Although there is a debate about how strong is the physical addiction to marijuana, a marijuana smoker may develop a psychological addiction to the drug, the Mayo Clinic says. Smokers may wind up being tempted to use it on a regular basis. The concentration of THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana, has gotten stronger in the last few decades, meaning the drug is more potent now than it was in the 1960s or 1970s.
Behavior
An addicted marijuana smoker may allow the drug to be the central part of her life, according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Major responsibilities fall behind as the person focuses more on marijuana, despite the concerns of friends and family. Marijuana addiction may be similar to other drug addictions in that the user needs to use the drug throughout the day. The person may fail in making repeated attempts to quit. People addicted to marijuana may continue to spend money on it even though they can't afford it. They will feel the need to use the drug to deal with problems. Their addiction may cause them to spend more of their time, money and energy on getting marijuana. It may become so severe that they may suffer "burnout" periods where they are completely unaware of their surrounding or what people are saying to them.
Health Problems
Addiction to marijuana may cause increasing complaints of illness. A study of frequent marijuana smokers who did not smoke tobacco found that they have more health problems and miss more days of work than do nonsmokers. The sick days were often due to respiratory illness, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Long-term use may cause an increased risk of chronic pulmonary disorders, including lung cancer and emphysema, according to Rutgers University.
Recklessness
As a person uses marijuana more often over a long period of time, he may become more careless. A frequent smoker may be unaware or thoughtless when it comes to risky activity, including driving when it is unsafe. A 2000 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded that even small doses or marijuana impaired driving because of delayed reaction time and visual changes.
Sexual Matters
Sexual pleasure and interest may diminish in people addicted to marijuana. There may be a decrease in testosterone and sperm levels in men, and an increased risk of infertility in men and women, Rutgers University reports. A study of 8,656 Australian men who regularly used marijuana found that they were four times more likely to have difficulty reaching orgasm than nonsmokers, according to researchers at La Trobe University in Melbourne, it was reported in an Aug. 24, 2009 issue of New Scientist.
Withdrawal Signs
A person who can't get marijuana or tries to quit may exhibit withdrawal symptoms, especially if they are long-time, heavy users. Such symptoms may include anxiety, stomach pain, irritability and anger, according to Narconon, a drug rehab center. There may even be aggressive behavior as they stop using the drug.
