Marijuana Addiction and Withdrawal
Marijuana addiction is a controversial subject. Many smokers feel that it is bunk and that this plant is not addictive. They do have a point. When compared with the addictive properties of other substances such as alcohol or cocaine, marijuana does indeed look comparatively harmless.
But is this always the case? And it could it be that there are other profiles of addiction that simply don’t map out well for marijuana?
Self-described marijuana addicts feel that’s the case. The consensus amongst a small amount of long term smokers, often those having smoked for decades, is that they are absolutely experiencing an addiction when it comes to smoking marijuana, and their experience includes many classic withdrawal symptoms. This article seeks to describe what has been reported by those suffering from addiction who quit and go through withdrawal.
First and foremost, a general feeling of anxiety and unease is the most reported feeling. Something is just not right, and the user knows it. A tendency to basically be grumpy and uncomfortable, ill at ease, and no fun to be around – this is what happens to most.
Secondly, a plethora of various side effects are reported by users experiencing withdrawal: insomnia, the ability to NOT fall asleep, followed by bad dreams and nightmares once the user actually does make it to the dream world. An ironic loss of appetite, in which food just doesn’t seem to serve any purpose at the moment. The body may feel especially cold, freezing and shivering, as if the user has contracted the flu. He or she may feel depressed and lifeless, feeling as though all the energy has been taken out of them. It’s common to feel a loss of motivation.
Thirdly, all of this is made all that much worse by a constant compulsion to smoke, a nagging desire in the background of the mind that really, really, really just wants to go out, score some marijuana, smoke up and get high again. This is the classic definition of addiction, and users who doubt that marijuana can become addicting should note that this compulsion to smoke is reported by many people trying to quit.
Withdrawal symptoms start to some extent nearly immediately – that is to say, if a user doesn’t smoke that day, he or she will start to feel cranky, and so on. Quitting cold turkey – often a recommended method by those who have done – report that the withdrawal hits you head on immediately within 24 hours, but subsides within a number of days. For that, a user can be grateful – go through the worst, and hold on to the light at the end of the tunnel.
According to some sources, over 100,000 people seek professional help for their being addicted to marijuana While this number is not independently verified, the fact remains; some users go through terrible withdrawal when quitting and could largely benefit from a support group of other addicts as well as family and friends. Marijuana addiction treatment centers are also available.
Author: Ben Quick
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Smart cooker