Overview
The argument for or against marijuana use has been ongoing for many decades. Medical professionals and researchers are finding that the use of marijuana can be medically beneficial for a long list of illnesses. Although there are benefits to using marijuana medicinally there are occasions in which the recreational use of cannabis can cause problems.
Physiologically, dependence is usually not developed from the use of this drug. Withdrawals from cannabis containing substances are usually not medically significant or dangerous as with other substances. Dependence on marijuana is usually due to the psychological effects that it provides. Because it can be helpful in treating the symptoms of some mental illnesses, the need to use is often a form of self medicating. It is often found that those that use marijuana regularly have some form of underlying illness or disorder which is subdued by cannabis use. Cannabis dependence transcends socio-economic backgrounds, race, age, and sex. Those in successful careers to those who are unemployed are included in the list of cannabis users. There are very specific circumstances in which a person can be diagnosed with Cannabis Dependence. The occasional use of marijuana is not enough for a diagnosis of dependence.
Diagnosis
Cannabis Dependence can be diagnosed in severe cases. Signs that someone you know would qualify for this diagnosis are extended time seeking and using the substance, loss of jobs or relationships, legal consequences, and a dysfunctional home life. There are circumstances in which the psychological need for marijuana is so great that the mood of the user is regularly affected when they are not able to obtain or use it. Mood swings can consist of angry outbursts, depressive episodes, or both. The person with dependence may begin lying to those that do not support their habit or isolate from them. They may begin spending extensive amounts of time away from home and will attempt to cover the fact that they have recently used marijuana. You might find air fresheners, strong perfumes or colognes, lighters with dark residue on the edges, eye drops, mouthwash, or other evidence of drug use hidden in their room or vehicle. Marijuana can be smoked in a multitude of ways. Household objects can be used to smoke marijuana or objects can be bought that look like everyday objects for the use of smoking without detection. Examples of these objects are pens, lipstick tubes, soda cans, or decorations. An internet search for methods to hide marijuana use can be helpful in identifying these objects. Cannabis Dependence could be considered when the user must use more potent or a greater quantity of marijuana to get the wanted effects. In some cases, those looking for a stronger high will mix some other drugs with their marijuana before smoking it. This is normally when a physiological dependence occurs and therapeutic intervention may be needed.
Treatment
Treatment for Cannabis Dependence is similar to treatment for other addictions but there are unique difficulties in treating this disorder. Often the user does not see the dependence as having major consequences on their life. They may simply feel misunderstood or judged for their use. With marijuana becoming legalized, or decriminalized, in some places they may argue that their use is not deleterious. It is important to keep in mind the ways that Cannabis Dependence has negatively impacted their life and focusing on those facts and not personal opinion about the drug. Treatment needs to focus on the underlying issues that might be soothed by marijuana use. Learning to properly deal with stress or other concerns will likely be a focus of treatment so that the dependence on marijuana is not so important. Overall, Cannabis Dependence alone is not as dangerous as other addictions but can lead to higher risk behaviors.
