Many parents today struggle with their teens who engage in marijuana abuse. Of course, your young person likely argues that marijuana is good for you, especially in light of recent legalization. However, is marijuana addictive? If it’s addictive, how can you know if your teen needs help?
Exactly How Is Marijuana Addictive?
No one should recommend that others smoke marijuana. Even though no deaths directly relate to marijuana use, it does not mean the drug is problem free. In fact, smoking marijuana leads to many problems. These include risk-taking behavior that causes injury.
The biggest question most parents have about their teen smoking, is marijuana addictive? The quick answer is yes. However, this dependence shows different signs and affects people in different ways than drugs like cocaine or alcohol. On marijuana, you don’t develop a physical addiction, but definitely develop psychological dependence and suffer physical withdrawal symptoms.
Is My Teen Addicted to Marijuana?
Now you know the answer to, is marijuana addictive? Therefore, your next question naturally becomes, is my teen dependent on marijuana?
Since most teens don’t consider dependence on marijuana a possibility, few admit when they have a real problem. Moreover, even fewer seek any kind of help through their parents or a rehab center. Only about three percent of people with dependence on marijuana ever enter treatment.
How Do I Know if My Teen Needs Help?
The easiest way to know if your teen suffers a real problem with marijuana is to look at how often they use the drug. Ongoing use with regularity indicates they need help for their drug use and possibly other conditions related to using marijuana, such as anxiety or depression.
Warning signs you can look for in your teen include inability to stop smoking, despite promising to do so. Furthermore, teens who use pot to relax or escape reality have a need for treatment, as does someone whose social life revolves around the drug’s use. Drops in school grades, attendance, or performance provide other clear signs your teen needs help.
If your young person suffers symptoms of withdrawal when stopping their marijuana use, they need rehab and detox treatment. For example, some symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Sleeplessness and fatigue
- Irritability
- Shakiness and headaches
- Anxiety and depression
- Lost appetite
- Drug cravings
Teen Marijuana Treatment
If your teen shows signs of dependence, exhibits addictive behaviour patterns, or uses marijuana regularly, they need treatment specifically designed for teens and young adults. Therefore, treatment programs must include:
- Individual counselling
- Family therapy
- Youth detox
- Individual treatment planning
- Residential or inpatient rehab
At Venture Academy, your teen puts marijuana use and other trouble behaviour behind them. They grow into more responsible and respectful young people, ready to take on a brighter future. If your teen uses marijuana on a regular basis and possibly suffers marijuana dependence, call Venture Academy now at *DM_DirectNumber format=period orig=(855) 281-5813* for more information about our locations throughout Canada.
