Marijuana Addiction: Overcoming Shame and Seeking Treatment

Admitting you even have an addiction problem in the first place can be tough. You may not recognize yourself in the stereotypes you associate with marijuana addiction, or you may simply not want to be associated with such stereotypes. “Potheads” are popularly portrayed as lackadaisical, overweight, unhygienic hippies and anarchists who picked up smoking as a hobby, or as a desperate act of escapism. They tend to be seen as belonging to a group outside of societal norms, not likely to be successful or even terribly bright.

The reality of marijuana abuse is, of course, far more diversified in origin and user than the portrait painted by such stigmas. People of all genders and all walks of life can fall into marijuana dependence and addiction—even pregnant mothers may struggle with marijuana abuse. Some may have used it recreationally from the start, but others may have initially taken marijuana medically as a “safer” alternative to opioid prescriptions for pain management.

If you find that marijuana has become a permanent fixture in your life—one that you find difficult, even impossible, to step away from, even when you want or need to do so—it’s time to consider the possibility that your habit has become an addiction. If this is the case, know that you are not alone, and that there is no shame in having or admitting you have a problem. Addiction is a disease of the brain, not a personal or moral defect—and it comes in as many shapes and sizes as there are people in the world.

Unfortunately, your own internalized ideas of what marijuana addiction looks like may not be the only sources of stigma standing between you and your recovery. The sad truth is that even Americans in favor of legalizing marijuana for recreational use seem to believe in the pothead stereotype to some extent.

Perhaps your family has exhibited highly negative attitudes in the past towards addicts in their words or actions, including how they may have treated another person in the family with an addiction in the past. Perhaps your friends are successful business professionals, the sort who wouldn’t dream of trying recreational drugs. Or perhaps you simply don’t have anyone in your current social circle you feel you can trust with something as serious as your addiction.

Whatever the case may be, it’s important to recognize the vital role a social support system plays in addiction recovery. If you feel you cannot turn to your family or friends for support, look for support groups (either locally or online) where you can connect with people who will understand and empathize with your situation and help you cope with your addiction in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. Having someone to talk to when you need a shoulder to lean on, or someone to listen to when you simply need to be reminded that you’re not alone, is a powerful tool for healing, and necessary for long-term recovery.

Even if you have accepted that you have a problem and have a support network you can rely on, the last critical piece of the recovery puzzle—asking for help—presents yet one more challenge, and for some, it may be the most difficult of all. You may feel that asking for help is a sign of weakness or a symbol of defeat. You may even feel that it is somehow irresponsible, even wrong, to pass on even a portion of your burden onto others, because it is your problem, and you should therefore be the one to fix it.

However, your marijuana addiction may be more complicated a puzzle to solve than it appears at first glance.

The Unexpected Complications of Marijuana Addiction

While marijuana abuse is not associated with as numerous or as severe long-term effects as other substance use disorders, it can create a psychological—and sometimes even physiological—dependence that can be tough to kick. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse,

Marijuana use disorder becomes addiction when the person cannot stop using the drug even though it interferes with many aspects of his or her life … In 2015, about 4.0 million people in the United States met the diagnostic criteria for a marijuana use disorder.

Marijuana use disorder also often exists alongside other substance use disorders and even mental health disorders—and recent research suggests that people who carry the AKT1 gene and use marijuana may be at significant risk for developing psychosis.

There’s also withdrawal to consider. Full recovery from marijuana addiction takes time, often much longer than people expect—one man speaking at an addiction conference reported that, “It took three years before the marijuana bubble burst.” Common symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Changes in sleep and diet patterns
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Chills
• Headaches

While not usually life-threatening, marijuana withdrawal is no picnic, either.

Why Asking for Help is a Critical Step in the Healing Process

While it may be possible for you to overcome marijuana addiction on your own, it’s far from ideal, as it is neither as safe nor as effective in the long run as allowing others to help you heal. Social supports keep you motivated (and, in turn, help you build stronger interpersonal relationships which can nurture you both). Medical professionals, meanwhile, can help get to the roots of your marijuana abuse and ensure you have the tools you need to cope with—and move beyond—addiction in order to cultivate a healthier lifestyle.

Remember, you are only human, and you do not exist in a vacuum of responsibility. Asking for help isn’t selfish or weak, and it certainly doesn’t qualify as a surrender. Rather, it is a sign that you are strong—strong enough to be willing to fight for the life you want for yourself, instead of a life governed by addiction.