Cannabis addiction is a controversial topic these days. While many believe that marijuana is not physically addictive, it is hard to deny its ability to take over someone’s life. Whether the compulsion to use is driven by physical factors, psychological ones, or a combination of the two, it is still a condition that needs to be addressed. There are several things to look at when determining if you have a dependence to this substance, but it mostly boils down to if it is becoming an increasing presence in your life. This can sometimes be difficult to assess yourself as people have a tendency to want to believe they still have control over their lives.
In order to get past the denial, it is helpful to ask yourself a few questions about your drug use. A good determining factor for assessing cannabis addiction is if you are developing a tolerance to the substance. If you are requiring more of the drug in order to achieve the same level of a high, then there is a serious problem. Another sign is if you find yourself compelled to use more and more every day. If you started off using only once in awhile and are now finding yourself smoking marijuana on a weekly, daily, or even more frequent basis, then your marijuana use is no longer just recreational.
Another factor used in determining cannabis addiction is whether or not you have tried to quit and have done so successfully. Everyone thinks that they can stop using anytime they want, but if you have tried and failed, then your issue with marijuana needs to be addressed. Also, if when you tried to quit you went through withdrawal symptoms, this is a definite sign that you have an addiction. The role that marijuana plays in your life also needs to be investigated. If you find yourself engaging in less social activities, skipping important events or even missing work because you choose to use marijuana instead, this is a definite clue that you have a substance abuse issue.
