Overcome Cannabis Addiction: Get Help Today at Milestone Treatment Center

Cannabis (marijuana) refers to a group of tropical plants with psychoactive properties. The flowers of these plants are harvested and dried, most commonly smoked but also sometimes ingested. More recently cannabis vape pens make marijuana even easier to smoke. When smoked or ingested, cannabis has a variety of effects on the body and mind, including:

• Altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colors)
• Altered sense of time
• Changes in mood
• Impaired body movement
• Difficulty with thinking and problem-solving
• Impaired memory
• Hallucinations (when taken in high doses)
• Delusions (when taken in high doses)
• Psychosis (when taken in high doses)

Cannabis Use Disorder

While many people can use cannabis without developing a dependency on it, some people develop what is known as Cannabis Use Disorder. Cannabis Use Disorder is a diagnosable condition that occurs when the brain adapts to the repeated presence of the drug, leading to cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and compulsive drug-seeking behavior.

The Impacts of Cannabis Use Disorder

While Cannabis Use Disorder may not seem as serious as an addiction to other substances, such as Fentanyl, it can still significantly impact your life. Some of the consequences of Cannabis Use Disorder include:

• Breathing problems: Cannabis smoke irritates the lungs, and people who smoke cannabis frequently may have the same breathing problems as those who smoke tobacco. These problems include daily cough and phlegm, more frequent lung illness, and a higher risk of lung infections.
• Increased heart rate: Cannabis raises heart rate for up to 3 hours after smoking. This effect may increase the chance of heart attack. Older people and those with heart problems may be at higher risk.
• Problems with child development during and after pregnancy: Cannabis use during pregnancy is linked to lower birth weight and an increased risk of both brain and behavioral problems in babies. If a woman uses cannabis while pregnant, the baby may be more likely to develop Cannabis Use Disorder when they get older.
• Intense nausea and vomiting: People who use cannabis on a regular basis over a long period of time may develop Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, which is characterized by recurring cycles of severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration, often accompanied by the compulsive need to take hot showers or baths.
• Hallucinations and paranoia: Cannabis use, especially in high doses, can trigger hallucinations and paranoia.
• Impaired mental health: Cannabis Use Disorder increases the risk of developing temporary and long-lasting psychosis. It may also worsen the course of schizophrenia in people with this disorder.