Is It?
No, it’s not physically, although there’s definite evidence to the contrary when it comes to the psychological and emotional. Weed works differently for different people, but most frequently, those who use it experience a shift in perception, as well as calming benefits, creative enhancement, etc. Because it enhances experience, it can make mundane activities tolerable, and even enhance focus to assist in carrying them out. That said, if you’re having trouble sleeping and you have to smoke to do so, you might be in trouble.
For some, quitting is no issue at all. This article on Healthline mentions a 60-year-old man from North Carolina that quit after decades of use, and likened it to discontinuing to eat chocolate. According to the National Institute on Drug Use, about 30% of marijuana users have an actual addiction. And people who use marijuana before the age of 18 are up to seven times more likely to develop a dependency. Marijuana can impair brain function in those under the age of 25. It impairs motor skills, sensory perception, and lung function in those who are still developing them. Overall very few marijuana users seek treatment; in 2015, around 140,000 sought help out of an estimated 4 million that had a disorder. 9% of those who use it become addicted to it, a percentage that rises to 17% when users start during adolescence, and rises to 50% when a teenager uses it on a daily basis, which likely impairs them for the rest of their life. Rates of teen use does not seem to be affected by legalization, however.
Signs You Might Be Addicted
If you use it for almost every aspect of your life, or it impedes on any activities, then you might be addicted. For one, if your tolerance is high, so to speak, then you may be suffering from addiction. Another way to tell is how you feel during a t-break. If you experience insomnia, anxiety, loss of appetite, or irritability, you’re likely going through withdrawl, which means addiction.
If you use more than you intend or have trouble stopping, then you’re probably most definitely suffering from addiction. Another sign would be a reduction in activities. If you were relatively active before you started, and found yourself slowing down, it’s a warning sign to watch out for.
If you get to the point that you’re actively wondering whether you’ll be able to smoke pot during an event, and the answer affects whether or not you’ll be going, it’s likely that you’re suffering from addiction.
If you use it, or any substance as a coping mechanism, it means that you likely suffer from addiction.
If it gets in the way of fulfilling responsibilities or distracts you from daily activities, then it’s very likely that you’re suffering from addiction.
Psychological addiction can last even longer than physical addiction without the proper treatment.
How to Stop
If you’re not like the aforementioned 60-year-old man who just stops, you may want to try rehab. There are plenty of alternatives to experiencing similar effects. Acupuncture, therapy, art therapy, massage, meditation, counseling, good nutrition are among the options. If the addiction is to the extent that it negatively affects your quality of life as mentioned above, it may be necessary to simply release it from your life. It’s important to let others in your life know that you’re stopping.