Marijuana Addiction

Substance abuse is no respecter of persons neither is it a respecter of age. Young and old alike can be chemically addicted. Marijuana addiction (like alcoholism) is a disease of denial in that the one addicted denies the fact that are addicted at all and maintain that they are in control and can stop at any time.

As is so common with drug addiction those addicted to marijuana were either pressured by their peers or curious and intended to experiment on a one time basis. Sadly, for whatever reason the one time experience turns into another, yet another session and shortly following becomes a dependency.

Side Effects of Marijuana Addiction

The effects of Marijuana addiction range in seriousness from overeating caused by food cravings commonly referred to as the "munchies," to the more serious effects on the mind and body. Toxic psychosis, loss of motivation and self awareness, hallucinations, and accelerated aging are risks. Marijuana also effects the natural inhibitions we feel that keep us from putting ourselves in harms way so that one who is addicted to marijuana can lose their life through some foolish act they would not have normally done.

Confronting and Conquering Marijuana Addiction

One will never have victory over marijuana addiction until one comes to the place that he/she admits the addiction exists. Nothing can be conquered that is not first confronted. Once that first step is taken, either getting help from a professional drug counselor or detox is recommended. Support from family and friends (only after having separated from addict buddies) will be helpful.

Treatment programs are available that detoxify the body from residue of the substance and deal with cravings.

Counseling should be a part of the rehab process so that the real reasons for addiction are discovered. The addiction is like a leaf - there is a root to the problem that must be uncovered to be totally free.

It is not impossible for the one who sincerely wants to be free and lead a normal, productive life to have victory over marijuana addiction. The steps are quite simple. First, the individual must be willing to face the fact that an addiction exists. Then the individual him/herself must want to be free. Then rehab, detox, and counseling are immensely successful in restoring ones life to productivity and normalcy.