Marijuana is legal in about half of the United States—but it’s still a psychoactive drug derived from a particular strain of the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa). Like alcohol, it’s considered by many to be safer than meth, opioids, or cocaine. However, since people can abuse cannabis, experience negative side effects, and struggle to quit, it carries risks. Many people seek substance abuse treatment every year for marijuana use disorder.
Marijuana use can be social, casual, and infrequent. However, it can easily lead to marijuana abuse, resulting in dependence and harmful side effects. At The Right Step Houston, we support people seeking to stop their misuse of this common drug, using evidence-based therapies and providing compassionate, wrap-around care.
How Cannabis Affects the Brain
Like most other psychoactive drugs—from benzodiazepines (benzos) like Xanax® to opioids like OxyContin®—marijuana interacts chemically in the brain, affecting mood, emotions, thinking, and behavior. The high people experience is due to those interactions. Over time, the way cannabis affects the brain is also behind the risks of marijuana abuse.
Even though marijuana has medical applications, when you use it recreationally, there are typically no instructions about dosage or frequency. Thus, some of its effects may be potent one day and mild the next. In addition, the need to take more to get the desired effect is a sign of misuse and increased physical and psychological dependence.
In the brain, marijuana’s active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), affects:
- Attention
- Decision-making
- Coordination
- Reaction time
- Memory
- Learning
- Emotional regulation
Many of these are short-lived, but with prolonged use, some can persist. Developing brains are particularly at risk because an unfinished brain hasn’t completed myelination, a critical step in building the brain’s neural pathways and overall efficiency. Another aspect of brain development is synaptic refinement. This is when the brain cleans up nerve connections to create a more ordered and proficient system. The brain continues to develop until around age 25, making children, teenagers, and developing fetuses particularly vulnerable to severe side effects. While older adults are less susceptible, no one is entirely immune.
Troubling Cognitive Risks of Marijuana Abuse
The effects of marijuana on the brain and body can vary from person to person. These differences depend on several factors—including the age at which someone first uses it, how often they use it, whether they combine it with other drugs or alcohol, and the strength of the cannabis or its tetrahydrocannabinol concentration.
Some of the potential long-term risks of marijuana abuse include:
- Lowered verbal acuity
- Decrease in IQ scores
- Slow-down of memory, especially short-term memory recall
- Decreased overall cognitive efficiency
The brain is a very resilient organ, and deficits triggered by substance misuse are often temporary. The sooner you begin to address your marijuana abuse with the help and support of caring, committed professionals, the sooner you can start to live a life free from drug dependence.
What To Expect From Treatment for Marijuana Use Disorder
Often, when people seek treatment for cannabis abuse, they’ve been using it for many years. They may have tried to quit independently but found it didn’t work. Evidence-based treatment in a structured rehab program can be a game-changer. If you’ve tried to quit before and been unable to or are seeking to do so now and want to maximize your chances for lasting recovery, The Right Step Houston can offer you many treatment options and support opportunities.
The main components of a marijuana abuse treatment program will include:
- Individual and group therapy – Utilizing a behavioral approach, such as cognitive-behavior therapy or dialectical behavior therapy
- Peer support – A 12-step or other peer-based program for reassurance and accountability—generally accepted to be a key part of successful recovery
- Life skills learning – for recognizing and avoiding triggers and developing problem-solving skills
Marijuana misuse often co-occurs with either a mental health issue such as anxiety or another substance use disorder (SUD). When that’s the case, dual diagnosis treatment can address both co-occurring disorders in a coordinated approach.
Connect With The Right Step Houston Today and Get Started on Substance Abuse Treatment
Misusing marijuana can lead to dependence and long-term cognitive effects, even though many see it as a mild or harmless drug. Understanding the risks and seeking support is essential for those struggling with marijuana use disorder. At The Right Step Houston, we provide evidence-based treatment with options for inpatient or outpatient programs, as well as single-sex programs and compassionate care to help clients break free from dependence and regain control of their lives.
If you or a loved one needs support, reach out today to begin the journey toward lasting recovery. Connect with The Right Step Houston by calling 1.844.768.0169 or using our online form.