Marijuana Abuse: How Does It Affect Your Body?

Introduction:

Marijuana or Cannabis is a drug acquired from the cannabis plant. The popularity of this drug is found all over the world. It is an illegal drug, but some countries are making the use of marijuana legal. This is the third most commonly consumed drug after tobacco and alcohol. Similarly, the long-term usage of this drug can lead to its addiction. However, 1 out of 10 people who use marijuana can get addicted. If a person starts using it before the age of 18 years, the number increases from 1 out of 6 people.

What Is Marijuana or Cannabis?

Marijuana or Cannabis or weed or grass is a drug developed from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. The drug is a mixture of dried leaves, flowers, and stems of the plant and is then dried out and smoked on paper like a cigarette. It contains a chemical called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a psychoactive chemical (drug or other substance that affects the functioning of the brain and causes changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, or behavior).

Marijuana affects the nervous system and produces feelings like euphoria, relaxation, and increased appetite. It can be used in many ways, such as

• Joints - Hand-rolled cigarettes.

• Blunts - Emptied cigars refilled with marijuana.

• Bongs - Pipes or water pipes.

• Edibles - Mixed-in foods.

People believe that marijuana is a safe or harmless drug no matter how you use it. However, if a person misuses or overuses this drug, it can lead to long-term effects, including developing an addiction.

What Are the Effects of Marijuana?

While smoking marijuana, its principal constituent, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), reaches the lungs and quickly enters the bloodstream. Then it travels to the brain and other organs, which leads to some effects on the body:

• Altered senses (like smell, taste, touch).

• Altered sense of time.

• Difficulty thinking or solving problems.

• Memory problems.

• Mood swings or changes.

In the case of a large dosage of marijuana, there can be some serious mental effects like

• Confusion.

• Hallucinations.

• Paranoia.

What Is Marijuana Abuse?

Drug abuse can be said as a condition when a person starts using a drug excessively, which can lead to social, physical, and emotional harm. Marijuana abuse can have severe consequences if left untreated. Due to new laws, it is legal in various states or countries worldwide, making it available to more people for medical and recreational use. However, it is possible to abuse or get addicted to it, using it legally or illegally; this is known as Marijuana or cannabis use disorder.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Marijuana Abuse?

There are various signs and symptoms related to Marijuana abuse or addiction, which can be divided into the following groups:

Signs of Marijuana Abuse

Cannabis or marijuana use disorder can be identified by considering the symptoms mentioned above in the table.

Moreover, Marijuana produces various symptoms in the body and mind, varying from person to person. Other things that can affect the symptoms are dosage and duration.

Some symptoms can be temporary but may last for a longer duration, and there can be some long-term symptoms that can affect a person mentally and physically.

Some of the common temporary symptoms include -

• Elevated heart rate.

• Mild euphoria.

• Increased appetite.

• Heightened awareness and sensations.

• Decreased coordination and concentration.

• Trouble sleeping.

The long-term use of Marijuana can lead to more serious complications, which include -

• Damage to the lungs.

• Heart problems.

• Weaker immune system.

• Learning problems.

Long-term mental complications include -

• Paranoia.

• Hallucinations.

• Depression.

• Anxiety.

• Suicidal thoughts.

• Worsening a preexisting condition of schizophrenia.

• Addiction.

What Is a Cannabis Use Disorder?

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is also known as cannabis addiction or Marijuana addiction. This term is used for problematic Marijuana use (given in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition or DSM 5).

How to Diagnose Cannabis Use Disorder?

The diagnosis of cannabis use disorder can be made by assessing the patient's history and family history to investigate the use of this drug among the family members.

Along with that, some clinical or lab tests can be done. For example, a urine test can be done to find traces of THC if someone is consuming Marijuana for two to three days, and in frequent users, the test can be positive for up to 27 days.

The severity of the addiction or disorder depends upon the symptoms, which can be classified as -

• Mild - Two to three symptoms.

• Moderate - Four to five symptoms.

• Severe - Six or more symptoms.

What Is the Treatment for Marijuana Abuse or Addiction?

Marijuana abuse or addiction treatment mainly focuses on behavioral and motivational therapy. The various treatment involved in this is

1. Talk Therapy -

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - This therapy works well for most people. It helps people to understand the thoughts and behaviors that make them use this drug initially and helps to replace them with positive and healthier ones.

• Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) - This involves motivational interviewing and usually has two or four sessions. It helps change the person's behavior by giving non-judgemental feedback and helps in setting future goals.

• Contingency Management - This involves giving ourselves rewards for staying drug-free for a while. In this therapy, a mental health therapist or addiction specialist works with the person to set goals and rewards, which helps the person to remain without drugs.

2. Medication -

Cannabis use disorder is higher in people with other mental disorders or issues than in the general population. An accurate diagnosis is required, and proper treatment has to be followed to treat the underlying conditions. The underlying diseases leading to excessive drug usage are

• Schizophrenia (a serious mental disorder that makes a person's ability to interpret reality abnormally).

• Mood and anxiety disorders.

• Personality disorders.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, a disorder that develops due to experiencing a traumatic incident in the past).

What Are Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms?

When a person gets addicted to marijuana, they depend on it, and the body also adapts to the presence of this drug in this system. And whenever the person tries to stop using this drug, the body reacts by showing various symptoms.

And the withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person, and some common symptoms are

• Strong urges for cannabis.

• Sleep problems.

• Persistent dizziness.

• Problems focusing or concentrating.

• Loss of appetite.

• Sexual dysfunction.

• Agitation.

• Irritability.

• Depression.

The intensity of withdrawal symptoms and the ability of the person to handle them are the criteria that help to choose an effective treatment program.

How to Prevent Marijuana Use and Addiction?

Many people believe that Marijuana usage is harmless because it is a natural product. And many people can use it without any addiction or abuse. As this drug is legal in various parts of the world and readily available, there are still some points that a person should always keep in mind, such as

• Increase family support and supervision.

• Encourage open conversations about substances and risks.

• Discuss the risks and side effects of drugs, including marijuana.

• Model healthy behavior.

• Implement prevention programs in schools and communities.

Conclusion:

Marijuana usage does not always get to addiction; it generally depends on the person's will and nature of use. Addiction can be anything, but it can be overcome with sheer willpower. It can be scary and uncertain, but it is treatable, and various options are available to eliminate this condition.