Are you addicted to marijuana?

k-town said:

Yes I'm addicted to marijuana, why else would I be on this site

Peace
K-town

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I confess, I am very much "psychologically" addicted.

psychological addiction can produce physical affects . . . . so essentially it is addiction?

i am very phyisicaly and mentally addicted to weed. when i dont have it i go threw withdrawls lol

My entire point was it's ALL in the psyche. By medicinal terms "needs".....I am a prime candidate for its use.
I've always loved MJ....just never to the point where it controlled my life.
I now have choices between "it" and man-made pharmaceuticals that REALLY WOULD put me on my ass. It's not rocket science why I would opt for something natural.....minus the hideous side-effects.

Babs34 said:

My entire point was it's ALL in the psyche. By medicinal terms "needs".....I am a prime candidate for its use.
I've always loved MJ....just never to the point where it controlled my life.
I now have choices between "it" and man-made pharmaceuticals that REALLY WOULD put me on my ass. It's not rocket science why I would opt for something natural.....minus the hideous side-effects.

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Right on! I totally agree. I think there's a difference between physical addiction and habituating behaviour, i.e. missing a really really awesome experience that feels right.

The withdrawal effects of MJ that people have described can be applied even to things that are not drugs, like, going to the beach. I'm sure if I didn't go to the beach for a year, I'd feel irritable, and this could even mess with my thoughts and sleep for a little while, but these are so simple to overcome with some breathing and concentration exercises, meditation and yoga.

Generally speaking (and yes, this is a generalisation) when we get into the habit of doing something we enjoy, if done regularly, we tend to assimilate it as a "need" because it enhances our life experience. This is much more the case in modern times in which, let's face it, so many things about the world are fucked up and distorted. It seems natural that we do more of the things we love and less of the things we hate.

Tobacco, however, is a major commodity today and the aggressive chemicals used in cigarette production to establish true "chemical addiction" are what will sell cigarettes even to those who hate it, and even if it kills them. This is not the case with (organic) MJ, and the research speaks for itself.

I feel that in discussions like this we often take for granted the context of drug use. Initially, all drugs offer a temporary escape for our reality. But what if that reality was different. What if it was awesome and full of natural highs??? I think we would then be in a better position to understand what drives habits and what causes chemical addictions.

Just my two cents.

And yes... I am high
Light up

marijuana is not. and never will be a physically addictive substance.. the "withdrawal symptoms" that the op posted can also be applied to caffiene, sugar, chocolate.. etc.. does this mean that chocolate is physically addictive? of course not.. the withdrawal symptoms that the op stated have more to do with the mind than anykind of physical withdrawal.. i have stopped smoking pot many times, including right now.. i haven't smoked in over a month, not by choice, but by circumstance.. i do feel like smoking everyday, but i have yet to have the cold sweats, naseau, vomitting, diarhea or any other flu like symptoms that come along with a truely physical addictive drug like any kind of opiates, benzodiazapenes, and alcohol..
and let me state that i have a HIGHLY addictive personality, and have been addicted to many drugs in my past, but marijuana will never be one of them as it is impossible to get physically addicted to marijuana.. mentally addicted? well, that is a completely different story.. but like someone else said.. you can get addicted to any activity that produces feelings of euphoria.. going to the beach, having sex, gambling, picking up girls, guys, bowling, eating... the list goes on and on... and while all of these things can be mentally addicting, they will never produce any kind of physical withdrawal symptoms if you stopped doing them cold turkey..
oh well.. don't want to go on and on, but marijuana is not physically addictive... very possibly mentally so depending on the person, but that is where it ends..
nice thread though

In short... NO... To make a long story short it isn't addictive peoples personalities are. People are idiots and go no were in life because they choose to do so. To start I have a 4 year degree I served in the Army as infantry with one tour of Iraq. I have a great job that pays me well and a family that I love and love me back. So I see so patronizing in your speech and think that you are trying to say that people smoke pot because we are stupid. Well ser at least I'm not addicted to pills, cigarettes, and Alcohol. However I do drink a good couple of beers every night because I am American and will do whatever the fuck I want.

.

pOt MaIk YoU sToOpId said:

[FONT=verdana, geneva, helvetica]Long-term marijuana use can lead to addiction for some people; that is, they use the drug compulsively even though it often interferes with family, school, work, and recreational activities.[/FONT]

[FONT=verdana, geneva, helvetica]Along with craving, withdrawal symptoms can make it hard for long-term marijuana smokers to stop using the drug. People trying to quit report irritability, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety.They also display increased aggression on psychological tests, peaking approximately 1 week after they last used the drug.[/FONT]

[FONT=verdana, geneva, helvetica]Would you be able to stop smoking weed if you tried?[/FONT]

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pOt MaIk YoU sToOpId said:

[FONT=verdana, geneva, helvetica]Long-term marijuana use can lead to addiction for some people; that is, they use the drug compulsively even though it often interferes with family, school, work, and recreational activities.

[/FONT][FONT=verdana, geneva, helvetica]Along with craving, withdrawal symptoms can make it hard for long-term marijuana smokers to stop using the drug. People trying to quit report irritability, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety.They also display increased aggression on psychological tests, peaking approximately 1 week after they last used the drug.

Would you be able to stop smoking weed if you tried?
[/FONT]

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a good read , i to show all those symptoms when i stop for a while , thing is if you dont, you build an immune system up to it and it affects you less , i can smoke 5-6 jays a night , but after a lay off period 2 cuts it - i will say tho my partner hates me when i stop bless her , & i quote "you act like an arrogant fukkhead!!" lol - can a girl be wrong ??? dont tell her i said so - peace good stuff -

As much as i love getting high but to be honest..i feel as if it makes me stupid.
I just dont have the drive or want to do things when im high.
For me it also fucks with my social life, i stumble with my words, i cant remember what i did a fucking day ago without thinking hard about it.
It got to the point where i was constantly WANTING to be high..not NEEDING like withdrawls or anything.
It may not have any adverse effects on my school work, but it sure made it a hell of alot harder to motivate myself to do it.

All in all, these are just personal experiences.
For some, weed can be "addicting" and control their life, even though they might not know it.
But for others, the effects may enhance their personal life or give them motivation.
Its all individual..

Dont get me wrong, i still smoke around once a week, i just feel over doing it definatly dampers my quality of life

I have used cannabis heavily for quite a number of years and I can stop and start any time. I do understand some people are addicted but I find it's quite a small minority of smokers who have been smoking from such a young age become addicted. I recently saw a test in the uk on mice, it was the test of younger mice given thc from a young age and then a test on mice whom have been given cannabis from been a mature age.

There was a test on mice who where put into water to find there way back to the stand in the water which the mice could swim to and be safe, the results showed that nearly all of the younger mich who where give thc from a young age couldn't find there way to the stand and the adult/mature mice whom where given thc from an older age and most found there way found there way to the stand safely.

So in respect to the tests, I do find that people who are exposed to cannabis from a young age maybe have an increased chance of addiction, whilst a more "mature" person could not be effect as much if all if cannabis was consumed from an older age. This is one of the other reasons whilst I think the regulation of cannabis should introduced nationwide, stop the younger generation from be so exposed to it.

If it's regulated then the sale of cannabis would make it a lot harder for the younger people to get there hands on it, as you wil find that most younger people will find that it is easier to get a hold of cannabis than to buy alcohol.

Now alcohol is legal and marijuana is illegal and most younger people find it easier to get marijuana, if the goverment regulated, taxed it and put an age on it then it would possibly lower the amount of marijuana smokers, now there is still going to be some however it should decrease. (Sorry rant over)

I find if we can stop cannabis use under 18 and allow the sale of cannabis to 18 year old but you must look 21 to buy the cannabis if not ID will be required for sale of cannabis I think would be the best policy.

pOt MaIk YoU sToOpId said:

[FONT=verdana, geneva, helvetica]Long-term marijuana use can lead to addiction for some people; that is, they use the drug compulsively even though it often interferes with family, school, work, and recreational activities.

[/FONT][FONT=verdana, geneva, helvetica]Along with craving, withdrawal symptoms can make it hard for long-term marijuana smokers to stop using the drug. People trying to quit report irritability, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety.They also display increased aggression on psychological tests, peaking approximately 1 week after they last used the drug.

Would you be able to stop smoking weed if you tried?
[/FONT]

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well first off marijuana in no way is physically addictive...not even close...like others have said it is physiologically how ever.. u WANT to be stoned but u don't have to be...unlike cigarettes.. it just depends on the person... how "addictive" is it really? everyones different honestly its not for everyone...but the ones who can and do use it.. ive definitly agreed that even though it isnt physically addictive it still helps people get through things

i just read an article by CBC,,Canadian eh! that suggests less than 10 percent of people who try it become addicted

poplars said:

look buddy just because you don't get withdrawal symtoms, and the majority of people don't get withdrawal symtoms, doesn't mean they don't EXIST.

I get withdrawal symtoms, nothing that could actually stop me from quitting if I didn't have a constant supply, but enough to stop me from quitting when I have a decent supply.

the withdrawals are very real, nothing major they can range from slight twitchiness/hyperactivity, slight lack of apetite, and this general feeling kind of like a coffee buzz but you're uncomfortable.

I don't know if you've had access to enough weed to reach the point of withdrawal symtoms as I have, but they do happen with certain types of people, and I'm not going to let you just say they don't ever happen because they DO.

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man, those are my withdrawal symptons down to a tee, i'm so hyper the first few days and can't sleep for shit. i went through a stage of waking up in the middle of the night, smoke a few cones and going back to sleep(waste of weed i know) i lost my job abruptly therefore no more ganj, so i'd wake up in the middle of the night without any weed and just lay there till sun up for about a week but after that it was a walk in the park haha

Im an alcoholic, I have been dry for 8 years.
I spent 3 years on pain killers due to an injury and i'd say that I had an addiction to them. So I stay away now.
I smoke herb daily, dont touch any other "drugs", including pain killers of any type.

The withdrawals from pain killers and from alcohol sucked. Not gonna lie, I had a hard time. I have an addictive personality. It's on me, not on the substance.
I've had to stop smoking pot a few times and it wasnt a problem for me.

I am addicted because I am bi-polar and a complete sensitive moron. Plenty of personal issues that keep me smoking. I would love to stop even for a few days just so my metabolism can lower and I can get higher easily, but really it would drive me, the wife and kids insane.

Originally Posted by poplars
look buddy just because you don't get withdrawal symtoms, and the majority of people don't get withdrawal symtoms, doesn't mean they don't EXIST.

I get withdrawal symtoms, nothing that could actually stop me from quitting if I didn't have a constant supply, but enough to stop me from quitting when I have a decent supply.

the withdrawals are very real, nothing major they can range from slight twitchiness/hyperactivity, slight lack of apetite, and this general feeling kind of like a coffee buzz but you're uncomfortable.

I don't know if you've had access to enough weed to reach the point of withdrawal symtoms as I have, but they do happen with certain types of people, and I'm not going to let you just say they don't ever happen because they DO.
man, those are my withdrawal symptons down to a tee, i'm so hyper the first few days and can't sleep for shit. i went through a stage of waking up in the middle of the night, smoke a few cones and going back to sleep(waste of weed i know) i lost my job abruptly therefore no more ganj, so i'd wake up in the middle of the night without any weed and just lay there till sun up for about a week but after that it was a walk in the park haha

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Glad to see i am not alone in these symptoms. I also have an addictive personality.. I stopped completely yesterday because i ran out of good bud..knew i was going to but i wasnt quite prepared apparently. Reason for quitting is i'm considering joining either the air force or the navy(seals), more reasons behind that; getting out my current location because it's so mundane and boring not to mention i can't stand the type of people here. I also detest the fact that even if i went to college for another 2 or 3 yrs for a bachelors in computer science, i'd be stuck behind a fucking desk in a cubicle. I wasn't made to sit around, i feel like i have to be active constantly. Deciphering code is not something i want to do for 30 years before retirement. Bear Grylls has my dream job basically, except i wouldn't have a t.v. show and all that. Anyways, back to withdrawal symptoms.. i can't sleep right now. 3:30am.. how does one induce sleep when you feel so restless? besides popping a pill or smoking herb. DAMNIT I MISS THE HERB and its only been a little more than a day. To add on to the symptoms there is agitation for me, roadrage like a mofo too..people can't drive for shit in the south. the small things in life will be pissing me off for the next week most likely

i dont think i can honestly [its not addicting the psychical sense but it is in the mental senseeee you know]

virual blazer said:

i dont think i can honestly [its not addicting the psychical sense but it is in the mental senseeee you know]

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it causes a physiological change . . . therefore in SOME way if it causes a physiological change in a positive way, it will become an addictive action.

and the dependence syndrome is basically what's happening here.

cannabis produces a certain reaciton through the cannabinoid receptors, you do this for so long that your body becomes used to such a reaction.

which is why there's coldsweats without cannabis, because cannabis usually heats up your body temperature slightly.

and that's why you're more hyperactive without it, your state of mind is toned down to a more relaxed state on cannabis (unless you're smoking heavy sativa.)

so it's essentially your body becoming so used to cannabis it wants it all the time.

poplars said:

it causes a physiological change . . . therefore in SOME way if it causes a physiological change in a positive way, it will become an addictive action.

and the dependence syndrome is basically what's happening here.

cannabis produces a certain reaciton through the cannabinoid receptors, you do this for so long that your body becomes used to such a reaction.

which is why there's coldsweats without cannabis, because cannabis usually heats up your body temperature slightly.

and that's why you're more hyperactive without it, your state of mind is toned down to a more relaxed state on cannabis (unless you're smoking heavy sativa.)

so it's essentially your body becoming so used to cannabis it wants it all the time.

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You (and many other people that have posted) have no idea what addiction is. You are not addicted if you have trouble sleeping or are irritable after cessation of cannabis consumption. Addiction has to do with continued use despite negative / detrimental consequences.

Just because you have withdrawal symptoms does not make you addicted to something.

You should see a Dr. about your mental issues if you had not done so already. I have a dear friend who self medicated his depression with cannabis without telling his Dr. for years. Only after he went full manic then a immediate shift to deep depression was he finally accurately diagnosed as being bi-polar.

tnrtinr said:

You (and many other people that have posted) have no idea what addiction is. You are not addicted if you have trouble sleeping or are irritable after cessation of cannabis consumption. Addiction has to do with continued use despite negative / detrimental consequences.

Just because you have withdrawal symptoms does not make you addicted to something.

You should see a Dr. about your mental issues if you had not done so already. I have a dear friend who self medicated his depression with cannabis without telling his Dr. for years. Only after he went full manic then a immediate shift to deep depression was he finally accurately diagnosed as being bi-polar.

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hah mental issues?

are you following me or something? do you have some sort of infatuation with my posts and have a constant hard-on to prove me wrong?

ok so I didn't describe addiction, I described a DEPENDENCE SYNDROME.

and as far as your statements about my mental issues, that's pretty presumptuous of you isn't it?