How Can You Detect Marijuana Addiction in Yourself or Someone You Love?

Clinically Reviewed by Matt Hawk ICAADC, CACII, Written by Karen Hadley

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When a person becomes addicted to marijuana or any other drug, they are often the last to realize it. Friends, family members and other loved ones watch as the person they knew becomes a shadow of their former self. The addict, seemingly oblivious to the changes that are happening, doesn’t realize how deep into addiction they have come until they are already physically and psychologically addicted. Once the downward spiral towards addiction has begun, it’s very unlikely the individual will notice the signs until it’s too late.  It’s often the people around the addict who have the best chance of spotting the signs of addiction and getting the person into treatment.

If you think a loved one may be addicted, here are some of the signs to look out for:

Have they:

• Tried or promised to quit and then couldn’t stop using?
• Abandoned goals, projects or activities that were once important to them?
• Experienced legal problems, including arrests and incarceration?
• Suffered damage to relationships with family or friends?
• Spent excessive amounts of time acquiring, using, or recovering from the effects of marijuana or other drugs?
• Performed poorly on the job or at school?
• Lost multiple jobs, a business, or a career?
• Experienced significant personality changes that they could not control?
• Suffered severe anxiety, panic attacks, or paranoia?
• Suffered a severe loss of motivation?
• Neglected others they are responsible for, such as spouse or children?
• Continued to use cannabis or other drugs despite personal, mental, physical, or social harm?

If any of these symptoms are present, it’s a good time to reach out for help. The best possible chance of recovery is to get the person into rehab before they suffer permanent consequences.

Physical and Mental Signs of Cannabis Intoxication

Marijuana and other cannabis products have several signs to be on the lookout for:

• Red, bloodshot eyes
• Cravings for snack foods or sweets
• Dry mouth
• Poor memory
• Poor time sense
• Increased sociability
• Increased heart rate
• Reduced inhibitions
• Impaired judgment
• Difficulty driving or operating equipment
• Longer reaction times
• Dizziness
• Sedation
• Lethargy

Daily Users of Cannabis May Show More Intense Signs

In 2022, an estimated 17.7 million people were daily or near-daily users of cannabis, and by 2024, the number of users had surpassed the number of people who drank alcohol daily. Regular cannabis use can cause an increased severity in the signs of use.

• Lung irritation
• Paranoia
• Daily cough
• Vomiting
• Bad memory

As the symptoms worsen, the individual may experience reduced inhibitions and poor judgment, which can lead to further drug use or the use of stronger drugs.

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Higher Levels of THC Increase the Drug’s Effects

As the demand for stronger forms of marijuana continues to grow, the levels of THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) have risen. This is the substance in cannabis plants that is most psychoactive, meaning that it is the main component that gets people high.

In 1995, the average sample of marijuana contained 4% THC. By 2017, the average had risen to 17%. Some strains of marijuana can contain as much as 35% THC. But the many different concentrates take intoxication to a whole new level. Dabs, oils, waxes, and other products made from cannabis extracts range from 50% to 90% THC.

Research has shown that as the levels of THC increase, the potential for addiction increases and withdrawal effects intensify.

Finally Getting Off Marijuana

Once a person has become addicted, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms include:

• Irritability, anger, or aggression
• Anxiety
• Sleep problems
• Disturbing dreams
• Restlessness
• Depression
• Sweating
• Headaches

Withdrawal symptoms typically begin within the first 24 hours and can last as long as two or three days. The greater and more recent their use of cannabis, the more intense the withdrawal is likely to be. While milder than withdrawal from alcohol and not likely to be life-threatening, the symptoms are often severe enough to make the individual feel they need more of the drug to function normally.

Finding Rehabilitation for Marijuana Addiction

Once a person has decided to do something about his/her addiction, the next step is to figure out the most appropriate rehabilitation program. Statistics suggest a long-term residential program is most effective for real recovery. A long-term program gives them time to develop a new attitude and a new, sober way of living. Few people can recover from years of addiction in just 30 or so days.

We're here. We're ready to help you.
Call us at 1-800-737-5250 to get help now or learn more about the Narconon Drug Rehabilitation Program

A New Kind of Long-Term Residential Drug Rehab

The Narconon rehabilitation approach was started in 1966 using methods developed by L. Ron Hubbard, American author and humanitarian who also founded the Scientology religion. The Narconon program, however, is wholly secular and does not teach any religion or religious principles.

Mr. Hubbard’s research and techniques have guided Narconon’s methods since the program began. More than 40,000 people have graduated from Narconon. The program is designed to be drug‑free and does not use substitute medications to treat addiction.

An International Network Dedicated to Recovery

In more than 30 centers around the world, Narconon drug rehab centers provide a drug-free, holistic, long-term program that enables each person to address the harm they have suffered.

Drug abuse does physical, mental, and emotional harm, and addicts need help in each area. Because this program is also residential, those on the program have a chance to focus fully on their sober futures, away from drug-using friends. The program has no set time limit. What is important is that each person achieves the full benefit of each phase of this program.

This long-term program has a multi-faceted approach to the person’s drug problem. This program addresses not only the addiction itself but also the reasons the person started using drugs in the first place.

A Drug-Free Withdrawal Starts Each Person’s Recovery

While many people dread going through withdrawal, the Narconon program has an innovative way of easing a person’s path into sobriety. Around-the-clock support helps lessen the symptoms of withdrawal and keep the process tolerable. Vitamins and minerals calm the body and begin to restore the body’s strength and stamina. Gentle assists calm the body’s reaction to withdrawal. Special orienting exercises help a person focus on their current environment. With all this support, each person has a great start on a sober future.

As a note, before starting their withdrawal, each person must go through an assessment with a medical professional to ensure that they do not need a medically supervised withdrawal. When the physician determines that it is necessary, they will be referred to a medically supervised detoxification as a prerequisite to this program. This service is completed at a separate medical detoxification facility.

Flushing Out Old Drug Toxins to Resolve Cravings

After withdrawal, the first step of the Narconon program is the New Life Detoxification. This step uses time in a low-heat sauna to flush out the toxic residues left in the body after drug abuse. Time spent sweating in the sauna is combined with exercise to get the body’s circulation moving, along with taking a specific regimen of vitamins and minerals. This combination activates the body’s ability to eliminate old drug toxins.

The problem is that residues of these drugs can remain in the body for a very long time. These residues are made up of metabolites, chemicals produced as the body breaks down the addictive drugs. When these metabolites are flushed out of the body, a person in rehab can finally get relief from cravings. They can also begin to see things more clearly, without the influence of cannabis.

Regaining Clarity, Focus, and the Ability to Live in the Present

After months, years, or decades of addiction, it can be hard for an individual to fully engage with others and perceive the present environment. The solution to this difficulty is the step called Objectives. These guided exercises gradually reorient each person to the current physical environment and help them see the world with new eyes. Communication, self-control, and better perceptions are typical results. This is a big improvement for a person who may have been unable to control their decisions for as long as they were addicted.

Teaching Sober Living Skills for a Sober Future

The struggles, trauma, and pain of addiction take a toll on an addicted person. If a person had the skills to face challenges and setbacks, they might never have started using drugs. So it’s vital to help each person gain the critical sober-living skills they are going to need in the future. There are three parts to the life skills training:

• Overcoming Ups & Downs in Life: To stay sober, it’s necessary to know how to deal with people who might not want one to succeed. Drug dealers, criminals, and other drug-using “friends” may all fall into this category. It’s essential to be able to identify them and know how to keep oneself safe. These skills are taught on this step.
• Personal Values: An addicted person typically loses their self-respect. After all, they have spent months or years harming themselves and those they care about. Recovering their personal integrity is vital if they are to recover from the guilt they suffer. The Personal Values course shows each person how to get relief from their guilt and recover their own values in life.
• Changing Conditions in Life: If a person in rehab is going to be successful after rehab, they are going to have to make many sober decisions. They may have to rebuild relationships and make choices about their future. This course teaches the formulas each person can use to find success in the future.

We're here. We're ready to help you.
Call us at 1-800-737-5250 to get help now. or learn more about the Narconon Drug Rehabilitation Program

The Difference at a Narconon Drug Rehab

The Narconon program provides real rehabilitation, restoring the abilities the person lost while addicted. Finally, they can feel like themselves, like the person they were before they were a drug user. When family members arrive at a Narconon center for a loved one’s graduation, they often say that they finally have their loved one back again, the way they were before drugs changed them. The harm done by marijuana, heroin, alcohol, or other drugs does not have to be permanent.

This is not a 12-Step program. The lessons of this program do not include teaching that that they will “always be an addict" or that they are "helpless." Narconon doesn't use substitute drugs as part of getting someone off of drugs. Instead, the lessons teach that recovery from addiction is possible if they give this program their best effort. For nearly sixty years, this program has graduated more than 40,000 individuals all around the world.

When you care about someone who is struggling with addiction, learn more about this holistic and healthy way to recover. Call for a confidential conversation today.