Smoking marijuana, or weed, is a popular form of drug abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that 10 percent of Americans over age 12 abused marijuana in 2008, and more than 4 million met the diagnostic criteria for abuse. Helpguide.org, a self-help website, explains that support is essential for substance abusers who want to stop. You can assist a person who has committed to giving up weed in a variety of ways.
More than 40 percent of those over the age of 12 have smoked weed at some point in their lives, according to a survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2009.
Treatment programs for quitting mar...
Quitting marijuana is often treated much like other addictive behaviors such as smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. Clinicians approach most substance abuse problems with cognitive behavioral therapy, which aims to help pa...
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the main component of the drug that causes psychoactive reactions.
Knowing how marijuana affects the brain may hinder some people from using it, but there are still those who do. You m...
Pot has serious risks and is commonly referred to as a "gateway drug," because some people will search for more potent, more dangerous drugs after experimenting with pot. If you find out your child is smoking pot, work to end t...
Heavy marijuana users who give up smoking marijuana often face similar withdrawal effects as those addicted to other drugs. Because they have built up a tolerance to marijuana, their dependence on it may result in some unpleasa...
It is not easy to quit if you are a heavy user. There may be some withdrawal symptoms, including insomnia, headaches, anxiety and nervousness, but they will subside with time.
For some, heart rate increases and blood pressure rises. There typically is a loss of coordination and reduced reaction time. Over time, weed affects the memory and respiratory system, and most users develop a psychol