I Have Marijuana Dependence?!
Question: I have dependence on marijuana, I smoke at least a dime to an HQ every day (I use a method that makes my weed go faaaar but still keep me high), when Im not at work im High. Period. From the minute I wake up, to getting to work, from leaving work to going to bed. I haven't let it effect my work, which I guess is good, but I strongly believe and have been told by a friend, that marijuana may be causing me to become bipolar. I know for a fact that I have Major Depression. Could either be caused by Weed? Either way I know I need to stop, and I want to, but at the same time I don't know how I could cope with life without it, and I really don't want to quit too. Please advise, as my mixed feelings are tearing me up.
Answers: I have dependence on marijuana, I smoke at least a dime to an HQ every day (I use a method that makes my weed go faaaar but still keep me high), when Im not at work im High. Period. From the minute I wake up, to getting to work, from leaving work to going to bed. I haven't let it effect my work, which I guess is good, but I strongly believe and have been told by a friend, that marijuana may be causing me to become bipolar. I know for a fact that I have Major Depression. Could either be caused by Weed? Either way I know I need to stop, and I want to, but at the same time I don't know how I could cope with life without it, and I really don't want to quit too. Please advise, as my mixed feelings are tearing me up.
I used to have the same lifestyle. I don't believe marijuana can cause bipolar disorder, but I believe that it can contribute to depression. "Cause" is a strong word, it may make someone feel depressed but clinical depression is a stretch. I think that you are probably self-medicating with the m.j. That's what it was for me. After ten or so years of always being stoned, you get really apathetic and amotivational. I was just like you, I couldn't imagine how boring & dumb life would be without it. I just VERY slowly smoked less & less. I never actually cut it out completely, but I kept adding more productive things to my life like pursuing a master's degree, learning qigong, and working out (cardio and strenghth training) every day. You begin to get energized and happy with the status quo rather than feeling the need to feel different all of the time. You don't have to give it up altogether but you need to counteract the low that constant use is putting you on.
marijuana is not addictive, its not phsyically addictive like hard drugs, but i did hear ir can cause depression cause it burns your brain and kills off some hormone that will make you feel down...thats why is called a depresant drug! thats why you should only smoke weed on occasion, keep it from getting ur body used to it.
marijuana isnt psysicall addictive, and more than anything it would help you if you were bipolar
you suck at life
yes, depression could be caused by week. no, you dont have marijuana dependence. it is not physicologically possible to be "addicted" to weed...however, you could have PSYCHOLOGICAL addiction, which is very likely.
drink lots and lots of water, exercise alot, and make up your mind not to do it anymore.
I've smoked pot and I absolutely loved it! I quit because I got a federal job. It very well could be the reason for your depression/possible bipolar disorder. Each person is different. Try going without it for a little while and see how you feel. I'd also suggest going to see a doctor about the depression. He can get you some pills that will help with that!
It's very likely that marijuana can be causing this.
I find that if I've been smoking a lot of weed at a particular point in time, and I'm stressed, then i start to hallucinate a lot.
This isn't the effects of getting high (obviously), but just having the THC in my system and stress.
Try smoking a little less each day. If this doesn't work, you'll have to suck it up and go cold turkey. Some people just can't do things in moderation.
Yeah becoming biploar starts to mix up your emotions alot....lol..but when the body needs it to basically live off of there really is no need to try and get rid of it from your body. Cuz i mean you might go thru relapses. or withdrawals and that stuff ain t pretty.. If its not affecting your work or your at home life whats really the problem with having it. I mean dnt a joint suppose to help your eye sight anyway...lol
Marijuana is not addicting but you can become dependent on the substance. I teach college courses on addiction and treatment. I think you should find a drug counselor and talk to them. With your depression, are you taking any medication? If not, it is understandable that you would self-medicate yourself with marijuana. People self-medicate all the time and it's good that you chose a non-addictive substance over the addictive substances. But your chances for lung cancer have risen sky high, way higher than smoking a pack a day. Your lungs are probably weak (like mine, i smoke a pack a day). The best thing you can do is just stop smoking and get put on regular medication. Everyone is different and although no physical withdrawl symptoms will occuyr, mental withdrawl symptoms will and that can cause physiological issues. Just go to a dr. get some meds and if you choose to stop smoking marijuana, just stop or ween yourself off.
see a therapist you probably have depression... if you can't function through the day without being sober..
marijuana is not physically addictive (meaning you will not experience physical withdrawals when you stop) but it is beyond a doubt psychologically addictive ( meaning you mentally enjoy it and don't want to stop even though you know you should) I used to think it was the greatest substance on earth.. I used it to get over a cocaine addiction and cigarette's. however it is bad for you! it is full of carcinogens known to cause lung problems, it kills brain cells, makes you unmotivated and lazy.... and to make things even worse it is Illegal. getting caught with it can ruin your future. I can't even get a job at a quick trip cause I was denied my liquor license over a possession charge. Just some advice from someone that has been there done that. You can get help at any NA meeting. It is a serious addiction. Don't let anyone tell you it's not. But if you believe in yourself and put your mind to it you can walk away. People "get over" herion addiction ( which can kill you) we can "get over" marijuana addiction. piece of cake.
I really agree with PontificalPape. His answer was probably the best of all!
Take up a rigorous exercise program. Limit consumption to after your workout. That way you're only consuming during the time when your body will most appreciate the rest, relaxation, and healing properties of cannabis.
Cannabis is NOT addictive. If you have an addictive personality, you can get addicted to anything from cheese toast to television to even cannabis; but the cannabis itself is NOT addictive. And, if it makes your life more productive, manageable, and less stressful, then there is no valid reason for you to totally quit. You just need to responsibly manage your consumption.
Good luck!!
Marijuana is physically addictive. True, it causes a minimum of physical withdrawal symptoms, but the psychoactive substance in marijuana stays in the body for a very long time; in fact, it is one of the psychoactive substances that stays the longest in the brain. One of its most notable effects (more often seen by others than by the person using) is a total lack of motivation or care about anything. It also creates a very subtle illusion that there is no problem, that everything is just a-o.k. It has also been established as a cause for different mental disorders, including symptoms similar to classic bipolar disorder and depression. I suggest you contact Marijuana Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous and attend meetings to see how others have been able to stop using. Good luck!
I have no idea what others are talking about here, because it is COMPLETELY possible to become addicted to marijuana in the same way that you can become addicted to video games or food. I guess they are so busy jumping on the "hey man, pot is all natural and isn't bad for you, man!" bandwagon that they overlooked the fact that things like non-chemical additions like gambling or computer addictions exist.
Weed isn't going to make you bipolar (only genes can do that) but any addiction - drugs especially - are going to wreak havoc with your chemical balances and your outlook on life, too.
I'd get addiction counseling, and don't feel weird or "dumb" because you think you "can't" be addicted to weed. You can and you sound like you are, if it's altering your life negatively and taking over where your life used to be. Good luck!