Are You Addicted? Find Out With The Criteria Used By Professionals
Are You Addicted? Discover the Criteria Used by Professionals to Find Out
Marijuana addiction is a sneaky, often overlooked issue that can be hard to identify. In fact, of all the addictions I treat, it's probably the hardest for people to recognize. In this post, we'll delve into the clinical criteria for marijuana addiction, officially known as Marijuana Use Disorder, and explore how these criteria can stay hidden under the radar.
Understanding Marijuana Use Disorder
Before we jump into the criteria, it's essential to understand that the clinical criteria for Marijuana Use Disorder are the same as those used for other substance addictions, like alcohol or methamphetamine. The only difference is the substance involved. By understanding these criteria, you can learn to recognize potential signs of addiction in yourself or someone you care about.
The 11 Criteria for Marijuana Use Disorder
Let's break down the 11 criteria used by professionals to diagnose Marijuana Use Disorder. As you read through them, count how many you or someone you know might meet.
1. Using More Than Intended: Do you often find yourself using more marijuana than you planned or using it more frequently than intended? Maybe you set rules for yourself—like only using on weekends—but find yourself breaking them.
2. Unsuccessful Efforts to Cut Down: Have you tried to quit or reduce your marijuana use, only to find yourself returning to it? Even if you manage to stop for a while, do you eventually go back to it despite your intentions?
3. Spending a Lot of Time Using Marijuana: If a significant amount of your time is spent obtaining, using, or recovering from marijuana, this is a major sign. This includes making calls, going to pick it up, or simply spending hours being high.
4. Cravings: Do you experience strong cravings or urges to use marijuana? Even if you don't label it as a craving, a persistent desire to use is a red flag.
5. Failure to Fulfill Major Role Obligations: Are you falling behind in work, school, or home responsibilities? Sometimes, people think they're just lazy or irresponsible, not realizing that marijuana might be the underlying issue.
6. Continued Use Despite Problems: If you continue using marijuana despite knowing it's causing problems—whether they're legal, interpersonal, or job-related—you may have a problem. Often, people blame these issues on everything but marijuana.
7. Giving Up Hobbies and Interests: Have you lost interest in activities you used to enjoy? If you find yourself only enjoying things when you're high or only doing activities that allow you to use marijuana, this could be a sign of addiction.
8. Using in Hazardous Situations: This includes using marijuana while driving, at work, or when you should be taking care of children—any situation where safety is compromised.
9. Development of Tolerance: Do you need more marijuana to get the same effect? This is known as tolerance and is a key indicator of addiction.
10. Withdrawal Symptoms: Do you feel anxious, depressed, or unable to sleep or eat without marijuana? These are withdrawal symptoms, suggesting your body has become dependent on the drug.
11. Continued Use Despite Health Problems: If you know marijuana is affecting your physical or mental health but continue to use it, this is a serious sign of addiction.
Scoring Yourself: How Severe Is Your Marijuana Use Disorder?
Mild: If you meet 2-3 of these criteria, you may have a mild Marijuana Use Disorder.
Moderate: Meeting 4-5 criteria suggests a moderate level of addiction.
Severe: If you meet 6 or more criteria, your addiction is considered severe.
It can be surprising to realize that meeting even just six criteria is a serious concern. But it's important to pay attention—addiction can creep up on you.
Unofficial Signs of Marijuana Addiction
In addition to the official criteria, there are some unofficial signs of marijuana addiction to watch out for. These aren't listed in the diagnostic manuals, but they're common in my experience:
Increased Depression and Anxiety: Marijuana may seem to help with these issues at first, but over time, it can actually worsen them by depleting your brain's natural chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.
Gradual Decline: Unlike drugs like cocaine, where problems appear quickly, marijuana's impact is slow and subtle. You may not even realize it's affecting you until the damage is done.
Blaming Others: Addiction often leads to the belief that your problems are caused by others—whether it's your partner, job, or situation—when the real issue may be your marijuana use.
The Slow Drift of Addiction
Imagine you're a kid playing in the ocean. You're having a great time, but when you look up, you realize you've drifted far from where you started without even noticing. That's how marijuana addiction works—it slowly pulls you away from your goals, your interests, and your happiness.
Taking Action
If you're concerned that you or someone you love might be addicted to marijuana, the best way to find out is to take a break from using it. Try stopping for at least 30 days and see how you feel. Many people are amazed at how much better they feel once they're free from the grip of addiction.
Marijuana addiction is sneaky, often hidden by its slow impact and cultural acceptance. But by understanding the criteria for Marijuana Use Disorder, you can take the first step toward recognizing and addressing the problem. If you think you might be addicted, don't wait—reach out for help and take control of your life again.
Amber Hollingsworth
Watch this video titled The Different Stages of Alcoholism next:
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