In about 50-70% of cases, individuals with cannabis use disorder spend a significant amount of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of cannabis. The time spent on cannabis use becomes a dominant aspect of their lives, often at the expense of work, school, or family obligations. Cravings for cannabis are reported by 60-80% of people with cannabis use disorder. Cravings are strong urges to use cannabis, often triggered by environmental cues, stress, or emotions. These cravings can be difficult to resist and are a common reason for relapse after quitting.
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In addition to downregulation on CB1 receptor density, the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide is downregulated in striatal areas after repeated administration of THC in rodents100. Lower levels of anandamide have also been found in the cerebrospinal fluid of people who use cannabis101, although the activity of FAAH is lower in the brain of people who use cannabis102 (FIG. 4). The full effects of chronic cannabis exposure in the cannabinoid system have not yet been elucidated. In 1992, the lifetime risk of dependence among those who had ever tried cannabis was estimated at 9%, which was lower than the risks for tobacco (32%), heroin (23%), cocaine (17%) and alcohol (15%)30.
- This is likely due to the fact that marijuana, aka cannabis, can be used for medicinal reasons in some states, has milder withdrawal symptoms than other drugs, and has high social acceptance.
- This can create an unhealthy drive to seek more pleasure from marijuana and less from healthy experiences.
- This article will explore its risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic tests, medications, procedures, and self-care strategies.
- Society largely says cannabis is okay, it’s even becoming normal, but needing professional help for it?
Barriers to Treatment
- Marijuana is a mind-alerting substance that comes from the Cannabis sativa plant.
- Pharmacotherapy trials for CUD have investigated agonist-like medications that target the CB1 receptor (substitution therapies) such as dronabinol or nabiximols.
- In many states, it is now legal to use for adults, which can make it seem safer or more “normal” to teens.
Brief interventions and innovative digital health interventions are being tested to extend the reach and enhance the efficacy of interventions for adolescents with CUD223,224. Lower-risk cannabis use guidelines200 were endorsed by Canadian health organizations in 2017 as a source of information to the public and to health-care providers after the legalization of cannabis201. These guidelines comprise ten recommendations (BOX 4) that are similar to the low-risk guidelines developed for alcohol, nutrition or sexual behaviour. The guidelines assume that individuals who continue to use cannabis, despite advice to abstain, may be prepared to modify their use to minimize harms, including CUD. A diagnosis of CUD requires clinically significant impairment for a minimum period, usually 12 months (DSM-5, ICD-11) or 1 month if use has been daily or almost daily (ICD-11).
Psychiatric Comorbidity Risks
Adverse pharmacodynamic (between drugs with similar effects) and pharmacokinetic (between drugs that alter metabolic enzymes) interactions can complicate clinical presentation. THC is the chemical that makes people feel “high” when they use cannabis. It’s described as psychoactive because it changes how you think, feel, and experience things around you– and sometimes how you move. The impact THC has on your brain can make drug addiction treatment memory, coordination, and decision-making harder. THC is often used for medical reasons, but it’s important to use it carefully because of how it affects the brain. A significant number of people with bipolar disorder report using cannabis.
- A moderate disorder involves four to five symptoms, while six-plus symptoms means a severe disorder.
- Although regular cannabis use is still uncommon in older adults, data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 7% of those over 65 reported recent use in 2023, up from less than 5% in 2021.
- A new study finds that while severe childhood trauma often leads to early alcoholism, specific genetic variants are more closely linked to the disorder developing later in life.
Human laboratory studies have also tested medications that may reduce cannabis intake85. As an example, the CB1 receptor agonist nabilone reduces cannabis intake93, suggesting a possible therapeutic role for agonists in treating cannabis dependence. Quantity and frequency of dosing require further investigation, and this drug has not been approved for the treatment of CUD.
Cannabis Use Disorder: Symptoms, Types, Causes and Treatment
Psychosocial risk factors include social disadvantage, early onset behavioural difficulties and adverse peer affiliations, moving away from home, dropping out of education, behavioural deviance and acts of violence163. The number and type of negative life events are also independent predictors of CUD incidence164. CBD is a part of cannabis that doesn’t make you feel “high.” It doesn’t affect your brain the same way THC does. CBD is the part of cannabis that can cause things like relaxation, decreased stress, and sometimes even pain relief.
Around half now allow recreational use for adults and 40 states allow medical use. New Life House offers structured recovery and evidence-based guidance to help you regain control and build healthier habits. Patients may experience reduced anxiety and cravings within a few days to weeks of starting CBD, though individual results can vary. Unlike urine tests, which detect THC metabolites, blood tests measure active THC in the bloodstream. This test is typically used to assess recent cannabis use, as THC is quickly metabolized and may only be detectable cannabis use disorder in the blood for a few hours to days after use. Blood tests are often used in situations where recent impairment is a concern, such as in cases of suspected intoxication while driving.