and emotional cravings for it. Many people that have developed marijuana abuse problems find that they must be high on marijuana to enjoy themselves and feel normal.

Over time, marijuana abuse changes an individual in many ways. Changes can be seen socially, emotionally, physically, as well as psychologically. Individuals suffering with marijuana abuse tend to include marijuana as a part of their daily lives and gravitate to others who share their interest in the drug. Daily marijuana users also tend to compulsively seek out and use more marijuana, losing interest in activities or hobbies that once meant a lot to them. Marijuana abuse tends to lead to changes in appearance where he or she may begin to look unkempt or sloppy. Many marijuana abusers feel that every activity should revolve around smoking, obtaining, and getting stoned.

Marijuana use and abuse has been romanticized by writers and musicians, from Louis Armstrong to Bob Dylan, and it has been depicted as harmless or silly in movies like “Harold and Kumar,” however, marijuana is up to five times more potent now than it was in the 1970s, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

And this new more-potent marijuana and the growing support for legalization has led to an often angry debate over marijuana abuse. Many public health officials worry that this stronger marijuana has increased marijuana abuse and addiction rates and is potentially more dangerous to teenagers, whose brains are still developing.

The truth is that more adults are now admitted to treatment centers for primary marijuana abuse and addiction than for primary addictions to heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, according to the latest government data, a 2007 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Marijuana abuse effects millions of peoples lives today, however, marijuana's reputation in society is still looked at as trivial and is considered by society as a "soft" drug. Also, because marijuana abuse withdrawal symptoms tend to be less severe than the symptoms of other drugs, this adds to marijuana's rise in social acceptance, however, many are unaware that the emotional and mental issues that come with marijuana abuse can last for more than 45 days. Unfortunately, the deceptive nature of marijuana abuse appears to be more of a diving board for which the unfortunate diver is unable to see the bottom of their marijuana abuse problems.

Marijuana abuse and addiction is very deceptive in that most marijuana abusers do not feel that they are addicted at all. The typical attitude of those abusing marijuana is, "I can quit any time. I'm just doing it because it's fun and something to do when I'm board." So they smoke every day, even several times a day, and gravitate towards others who also smoke marijuana and compulsively seek out and use more marijuana and include marijuana as a part of their daily lives. Eventually the addict feels he "needs" marijuana and finds himself not wanting to quit for fear of withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, weight loss, and depression. Is this not addiction?