Marijuana Addiction Treatment in Jacksonville: When Cannabis Use Becomes a Disorder

This page is general information, not medical advice. Please don’t stop or change any medication or substance without talking to a doctor first.

Can someone really get addicted to marijuana?

Yes. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says chronic, heavy use of cannabis products with THC, every day or almost every day, is linked to cannabis use disorder. NIDA says the strongest predictor is how often someone uses. Family history and how long a person has been using also play a role.

Products today vary a lot in strength, from flower to vapes, edibles and concentrates. That makes it harder to know how much THC someone is really taking.

Withdrawal: uncomfortable, and worth planning for

NIDA says a person may have withdrawal symptoms after stopping or sharply cutting back heavy or long-term cannabis use, even if they don’t have cannabis use disorder. NIDA lists symptoms such as anger, irritability, anxiety, restlessness, low appetite, depression, insomnia, strange dreams, headaches, sweating, stomach pain and tremor.

Cannabis withdrawal is not usually dangerous. But the irritability and poor sleep are often what pull people back to use. Knowing what to expect helps, and so does a doctor’s visit if your loved one has other health or mental health concerns.

Teens and young adults deserve special attention. The developing brain is more sensitive, and early help makes a difference. See our teen treatment guide.

Treatment options for cannabis use disorder

NIDA says there are currently no FDA-approved medications for cannabis use disorder or for withdrawal, though research is ongoing. NIDA says these behavioral treatments can be effective:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to spot triggers and build new habits
• Motivational enhancement therapy, a short, respectful approach that helps a person find their own reasons to change
• Contingency management, which offers small rewards for meeting goals

If anxiety, depression or another mental health condition is part of the picture, ask about dual diagnosis care.

If cannabis was recommended by a doctor

Some people use cannabis for a health reason, such as pain, sleep or anxiety. If that is your loved one, bring the recommending doctor into the conversation. Cutting back may mean finding another way to treat the original problem, and the doctor can help with that.

Talking about it without a fight

Many people who use marijuana every day don’t see it as a problem, and a lecture rarely changes that. Ask questions instead. “How is your sleep without it?” or “Have you tried taking a break?” can open a real talk. Our guide to talking to a loved one has more ideas.