Am I Addicted to Weed?

If you find yourself planning on only smoking a small amount or ingesting a low dose yet you routinely go over that amount, it may indicate a developing addiction. When it comes to any addictive substance, lack of control over the amount is usually a pretty solid indicator.

If you then find yourself justifying your excessive use, that could be further evidence of a larger problem. Justifying behavior or actions that you know could be harmful to you is another common trait of substance use disorders.

If you find that more and more of your week is being taken up by either smoking weed or buying weed, then that could be another indication of a larger problem. This can be especially true if you are doing this instead of taking care of other obligations.

Additionally, if you are spending money that you may not have or that may have been earmarked for something else like food or bills, that could be another warning sign of addiction. People with addiction often prioritize time, money, and resources on their substance of choice, sacrificing more important things in the process.

People suffering from substance addiction often find that they can’t enjoy themselves unless they are using their preferred substance. This can apply to marijuana users too.

If you don’t feel like you can truly relax, have fun, or be yourself unless you are high, it could be an indicator that you have become psychologically dependent on the substance. Your brain is telling you that it needs the substance to function properly. This can become particularly indicative of addiction if you find yourself at the point where you actively avoid situations and settings where you can’t use weed.

A fairly common reason people smoke weed, both medically and recreationally, is to support good sleep. While it may initially work, long-term use of high doses of cannabis can actually do the opposite. Cannabis can disrupt REM cycles and make it harder to get enough quality rest. When the person decides to quit using cannabis, they may experience further sleep disturbances such as insomnia, vivid dreams, or restlessness.

Marijuana is known to increase appetite, dating back to its medicinal use in America as an appetite booster for cancer and AIDS patients. But long-term marijuana use may make it so a person only feels hungry when they’re high, leading them to become reliant on weed in order to be able to eat. Because weed also has stimulating effects, it may cause a person’s appetite to become lower in general. Depending on the person, they may develop an eating disorder such as binge eating disorder.

Another possible sign that your relationship with weed has become dangerous is if you find yourself downplaying or lying about your marijuana use to those around you. Lying about substance use is often a sign of denial or guilt, which may indicate a problem. If you find yourself making excuses or hiding how often you smoke, it could be a sign of a larger issue.

Marijuana withdrawal symptoms can include irritability, anxiety, feelings of depression, restlessness, sleep disturbances, and cravings for weed. If you feel noticeably worse when you stop using, it’s a clear sign that your body has developed a dependence.

Long-term marijuana use can affect the brain’s ability to regulate emotions naturally, which can cause significant psychological issues like mood swings or emotional instability over time.

Having your day revolve around a substance of any kind (instead of the other way around) is a common sign of addiction. For example, if you’re skipping work, school, or social gatherings because you’d rather be getting high, this could indicate that marijuana is taking priority over important aspects of your life. Do you plan out your day based on when you can smoke? If so, it may be a sign of a larger issue.

If you find yourself losing interest in previously enjoyed activities, or deciding to get high instead of doing those activities, you may be suffering from an addiction. Someone suffering from a substance use disorder will often make using their substance their number one priority, throwing away previous activities and hobbies that brought them joy.

Struggling to keep up with work, school, or household responsibilities because of weed use can be another indicator of addiction. If you find yourself prioritizing using marijuana over essential tasks, it’s worth considering if it has too much control over your life.

Using marijuana in situations where it could put you or others in danger, such as driving under the influence, is another major red flag. If you take these risks regularly (or are willing to make them), it could mean that your weed use has become an addiction.

Have you (for whatever reason) made an effort to cut back on or quit smoking weed only to find it difficult? This is a common red flag indicating that your body and brain have become physically dependent on weed and won’t “let” you quit.

If you continue smoking and using marijuana despite all these issues, your relationship with marijuana has become unhealthy. It means that you have chosen to use weed despite the fact that you know it is directly leading to these issues