We have all heard the claims: The addictiveness of marijuana is zero. It comes from the earth, which means it is all natural, man. Weed should be legalized because it is so harmless. Now, we know the facts.
Cannabis addiction is very, very real. There are real cannabis withdrawal symptoms and real consequences to continued abuse of the drug. Luckily, there is help for marijuana addiction that comes from real, proven recovery programs aimed to curb your dependency altogether. Here are five facts to know when searching for cannabis treatment help.
1. Yes, hemp plants are used for many other things than just marijuana. Hemp can be made into oil, resin, wax, paper, thread for jewelry and plenty of other legal substances. Early drafts of the American Declaration of Independence, incidentally, were written on hemp-based paper. But that does not mean that all hemp is created equal. There is a point where personal responsibility comes into play, where you make the decision to break the law and abuse a harmful substance.
2. Speaking of plants, cannabis plants typically grow in nearly any ecosystem. This might explain why cannabis use is such a worldwide phenomenon, especially when cannabis plants can grow to up to 18 feet high. Still, when it comes time to seek cannabis treatment help, you must come to realize that no matter what justifications you use to rationalize your drug abuse, at the end of the day, it is a problem that needs addressing.
3. How rampant is marijuana use in the United States? Studied conducted in 2011 revealed that 22.6 percent of American high school students had used marijuana earlier that month. Only 18.7 percent said the same about cigarettes. Cannabis treatment programs aim to offer help from one individual who has been through the worst of it to you, a person who now currently needs help. This can begin as early as high school.
4. Those who say marijuana use has no harmful effects might want to pay attention. A study in the American Journal of Epidemiology reported those who smoke marijuana are three times more likely to develop psychotic symptoms that non-marijuana smokers. Psychotic symptoms, by the way, can include disorganized thoughts, delusions and hallucinations among others. There is hope, however, and that hope can be cannabis treatment.
5. Say you quit cold turkey. You are done with pot and want to make some healthy new habits in your life. Expect intense cravings in your early days of abstinence, as that is the most commonly reported symptom of withdrawal. Other symptoms may be more severe, including irritability and sleeping difficulties, with a potential for anxiety as well. This is why cannabis treatment can become such a valuable option.
Now you can tell your friends, the ones who say weed has no downside, that you know better. To see how cannabis treatment can help you or someone you know, do a little research online. It just might be the push they need to get back on track.
