Addicted to Marijuana?

[Jonathan117]

My brother says that you can not get Physically addicted to marijuana, But you can get Mentally Addicted(like you don't need it in your mind you want it). Is this true, or does he just want a friend to smoke with. He knows I get panic attacks, and if I get worried about acting like some meth heads ill tell my mom. I have smoked 3 times and gotten high twice. I want to know if I need to quit now or if its fine to do it, for fun. By the way, I want to get high but its not killing me to do something bad for money.,,,,,,,,,Thanks For All The Help! :)

[Clawhammer]

Dude, as a nicotine addict, I can tell you that mental and physical addictions are the same. Your mind tells your body, your body tells your mind. Yes, you can get addicted to pot, I've seen it happen. Why do you feel the need to smoke pot? If you have a genuine good reason, go for it, if not, don't be stupid and waste your resources on it.

[Jonathan117]

Dude, as a nicotine addict, I can tell you that mental and physical addictions are the same. Your mind tells your body, your body tells your mind. Yes, you can get addicted to pot, I've seen it happen. Why do you feel the need to smoke pot? If you have a genuine good reason, go for it, if not, don't be stupid and waste your resources on it.

I do it to relieve stress. Helps me not cut myself. But thanks that makes sense.:yes:

[AppealToReason]

Your brother is right. You'll only get mentally addicted, but the amount that do are small, so continue smoking if you want. Just control yourself.

[CJM123]

just don't do it!

[Clawhammer]

I do it to relieve stress. Helps me not cut myself. But thanks that makes sense.:yes:

As good a reason to as any, I reckon, but I'll give you some advice there. Don't depend on it to make all the bad things in life go away, that road is gonna lead you straight into a dead end. As temporary help? Sure, why not. But don't go beyond that and stay in that spot forever, keep going on past it, and trust me, you'll be the better man for it.

[ImCoolBeans]

Not all marijuana smokers become psychologically addicted, and to get to that point you generally have to be a habitual smoker - somebody who does it consistently.

[aperson444]

Physical addiction is a lot worse than psychological, but some people have such strong egos or senses of self that psychological addiction can be quite severe. There is no good chemical pathway for marijuana addiction. There is one for tolerance (CB receptor downregulation, I think). I find that people who get psychologically dependent on cannabis are people who use it in a very dangerous manner with a very dangerous mindset. If you use it as a 100% escape rather than a temporary relaxant, it is quite likely that it's going to have some dependence-like effect. Some people have trouble with impulse control and willpower. That's why it's generally more advisable to look at maturity rather than age when it comes to weed. For some reason, anti-drug sources like to overemphasize how addictive marijuana is. Personally, I've had a very big caffeine problem, but through all the many times that I smoked every day or every week, I have never found it difficult to stop. At the same time, I am an absolute fiend for caffeine. I will snort it, smoke it, and if I get a needle, I will inject it, because feeling out of energy is total shit to me. I hate it. Yet when you tell a professional you're addicted to caffeine, they laugh and tell you to wean yourself off. Then they slap you with "cannabis dependency" even when you've said repeatedly that you have no trouble stopping and you have done so many times and that your real problem is dealing with a stimulant that won't cause absolutely dreadful days without it. Sorry, little rant there.

Anyways, the DSM-IV criteria for addiction/dependence are:

"Tolerance (marked increase in amount; marked decrease in effect)


Characteristic withdrawal symptoms; substance taken to relieve withdrawal


Substance taken in larger amount and for longer period than intended


Persistent desire or repeated unsuccessful attempt to quit


Much time/activity to obtain, use, recover*


Important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced


Use continues despite knowledge of adverse consequences (e.g., failure to fulfill role obligation, use when physically hazardous)*"


You need three or more of those to qualify for dependence.

For "abuse":

"Recurrent use resulting in failure to fulfill major role obligation at work, home or school

Recurrent use in physically hazardous situations

Recurrent substance related legal problems


Continued use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by substance"

You need one or more.

[Truth]

Some people with a weak will and a addictive personality can become psychologically addicted and start to think he needs weed. Does he really? Not one bit! It's no different than someone addicted to WoW.

Also, to whoever said I'm "talking out of my ass", get over yourself.

[ShredtheGnar]

Dude, as a nicotine addict, I can tell you that mental and physical addictions are the same. Your mind tells your body, your body tells your mind. Yes, you can get addicted to pot, I've seen it happen. Why do you feel the need to smoke pot? If you have a genuine good reason, go for it, if not, don't be stupid and waste your resources on it.

It's a want less of a need. The only need I've ever gotten was to smoke a little bit to get to sleep when there's a lot on my mind. Then again, everyone's different.