Let’s Define ‘Addiction’

“When a person takes drugs or drinks alcohol over a period of time, it can change their brain circuits. In fact, addiction changes the way that crucial parts of the brain function so much that the person has a very hard time stopping their use of drugs or alcohol—even when they want to. ”

–From Addiction is a Disease on the National Institute of Drug Addiction website

How Do We Know Marijuana is Addictive?

Marijuana is addictive – just like opioids are. Not everyone who uses painkillers after surgery becomes addicted. However, we have a national crisis. This article confirms that addiction to marijuana is widely known in the medical and recovery community.

“The most common myth is that marijuana is not addictive.

 This has clearly been debunked by science; marijuana is addictive, particularly for young people. Marijuana addiction resembles other drug addictions: it is characterized by loss of control over consumption, loss of interest in activities not involving cannabis, recurrent use resulting in failure to fulfill major obligations, continued use despite negative consequences, and even its own cannabis withdrawal syndrome.” 

See article in Psychiatric Times.