When Megan Feller was smoking pot several times a day, she could not eat, sleep or function without it. Cannabis addiction had taken hold of her life. Yet she never thought to ask for help.

“I didn’t think cannabis was a big deal,” the 24-year-old said. “It was really socially accepted.”

She is far from alone. Marijuana legalisation is spreading across the United States. As it does, a serious public health problem grows in its shadow. Cannabis addiction is rising. The very culture of acceptance surrounding the drug makes it harder for people to spot the warning signs and seek treatment.

The Scale of Cannabis Addiction

The numbers tell a striking story. Nearly 18 million Americans reported in 2022 that they use marijuana every day or near enough. That is up from fewer than one million three decades earlier, according to a federally supported survey. Daily cannabis use has even outpaced daily drinking among young adults.

Studies show a corresponding surge in cannabis use disorder. It is a condition defined by persistent cravings and continued use despite serious consequences at home, at work or in relationships. Researchers estimate it affects roughly three in ten regular users. And contrary to what many people believe, it is a genuine addiction.

“It’s an addiction, despite the common misconception that that’s not possible with marijuana,” said Dr Smita Das, an addiction psychiatrist at Stanford University.

Why Fewer People Are Getting Help

Even as cannabis addiction rises, fewer people seek treatment for it. A study by researcher Brian Graves and colleagues at Florida Atlantic University found that the share of cannabis use disorder patients receiving treatment dropped from 19% in 2003 to 13% in 2019. Expanding legalisation and increasingly tolerant public attitudes drove much of that decline.

The barrier is largely one of perception. Cannabis has become so normalised that many who struggle with it do not feel their situation warrants professional support.

“There’s this pervasive belief that you can’t become addicted, it can’t actually be a problem,” said Dr Jennifer Exo of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in Minnesota. “It has to do with this myth that cannabis is safe, natural and benign.”

That myth, however well-intentioned, causes real harm.

Today’s Cannabis Is Stronger Than Ever

Cannabis itself has changed dramatically. In the 1960s, most marijuana contained less than 5% THC, the compound that produces a high. Today, THC potency in cannabis flower and concentrates sold in dispensaries can reach 40% or higher, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Many people recall older relatives who, as Exo put it, “smoked a few doobies and ate some food and fell asleep.” That picture is outdated. Teenagers today vape potent cannabis concentrates. They are not sharing a joint or eating a homemade brownie. The products are stronger, more discreet and more accessible than ever.

As of mid-2024, 24 states permit recreational cannabis use and 40 allow medical use. Dispensaries are widespread. Heavy or frequent use links to problems with memory, learning and attention. It also causes chronic nausea, vomiting and lung damage in those who smoke. Some research suggests it may trigger earlier onset of psychosis in people with a genetic predisposition to conditions such as schizophrenia.

Cannabis Addiction and Rising ER Visits

Greater access to cannabis shows up in hospital data. Research links recreational marijuana legalisation to more emergency room visits for acute cannabis intoxication. Patients arrive with rapid heartbeats, dizziness, confusion or paranoia.

A study focused on Michigan found that legalisation brought an immediate rise in ER visits across all age groups. Middle-aged adults were particularly affected. Edibles such as gummies pose a specific risk. They take time to kick in. People take more because they feel nothing yet. Then the full dose hits at once.

“Then, suddenly, they’re suffering from cannabis toxicity,” said Dr Das.

One Person’s Struggle with Cannabis Use Disorder

Megan Feller first tried cannabis at 16. She quickly moved from smoking to vape cartridges that were easy to hide. Within a short time, she could barely function without it.

“I would wake up every morning for years, and until I smoked weed, I would throw up,” she said. She was not chasing a high. She used it to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay.

After her mother died, her substance use worsened. She entered treatment for alcohol at 22 and got sober. But she kept using cannabis on and off. She only sought help for her cannabis use disorder later. That decision changed everything. She has now been sober from marijuana for almost a year.

“I’m so much happier now,” she said. “I don’t feel, like, shackled to a substance.”

She wants others to hear what she learned. “If you’re changing your life because of weed, there might be an issue. There are resources to get help and you are not alone.”

What Needs to Change

Experts call for open public conversations about the risks. This matters especially for young people who are starting to use cannabis regularly.

“Another important piece is helping people understand the risk before they start,” said Dr Exo, “and then to feel safe enough to say, ‘Hey, I need help managing this.'”

Like alcohol, cannabis can be misused. Honest discussions about its risks are essential. People who develop cannabis addiction need to feel confident asking for support. The sooner they do, the better their chances of recovery.

Source: milwaukeeindependent