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If you think that you may be addicted to marijuana, pinpointing the problem is only the first step that you must take towards getting appropriate help. There are many signs to look out for if you’re a regular marijuana smoker; many can alert you early on to the premise that you may be suffering from addiction. Early recognition of the signs of marijuana addiction can help you make the courageous decision to seek professional help and to take back control of your life.
Am I Addicted to Marijuana? Look Out for These Signs
Tolerance & Lack of Control
The first real sign that you have succumbed to an addiction to marijuana comes when you develop a tolerance to the drug and, despite your goal to moderate your marijuana use, you have lost control over your drug use. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana use is also linked to mental illness so if you’ve lost control over your use of pot, consider seeking prompt treatment to ensure your safety.
Complete Preoccupation with Marijuana
If you experience anxiety when you try to quit smoking, you’re likely addicted to marijuana.
As your addiction progresses, more of your life is spent seeking more pot to smoke, smoking pot or spending time with others who smoke pot. People who are addicted to marijuana will change the connections that they have to spend more time with people who smoke pot, they will avoid spending time with people who don’t smoke pot and they may alter their entire day just to be able to smoke. The preoccupation that arises as a result of marijuana addiction is often responsible for relationship struggles, financial problems and other serious side effects of marijuana addiction.
Masking Emotions & Denying the Problem
Do you smoke pot to relax? Are you smoking pot to cover up a negative emotion such as sadness that you don’t particularly want to deal with? Has your loved one confronted you about being addicted to marijuana and you’ve denied that there is a problem with what you are doing? One of the signs of marijuana addiction that you should be on the lookout for is related to how you use marijuana. If you’re using it to cover up your emotions or if you deny that you have a problem despite interruptions that have resulted from your use of marijuana, you are likely addicted.
Suffering from Withdrawal when you Try to Quit
Have you tried to quit smoking pot? Do you feel anxious, agitated or sick to your stomach when you don’t smoke? Have you had trouble sleeping or do you have strong cravings when you aren’t smoking pot? These are all signs of withdrawal and they signify your body’s physical and psychological dependence on marijuana – also known as marijuana addiction. If you’re feeling symptoms of withdrawal when you don’t smoke, you’re likely addicted to marijuana and should accept this as a sign that you need further help.