Q&A – Marijuana withdrawal or depression?

Here’s a good question from Dirty Numb Angel Girl with an even better answer, enjoy: Hey all, I have been feeling upset the whole of this week, confused and lost like I can’t cope with the world outside. I have been bursting into tears for no reason throughout the day and have been losing my temper a lot too. I have began to feel very anxious for example if I see two people laughing in the street I feel like they must be laughing at my expense or at me. I feel like I just want to be alone or sleep for months on end just so I don’t have to think anymore.I’m not sure if this is because I have a history of bouts of depression or because I have been smoking marijuana heavily for the past 2 years and now have cut down a hell of a lot?How can I know which one it is? Answer: It can be from both of the conditions you mention, also marijuana causes depression in a number of those that use it.”Studies have demonstrated that tolerance and withdrawal develop with daily use of large doses of marijuana or THC (Haney et al. 1999a; Jones and Benowitz 1976; Kouri and Pope 2000). About 15 percent of people who acknowledge moderate-to-heavy use reported a withdrawal syndrome with symptoms of nervousness, sleep disturbance, and appetite change (Wiesbeck et al. 1996).Many adults who are marijuana dependent report affective (i.e., mood) symptoms and craving during periods of abstinence when they present for treatment (Budney et al. 1999). The contribution of physical...
Source: Addiction Recovery Blog - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: Opiate Treatment Source Type: blogs