What Are the Signs of Edible Addiction?
It’s a popular drug that is used by millions of Americans and has become more available due to changing state medicinal and recreational laws, but that doesn’t mean that marijuana is a risk-free substance. If you’re wondering are edibles addictive, contrary to popular belief, the various forms of marijuana can indeed be addictive, and a surprising number of people who regularly take this drug would fit the criteria of having what’s known as marijuana use disorder. It’s essential to understand the risks of this drug and the warning signs of addiction to watch out for in yourself or a loved one that could indicate it’s time to get professional help.
Table of contents
» How Do You Know If You’re Dependent on THC Edibles?
» What Behavioral Changes Indicate Edible Addiction?
» Can Edibles Cause Physical Withdrawal Symptoms?
» How Is Edible Addiction Treated in Rehab?
» Key Takeaways on Are Edibles Addictive
» Resources
How Do You Know If You’re Dependent on THC Edibles?
There are many common questions people might have about marijuana and its risks, such as are edibles as bad for your liver as alcohol, and are edibles addictive. Cannabis edibles can come in many forms, such as gummies, cookies or other baked goods, mints, chocolates, and even beverages. No matter the form, they are infused with a dosage of active cannabinoids, or the substance in marijuana that causes effects, such as THC and CBD.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 3 in 10 people who use marijuana have cannabis use disorder, and people who use this drug have about a 30 percent chance of becoming addicted themselves. The risk can be higher among certain people, especially among people who more frequently use the drug or start using it when they’re teenagers or young adults.
There are several possible warning signs of cannabis use disorder, including:
- Unsuccessfully trying to quit using the drug
- Using more marijuana than they originally intended
- Experiencing strong urges and cravings to use the drug
- Continuing to use the drug even though they know it’s causing them problems at work, home, or school, or in their social relationships.
- Isolating and withdrawing from activities, places, and people that once brought them joy.
- Developing a tolerance, or needing to take more of the drug to feel the same effects.
- Using the drug in risky ways, such as driving while intoxicated
- Starting to suffer physical or mental health problems from the drug, but continuing to use it anyway.
Another sign that someone might be dependent on edibles or other forms of marijuana is that they spend an increasing amount of time thinking about, trying to acquire, or using the drug, as well as recovering from the effects of using marijuana. One more thing to watch out for is if they suffer withdrawal symptoms if they don’t use the drug, which is a major red flag that indicates addiction is a problem for the person.
What Behavioral Changes Indicate Edible Addiction?
So, are edibles addictive? Yes, even marijuana-infused food and beverage products like sodas, seltzers, gummies, chocolates, cookies, and mints can still be just as addictive as other forms of the drug, such as smoking rolled joints or using a vaporizer that contains a THC and CBD-infused oil.
Research has shown that long-term and heavy use of marijuana can change how the brain is wired, which can play out as psychological problems and predispositions to continue using more of the drug that can take a long time to correct once the drug is quit. If you’re wondering about behavioral changes that could indicate addiction to edibles or marijuana, several things are likely:
- Isolating from friends and family
- Worsening performance at work or school due to drug use
- No longer taking part in activities or visiting places or people that they used to enjoy doing or seeing.
- Relationship problems, strained friendships, and romantic partnerships
- Worsening anxiety or depression
Can Edibles Cause Physical Withdrawal Symptoms?
If someone is addicted to edibles or other forms of marijuana, they can suffer from mental and physical withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly quit or no longer have access to the drug. It’s important to know about the risks of withdrawal because it can be a big part of the reason why drug addicts relapse, and can push people to make bad decisions to try to feel better again and no longer suffer from withdrawal symptoms.
Cannabis withdrawal symptoms can manifest as minor to severe mental and physical problems. Mental and psychological symptoms can include:
- Mood swings or rapid mood changes
- Feeling irritated or unable to concentrate
- Strong cravings to use marijuana
- Worsening depression or anxiety
Physical symptoms of marijuana withdrawal can include things like:
- Appetite loss
- Insomnia and other sleep problems
- Headaches
- Chills or cold sweats
- Upset stomach and other stomach problems
Withdrawal typically takes a day or a few days to start with noticeable symptoms. People who have used cannabis for an extended period of time, as well as those who were using larger amounts, are more likely to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. While cannabis withdrawal isn’t dangerous, it can be extremely uncomfortable and distressing, making people feel awful, sick, and unable to focus on anything else for a period of time until the symptoms start to improve.
Not everyone will suffer from withdrawal when they quit using marijuana, though it is more common than might be expected. One study of 23,000 people found a prevalence of cannabis withdrawal symptoms of 47 percent. Another study, this time conducted by the University of Michigan Medicine Department of Psychiatry, found 59 percent of people who were using medical cannabis to help with chronic pain suffered from moderate or even severe withdrawal if they quit using the drug for a period of hours or days.
Withdrawal will typically start to lessen and symptoms will go away after a period of about one to two weeks after the drug is quit, so it’s a short period of time that people need to get through to overcome this obstacle to quitting.
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How Is Edible Addiction Treated in Rehab?
Are edibles addictive? Yes. The good news is drug and alcohol rehabs offer comprehensive treatment options that can help people overcome edible addiction and learn to embrace a better future without drugs. Individual and group therapy are foundational pillars of drug rehab programs, assisting patients to identify, change, and improve flawed behaviors and ways of thinking about the world that are keeping them stuck in the cycle of addiction.
In addition to therapy, life skills training, such as relapse prevention and vocational skills, can help give people more guidance as they start their new chapter after addiction and be ready to take on the daily challenges of life without turning to drugs.
Key Takeaways on Are Edibles Addictive
- As many as 3 in 10 people who use cannabis would meet the diagnostic criteria for cannabis use disorder.
- Are edibles addictive? Yes, all forms of marijuana – whether it’s edibles, smoked leaves and flowers, or vaporized infused oil – can be addictive.
- Cannabis use disorder symptoms include isolating from loved ones, spending more time using or recovering from the drug, and being unable to quit taking the drug successfully.
- Some studies have indicated that more than half of users could suffer from minor to severe withdrawal symptoms when they quit using marijuana.
- Drug rehab programs can help people get through withdrawal and embrace a new future without drugs.
Cannabis use disorder is far more common than might be expected, but WhiteSands Treatment can help. Call us at 877-855-3470 to learn how our comprehensive programs and compassionate experts can help you or your loved one achieve better health.
Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Understanding Your Risk for Cannabis Use Disorder
- National Library of Medicine – Cannabis Use Disorder
- Healthline – What to Expect from Marijuana Withdrawal
- University of Michigan Medicine Department of Psychiatry – Weed Withdrawal: More Than Half of People Using Medical Cannabis for Pain Experience Withdrawal Symptoms
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
