These days, THC is available in more forms than ever before. It seems like everywhere you turn, there’s a new THC-infused product of some kind.
In some cases, people claim to see benefits from using THC legally and responsibly. But for others, the explosion of THC varieties–and how easy it is to find them–creates an easier pathway to addiction. And in recent decades, the concentration of THC in cannabis has gone up significantly. This means many people are now consuming higher amounts of THC in a single dose.
So let’s take a closer look at tetrahydrocannabinol (no wonder we abbreviate it to THC!). How addictive is it? What are the signs of an addiction? And if you become addicted, what does the detox process look like to get clean again?
Is THC Highly Addictive?
Many people think of THC as not being addictive. And in comparison to other drugs, like opioids for example, it is far less addictive. But it’s false to suggest that THC is not addictive at all.
According to the CDC, roughly 30% of THC users will develop cannabis use disorder, which is another way of saying they’re addicted. And that percentage goes up the younger you are when you start using THC.
So is it highly addictive? With 3 out of 10 users becoming addicted, you’d have to acknowledge that THC addiction is a real risk.
THC Addiction Symptoms & Signs
There is a long list of signs that you may have a THC addiction. But it’s good to be aware that you don’t have to experience all these symptoms for it to be considered an addiction.
So what does THC addiction look like? Here are the symptoms to watch for:
- Using THC more than you intended
- Trying to quit but being unsuccessful
- Reorienting your life around THC (getting it, using it, recovering)
- Having a persistent and compelling urge to use
- Using it even though it’s impacting your life at home, school, or work
- Continuing your use despite it causing issues with friends or family
- Giving up important hobbies and relationships to focus on THC use
- Putting yourself at risk of injury or harm from drug use
- Continuing despite known physical or mental health consequences
- Needing more and more THC to get the same high
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using
Generally, having 2 or 3 of these symptoms is considered a mild cannabis use disorder. A moderate addiction is experiencing 4 or 5 of these symptoms, and a severe addiction is 6 or more.
But of course, as with any medical condition, it’s important to speak with a medical professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
THC Withdrawal
If you or a loved one is addicted to THC, it’s common to have some fear or anxiety about the detox and withdrawal process. How long does it take? How bad are the symptoms? What am I going to feel like?
For some people, those worries are enough to keep them stuck in a cycle of addiction rather than seeking help.
In another article, we did an in-depth look at weed detox symptoms and timeline. So take a look at that for more details, but here’s a summary of what to expect when getting off THC.
Week 1
You can expect the first week to be the most challenging as you break free from THC use. You’ll typically start noticing withdrawal symptoms about 24-48 hours after your last use.
In the first few days, you may notice yourself feeling irritable, having trouble sleeping, and not feeling as hungry as usual.
The withdrawal symptoms often peak within the first week. In days 4-7, you may experience mood swings, stronger cravings to use THC again, and sweating/chills.
Weeks 2-4
After the first week, things typically get much easier. But for the next couple weeks, you may still experience some trouble with sleep and some mild mood swings involving depression or anxiety.
All that being said, everyone’s experience is going to be unique. Depending on how long you’ve been using THC, how much you use it, and your own physical and psychological make-up, your THC addiction withdrawal may look a little different than what we’ve described here.
THC Addiction Test
At Sana, one of the free resources we offer is our Drug Use Screening Test. While this isn’t a substitute for speaking with a skilled professional, it can give you some clarity on how much your THC use is impacting your life.
On the other hand, if you already know you need help breaking free from a THC addiction, it can be helpful to talk with someone about next steps. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 866-575-9958.
Our drug rehab facility is nestled in beautiful Stowe, Vermont, where we provide the highest level of medical and holistic care to help people overcome addiction and get their life back. If you or someone you love needs this, we’d be glad to talk.
