Is Cannabis Addictive?

Cannabis is a psychoactive drug that has been used for thousands of years. Its effects are similar to those of other drugs such as alcohol, cocaine and heroin. People who use cannabis may experience euphoria, relaxation or anxiety depending on the dose they take and which strain they use.

So why then, when it comes to talking about its potential abuse, do we keep hearing that it’s not addictive?

In the UK, between 8-11% of cannabis users report a dependency problem, so if cannabis addiction isn’t real, what is it then?

Understanding addiction

Addiction is defined by the World Health Organisation as “a chronic disease characterised by compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences”, but it is not only confined to substance use.

Behavioural addictions for example can include gambling, shopping, sex, eating disorders, workaholism, internet gaming and even exercise. Substance rehabilitation will hardly be efficient for these types of addictions.

So, when is it right to say that a substance is “addictive”? Better still, why do some people report problems with substances/behaviours but others don’t?

Addiction as a coping mechanism

People turn to substances or behaviours like gambling as a way of coping with stress and anxiety. When you’re stressed, your body releases chemicals called neurotransmitters which help regulate mood and behaviour. These neurotransmitters also affect our ability to learn from experiences, making us more likely to repeat bad habits.

When these neurotransmitters become overstimulated, they can cause feelings of depression, anger, paranoia and anxiety.

Addiction therefore can be a way for people to cope with their emotions. This is because the brain learns how to deal with negative emotions through repeated exposure to substances or behaviours, as opposed to healthy lifestyle choices.

In the context of cannabis use, this means that people often smoke in order to feel relaxed, happy or sociable. The same applies to other substances such as alcohol, tobacco and prescription medicines.

Is it wrong to say a substance is ‘addictive’?

It is true that some substances are more potent and have stronger withdrawal potential than others. It is also true that certain strains of cannabis are more potent than others. But given than addiction is a psychological illness, there is far more going on than just the use of cannabis.

The key difference between an addiction and a habit is that an addiction involves a person’s thoughts, feelings and actions becoming controlled by the substance or behaviour. Therefore, the use of substances is a way of managing or coping with life.

Cannabis addiction is real, because addiction is real

Any form of substance abuse or behaviour that causes harm to yourself or others is considered problematic. However, many people will argue that cannabis use is not harmful. They might point out that the harms associated with cannabis use are exaggerated, or that the benefits outweigh the risks.

But those who argue against the reality of cannabis dependence misunderstand what addiction is, it is not about the substance, it’s about the way an individual associates with a substance.

The symptoms of addiction are the same for all forms of addiction and include:

• Cravings
• Withdrawal
• Tolerance
• Compulsivity
• Irrational thinking & decision making
• Loss of interest in activities that were once pleasurable
• Lack of motivation
• Sleep disturbance
• Poor concentration
• Problems at school or work
• Problems with relationships

Treatment for cannabis dependence

There are a number of treatment options available in the UK for cannabis addiction, including:

• Cognitive behaviour therapy
• Support groups – such as Narcotics Anonymous or SMART recovery
• Counselling

These treatments, part of the rehabilitative process, all aim to address the underlying issues causing the problem, rather than simply treating the symptoms. They can be done with a counsellor or via a residential treatment programme.

Counselling services are offered via the NHS or can be funded privately. In the UK, residential treatment is usually funded privately. However, help may be available via health insurers and their policies, as well as through some charitable organisations. For more information on free services, speak to a GP.