Addiction is a tricky thing. It doesn’t only happen with “bad” substances, like alcohol or hard drugs. People can develop addictions to all sorts of activities and things that make them feel good, such as social media, video games, and even shopping. This process—getting hooked on something that rewards us with a burst of pleasure—is not unique to any one substance or behavior.
Cannabis, with its calming and mood-lifting effects, fits right into this category. While it’s often seen as a safer option compared to things like opioids or benzodiazepines, it can still lead to dependence and addiction if not managed responsibly. In this article, we’ll explore how addiction occurs, not just with cannabis but with many things we enjoy. We’ll also talk about how to manage cannabis use in a way that helps prevent these issues from taking over your life.
Addiction: How It Works in the Brain
To understand cannabis addiction, it helps to know a bit about how addiction works in general. Whether it’s scrolling through social media, playing video games, eating, or using a substance like cannabis, the brain rewards us when we do something that feels good. This reward usually comes in the form of a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine is often called the “feel-good” chemical because it creates a sense of pleasure and satisfaction.
When we engage in activities or take substances that trigger a large release of dopamine, the brain starts associating those activities or substances with feeling good. This is where things can start to get tricky. Over time, the brain can begin to expect or even crave these dopamine boosts, leading to behaviors that look a lot like addiction. This is true for a range of pleasurable activities, not just drug use. In fact, you can develop an addiction to:
Social media: Constantly checking notifications or scrolling for likes and comments can be addictive.
Video games: Gaming stimulates the brain’s reward system, and the excitement of leveling up or achieving a high score can become addictive.
Sex: The pleasure and emotional connection from sexual activity can also become a source of addiction for some people.
Shopping: The thrill of buying something new can lead to compulsive spending habits.
Alcohol: Drinking to excess is a problem for over 29 million people in the US alone. Despite the noticeable impact on their physical and mental health, many people continue to drink excessively because they find pleasure and escape in its effects.
Gambling: The thrill of random rewards can be a powerful attractant. If you win a thousand dollars for every 5 thousand you lose gambling, you feel like a winner. The gambling industry knows this all too well and exploits our vulnerabilities daily for great rewards.
Medications: Prescription drugs like opioids (for pain) or benzodiazepines (for anxiety) can be especially addictive due to their strong effects on the brain’s reward system. Couple this with the narrow margin of safety; this dependence often ends in disaster.
In all these cases, what starts as something fun or helpful can become a problem when it’s no longer about pleasure but about avoiding discomfort or withdrawal. Cannabis is no different.
How Cannabis Addiction Can Occur
Cannabis works on the brain in a similar way to other addictive substances. The main psychoactive compound in cannabis is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which binds to receptors in the brain’s endocannabinoid system. This system helps regulate mood, memory, appetite, and other functions. When you use cannabis, THC interacts with this system, leading to feelings of relaxation, euphoria, or even relief from pain.
Just like with other rewarding behaviors, the more you use cannabis, the more your brain starts to expect and crave the effects. Over time, you may develop tolerance, meaning you need more cannabis to achieve the same high or relief. Eventually, this can lead to dependence, where your brain and body have adapted to the regular presence of THC. When you try to stop using, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, sleep problems, and cravings.
While not everyone who uses cannabis will become addicted, around 9% of users do develop a dependency. This number jumps to about 17% for people who start using cannabis in their teens. Much like other addictions, cannabis addiction isn’t about the substance being inherently “bad”; it’s about how it’s used, how often it’s used, and whether it’s used responsibly.
Managing Cannabis Use: Learning from Other Addictions
The key to preventing or managing cannabis addiction is similar to how people manage any other potentially addictive behavior or substance: by developing responsible practices. Here are some principles that apply to cannabis as well as other activities that can become addictive.
- Set Boundaries and Stick to Them
Just like with social media or gaming, it’s important to set limits on cannabis use. This might mean only using cannabis at certain times of day, in specific situations, or for certain purposes. For example, if you’re using cannabis medically, it’s essential to follow your doctor’s recommendations for dosage and frequency. Setting clear boundaries helps keep use under control and prevents it from taking over your life.
- Be Aware of Your Triggers
What triggers your cannabis use? Is it stress, boredom, or a social situation? Identifying what makes you want to use cannabis can help you manage your habits better. People use this same strategy to manage other behaviors, like compulsively checking their phones or overeating. Once you know your triggers, you can find alternative ways to handle those situations, such as exercising, meditating, or engaging in a hobby.
- Take Breaks
With any potentially addictive behavior, it’s important to take breaks. Just like some people try a digital detox to cut back on their phone or social media use, taking a tolerance break (a period where you stop using cannabis) can help you reset your system and prevent dependence. Even short breaks of a few days can make a big difference in how your body responds to cannabis.
- Monitor How You Feel
One of the best ways to prevent addiction is to check in with yourself regularly. How do you feel when you’re using cannabis? Are you still enjoying the medical benefits, or are you using it just to feel “normal”? Do you feel anxious or irritable when you’re not using cannabis? If cannabis is starting to feel more like a necessity than something you do occasionally, it’s a good idea to reassess your use.
This same principle applies to other addictive behaviors. For example, someone who finds themselves feeling anxious without their phone might need to take a step back and reevaluate their relationship with it. The same goes for cannabis use.
- Get Support if Needed
Just like someone with a shopping or gaming addiction might seek help from a therapist or support group, don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re finding it hard to manage your cannabis use on your own. There’s no shame in seeking support, whether it’s from friends, family, or a healthcare professional.
Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can be very effective for managing addictions, including cannabis. This type of therapy helps you identify negative thought patterns and develop healthier habits. Sometimes, having an outside perspective can make all the difference when it comes to managing addictive behaviors.
Responsible Cannabis Use: A Balanced Approach
Cannabis has many potential benefits, especially for those who use it for medical purposes. However, like any substance or behavior that makes us feel good, it’s important to approach it with balance and mindfulness. This doesn’t mean you have to stop using cannabis altogether or never use it at all, but it does mean being aware of how and why you’re using it.
The principles for managing cannabis use are similar to the strategies used to handle other potentially addictive behaviors, like social media, gaming, or medications. By setting boundaries, identifying triggers, taking breaks, and seeking support when necessary, you can prevent cannabis from becoming a problem in your life.
At ReThink-Rx, we understand that cannabis, like many other substances and activities, can be beneficial when used responsibly. Our focus is on helping people navigate their relationship with cannabis in a healthy way, especially when it comes to its therapeutic applications. We’re here to support you in developing responsible cannabis use practices that work for your unique situation. When we meet with you for our annual encounter, or sooner if needed, we will evaluate whether your consumption level is becoming a problem. Our feedback to your honest answers should indicate whether you need to modify your consumption or if your level warrants specialist intervention and support. Take our recommendations seriously. This is about you, not us. Our goal is your good health.
Addiction can happen with anything that makes us feel good, whether it’s a substance, an activity, or even something like social media. The key is not necessarily to avoid these things altogether but to manage them responsibly. By taking a balanced, mindful approach to cannabis use, you can enjoy its benefits without letting it control your life.
Dr. Nicholas Marsh has been a respected board-certified anesthesiologist in Northern Virginia for over 35 years. Recognized as a top doctor by FindaTopDoc.com, his vision for providing top-quality medical services is driven by his passion for patient comfort and dignity.