Marijuana, joints, and all products associated with cannabis consumption have been experiencing a golden age in recent years. Many health experts are finding more and more uses for this substance as a therapeutic remedy. However, this fact is leading to an informational bias that makes the public believe cannabis is harmless or can be very beneficial for health. Although in certain quantities and specific situations it can be a good treatment, it is also harmful to health. Therefore, today we tell you what characterizes marijuana consumption and the solution to how to tell if a person smokes cannabis.
How to tell if someone smokes cannabis: Symptoms of addiction
When an individual frequently consumes cannabis, abusing it or taking high doses, they can develop dependence. Some of the signs of addiction that may reveal that a person smokes cannabis are:
- Having watery eyes
- Apathy
- Visible tiredness or dark circles under the eyes
- Changing clothes or wearing cologne to hide the smell of cannabis
- Hiding things to smoke in inaccessible places
- Disinhibition
- Increased appetite
- Laughing frequently at things that are not funny
- Vacant stare
- Inability to sustain a long conversation
Consequences of smoking cannabis in young people and adolescents
Although marijuana is one of the less aggressive substances compared to other drugs, it also carries a degree of risk. Its consequences are not as dangerous as alcohol or cocaine consumption. However, the effect of cannabis has a greater impact on young people and adolescents. These are considered two of the groups vulnerable to cannabis. As they are individuals in the most important stage of growth, maturation, and development in their lives, cannabis addiction can be very severe.
Some of the most frequent problems of smoking marijuana are potential difficulties in physical and mental development, emotional changes, and the loss of some cognitive abilities. Regular cannabis consumption can favor an addictive disorder and the development of dependence on this narcotic. Consequently, the person progressively smokes more cannabis, and their body may eventually need this substance to function normally. Furthermore, the intensity of the effects caused by this drug also increases.
If an adolescent habitually smokes cannabis, it is very likely that they will suffer from addiction-related symptoms with varying intensity. This can lead to an alteration of personality, behavior, and the way they relate to other people. A clear case of this drug problem is that smoking cannabis all the time can make the young person think only about consuming cannabis. This can lead to reduced productivity, high academic failure, and loss of self-esteem. These consequences can haunt them throughout their lives if not remedied through an addiction treatment.
4 effects that demonstrate cannabis consumption is not harmless
Can cause psychological dependence
Constantly smoking cannabis can create a relationship of need with the substance. If consumption is compulsive and anxiety, irritability, craving, mood swings during abstinence, and the need to consume the substance to perform certain activities are manifested, then dependence can be spoken of. The dependent person feels they need the substance to function better.
Alters the central nervous system
Marijuana modifies perception and causes spatio-temporal disorientation. It also increases the probability of accidents because it affects psychomotor coordination. In the long term, the substance causes neurocognitive deterioration and can lead to amotivational syndrome, a disorder that diminishes the ability to feel motivated for any activity.
Causes respiratory problems
Toxic substances produced by combustion (tar) and the temperature of the smoke are invasive and extremely harmful factors for the respiratory system. It damages the lungs, causing severe irritation, and can lead to the development of some types of cancer, in addition to causing respiratory crises, pneumonia, bronchitis, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Can cause acute psychotic episodes
Frequent marijuana smoking causes alterations in psychological activity to the point of producing auditory or visual hallucinations, depersonalization, paranoid ideas, a feeling of loss of control, panic, or terror, as an effect of compulsive consumption. Furthermore, the probability of suffering from schizophrenia increases considerably.
How to tell if someone smokes cannabis: Preventing consumption before addiction develops
For a person who abuses marijuana to realize that there is a problem, they must always be treated with respect and trust. Some tips for communicating with them are:
- Do not show contempt, anger, or judge the person negatively
- Establish a bond of trust and be a non-user of toxic substances
- Agree on rules and limits to avoid marijuana abuse
- Explain the consequences of cannabis addiction to them
- Have regular conversations so that the addict can relax and feel comfortable talking about their problems
- Try to guide them towards a healthier lifestyle
- Always seek a familiar, comfortable, and positive environment
At CCAdicciones, we can help you with your problem. We are a detoxification and addiction treatment clinic that can recommend the best solution to return to a healthy life. Contact our therapists, and they will inform you about all the possibilities available to you and the most optimal option for you.
