Marijuana, Addiction, and Withdrawal: What’s it like?

July 17th, 2009 by Ilya Walker

by Ilya Walker

Marijuana addiction is a funny subject; funny in the sense that most users don’t consider it addictive, and even anti-drug groups do not really classify it as addictive in the same way they do other harder drugs, like cocaine. That being said though, a small percentage of users – some estimates put it at 10% of daily, heavy users – suffer from marijuana addiction.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be addicted to marijuana? What sort of experience is it and what is withdrawal? Let’s look at what the users themselves report.

The most common of all withdrawal experiences is described in many different words: anxiety, nervousness, grumpiness, and so on. In common words, the person is no fun to be around, will snap quite easily, and be very irritable. Marijuana addiction and withdrawal is no different, with many people reporting this exact experience upon cessation of use.

Beyond this condition, users report having problems sleeping, oversleeping, and having nightmare, feeling both hot and cold at once (similar to the flu). Bouts of sadness and feeling depressed is very common too. These are all classic withdrawal symptoms, but they too will pass.

On top of all this is the presence of an intense desire to use again. And this is the essence of addiction: an near overwhelming impulse to go and acquire the drug, and use again, despite the intention to do the exact opposite. Making it out through the withdrawal experience and past the initially overly strong desire to use again is the hardest part.

The good news is users report that after anywhere from just few days up to one or even two weeks, all these symptoms will recede into the background of everyday life and eventually go away entirely. That is, perhaps, with the exception of the desire to use again. Controlling that impulse is key to controlling addiction in the long run – which is a whole other subject!

About the Author:

Ilya Walker is a freelance writer for Marijuana Addiction Help. For more information and resources on marijuana addiction, take a few moments to view our online guide and get involved.