Is marijuana addiction fact or fiction?   The technical issues surround this question continue to rage among counselors, medical experts and government officials around the world.   But as these experts continue to debate the issue, countless people have seen their lives lose meaning as a result of THC and marijuana addiction.

You see, even though no one may ever declare marijuana addictive, long-term, heavy use of substance carries with it many of the same ill effects as drug addiction.

How to Spot Marijuana Addiction

If you suspect that someone you know may have a marijuana addiction, watch for the following signs and symptoms.   These signs do not appear in every marijuana addict, but are by far the most common behaviors associated with heavy use of the drug.

• Listless behavior.    The individual who is addicted to marijuana will show little motivation at school, work or in personal relationships.
• Chronic cough.   Coughing and wheezing constantly are common signs of marijuana addiction, as the drug has a seriously negative impact on the individual’s lungs.
• Moodiness.   When not using marijuana, the individual may have a proclivity towards sudden moods shifts or irritability.
• Drug paraphernalia.   Look around for evidence of pot smoking, namely:  rolling papers, pipes, bongs, hollowed out cigars, pot residue, etc.   This is an especially important tip for parents who are concerned about their children using marijuana.

Getting Help for Someone with a Marijuana Addiction

When dealing with marijuana addiction and a loved one, the most important thing is to be proactive.   The longer you wait to talk to the individual – and get them help – the further they will fall into the downward spiral of addiction.   If you have tried to talk to the individual about their marijuana addiction, and had little success getting through to them, it might be time to hold an intervention.

A drug intervention is a chance for friends and family to come together and talk to the individual about their marijuana addiction.  With the help of a professional interventionist, the goal is to get the individual into  treatment immediately following the meeting.

Once the individual is enrolled in a qualified drug rehab program, they will be able to climb the road towards recovery.    Through a process that includes detox, counseling and aftercare, the individual will be able to overcome their physical and psychological addiction to marijuana.   In the case of marijuana, the addiction is a strong psychological one.   It will take a good amount of individual and group counseling to help the recovering addict learn new behaviors to replace marijuana use.   For many, marijuana has become a part of so many aspects of life, that finding something else to do is a challenge.