Inspire Change Wellness Drug Detox Programs | Page 23

Can I Really Get Addicted to Marijuana?
Am I addicted to marijuana? Can I do without it? Am I spending too much money on this
drug? Being honest and up front with yourself or your friends or loved ones may be something
that will save their lives, either financially or physically.
Therapy is the best building block used for marijuana addiction. While some proponents state
that since this is an organic plant, addiction is not possible. The National Institute on Drug
Abuse (NIDA) has stated that almost 10 % of persons that use marijuana will become
addicted. Those that start using marijuana in their teen years face a higher risk, almost 20%.
For those that use marijuana daily, the risk of addiction becomes between 25%- 50% for users.
While some drugs cause a physical addiction to a drug, marijuana causes a psychological (or
mental) addiction. The brain hungers for it. The relaxation, the calm and peace it produces for
an individual is the reason it is abused.
Why do individuals need marijuana? The answer to any addiction is what is causing the need
for the drug. To resolve an addiction, treatment plans must be put in place to explore, on an
individual basis, the need for the drug. What is happening in the life of the addict that can be
modified to decrease stress, pain or unhappiness?