Though there are many activists that feel marijuana has no negative side effects or addictive qualities, the fact are scientific research has indicated regular use of marijuana can cause significant heath issues as one can develop addiction to marijuana. In the United States, marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug. When a user smokes marijuana, the effects occur immediately and can last for up to three hours in duration. When marijuana is ingested in foods such as brownies or cookies, the effects take longer to happen, but can last longer as a result.

There are several short-term side effects associated with marijuana use which include distorted perception, memory loss, learning disabilities, coordination loss, and decrease in problem solving abilities, thinking problems, increased heart rate and reduction in blood pressure. Addiction to marijuana use can even produce anxiety, fear and possibly feelings of panic.

Marijuana when used over a long period of time can also have dramatic effects on the brain of a user. Some portions of the brain have cannabinoid receptors, but other areas of the brain have few or none. The cannabinoid receptors in the brain influence feelings of pleasure, memory, concentration, thought, sensory perception and coordination of movements. Research has shown long term marijuana addiction can adversely affect these areas of the brain.

Symptoms of addiction to marijuana are much like the ones experienced by people who have an addiction to nicotine. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability, anger, depression, mood swings, headache, appetite loss, hyperactivity and physical cravings. Withdrawal symptoms appear in a habitual user within approximately 8 hours and are most prevalent within the first 10 days, but can last as long as 45 days in duration.

Marijuana can be smoked in a cigarette, pipe or in blunt (cigar type) form mixed with another drug such as crack cocaine. With long term use, a person may develop a physical intolerance to marijuana and may need to smoke more of the drug to experience the same effects. Long term marijuana addiction can cause severe breathing problems, coughing, and wheezing and lung infections.

Because marijuana is rapidly adsorbed by the fatty tissues in the body, traces can be found in the blood for several days, with chronic use trace amounts can be detected for a period of several weeks. Marijuana addiction is more common than many people think; research indicates that as many as 2.5 million people use marijuana annually in the United States. To overcome this problem, treatment for marijuana addiction is available in large scale. For example, Christian drug treatment for marijuana addiction also includes intensive marijuana addiction counseling.

Research has also shown that long-term addiction to marijuana can cause an increase of anxiety, depression, suicidal tendencies and schizophrenia. Some studies have also indicated, the earlier an age a person first uses marijuana will have a direct effect on the likeliness of addiction problems later in life. Chronic marijuana use is a serious issue, which while not life-threatening can be hard to combat without the assistance of a qualified rehabilitation specialist. Marijuana addiction help in the form of marijuana rehab programs is available at Christian drug treatment centers.

If you or someone you love is seeking help for marijuana addiction, remember there is help available in the form of marijuana addiction counseling and treatment from professional and reliable Christian drug rehab and alcohol treatment center. Please contact the Transformation Treatment Center admissions office today for more information on how you can successfully treat and overcome your addiction to marijuana.

Transformation Treatment Center, a leading popular Christian drug treatment center also offers treatments for Opiate, GHB, Ultram, Lortab, Codeine, Rohypnol, and other addiction problems.