Marijuana Addiction Test

Thank you for taking our marijuana addiction test! Below is a little bit more information about substance use disorder as well as links to mental health professionals who can help you.

What is Cannabis Use Disorder?

Marijuana Use Disorder (sometimes called cannabis use disorder) is a type of substance use disorder where a person uses marijuana in a way that causes problems in their daily life. This can include using more than intended, struggling to control use, or continuing to use despite negative effects on relationships, work, school, or health.

Marijuana use disorder ranges from mild to severe, and can affect both physical and mental health. With proper support and treatment, recovery is possible.

How Common Is It?

• About 2–3% of adults in the U.S. meet criteria for marijuana use disorder each year.
• It often begins in adolescence or young adulthood, though anyone can develop it.
• Males are slightly more likely to develop marijuana use disorder than females.

What Causes Marijuana Use Disorder?

There is no single cause. Marijuana use disorder usually develops from a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Biological Factors:

• Genetics: Family history of substance use disorders or mental health conditions
• Brain chemistry: Marijuana affects reward pathways, which can contribute to dependence

Psychological Factors:

• Coping with stress, anxiety, or depression
• Impulsive behavior or difficulty regulating emotions
• History of trauma or adverse childhood experiences

Environmental and Social Factors:

• Peer or social influence promoting frequent use
• Easy access to marijuana
• Cultural acceptance or normalization of cannabis use

Common Signs and Symptoms of Marijuana Use Disorder

Marijuana use disorder can affect emotions, behavior, and daily functioning.

Behavioral Symptoms:

• Using more marijuana or using more often than intended
• Spending significant time obtaining, using, or recovering from marijuana
• Inability to reduce or stop use despite wanting to
• Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home
• Continuing use despite negative consequences on relationships or health
• Giving up activities previously enjoyed

Physical and Cognitive Symptoms:

• Tolerance (needing more marijuana to get the same effect)
• Withdrawal symptoms when not using, such as irritability, sleep difficulties, decreased appetite, or anxiety
• Memory or attention problems
• Impaired coordination or motor skills

DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for Cannabis Use Disorder

According to the DSM-5, marijuana use disorder is diagnosed when two or more of the following occur within a 12-month period:

1. Using more marijuana or for longer than intended
2. Unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control use
3. Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from marijuana
4. Cravings or strong desire to use marijuana
5. Use causing failure to fulfill responsibilities at work, school, or home
6. Continued use despite social or interpersonal problems caused by marijuana
7. Giving up important activities in favor of marijuana use
8. Using marijuana in situations where it is physically hazardous
9. Continuing use despite knowledge of physical or psychological problems worsened by marijuana
10. Developing tolerance
11. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms

The severity is classified as:

• Mild: 2–3 criteria
• Moderate: 4–5 criteria
• Severe: 6 or more criteria

Medical and Emotional Complications

Marijuana use disorder can lead to:

• Cognitive impairment (memory, attention, learning difficulties)
• Mental health challenges (anxiety, depression, psychosis in vulnerable individuals)
• Reduced motivation or academic/work performance
• Respiratory problems if smoked
• Social or legal consequences

Treatment for Marijuana Use Disorder

Recovery is possible. Treatment often combines behavioral therapy, support, and sometimes medical interventions.

Behavioral Therapies

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify triggers and develop coping strategies
• Contingency Management: Provides rewards for maintaining abstinence or reducing use
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET): Supports motivation to change and commitment to recovery

Support Groups and Peer Support

• Groups such as Marijuana Anonymous or other recovery communities
• Peer support can reduce isolation and improve accountability

Medical Care

• Monitoring for withdrawal symptoms
• Treating co-occurring mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety

Lifestyle and Coping Strategies

• Stress management and mindfulness practices
• Developing healthy routines and activities
• Reducing exposure to triggers or environments that encourage use

When to Seek Help

Seek professional support if you or someone you care about:

• Struggles to control marijuana use
• Experiences withdrawal symptoms when not using
• Faces problems at work, school, or in relationships due to use
• Wants to stop or reduce use but cannot
• Feels distressed or dependent on marijuana

Early intervention increases the likelihood of recovery and reduces long-term complications.

Getting Help

Marijuana use disorder is treatable. With support, therapy, and strategies to manage cravings and triggers, many people reduce or stop marijuana use and rebuild healthier routines and relationships. Recovery is possible at any age.

If you or someone you know may have marijuana use disorder, consider reaching out to:

• A primary care physician or mental health professional
• Addiction specialists or substance use treatment centers
• Support groups such as Marijuana Anonymous

You are not alone — help and effective treatment are available.

If you need help, there is hope! Reach out to a mental health professional that treats substance use disorders. For additional tools, view our Substance Abuse Worksheets.

Resources:

• Understanding your risk for cannabis use disorder. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.-d). https://www.cdc.gov/cannabis/health-effects/cannabis-use-disorder.html
• Patel, J., & Marawha, R. (2024, March 20). Cannabis use disorder. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538131/