Marijauna Addiction

Let us talk, you and I, about Marijuana Addiction. In doing this we will need to talk about what is, and what isn't addiction. We will talk about addiction as it relates to wants, and to body craving. Habits as opposed to necessities.
I know what you are thinking right now. Addiction as a habit? Is this guy crazy? An addictiion to a substance means that you have to have that substance. And if you can't readily get that substance, then you will do anything in your power to get it.
Right? Not so fast there, bunkie.

Addiction
ad·dic·tion Pronunciation: \ə-ˈdik-shən, a-\Function: noun Date: 15991 : the quality or state of being addicted 2 : compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful

So what does that tell us? It tells us that to be addicted to a substance, the substance has to be habit-forming. It has to put us in a situation where we have to use the substance. The definition also tells us that use of the substance has to increase our tolerance for that substance, and finally that there are well-defined symptoms of withdrawal. The examples given in the definition are heroin, nicotine, and alcohol. All of those substances fit the definition because of the build up of tolerance, and symptoms of withdrawal. The substance that is missing is marijuana. Does this mean that there is no such thing as marijuana Addiction? Yes, and no.

And how can it be yes, and no? It either is or isn't, right? Again, yes and no. There are some who say that after stopping the use of marijuana, you can go through symptoms of withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms to marijuana can be somewhat characterized as the opposite to the intoxicating effects of the drug…instead of hunger, a loss of appetite, and instead of drowsiness, an inability to sleep.Some additional symptoms of marijuana withdrawal can include headache, nausea, anxiety (common) paranoia and even irritability or aggression.These sensations will endure with some intensity for several days before gradually subsiding, and it is during this period that the cravings to use are strongest, and there is the greatest risk of relapse.
Lets look at alcohol. Alcohol is a very addictive drug. The more we drink, the more our body comes to depend on it – thus, the nature of addiction. But what is it that makes alcohol so addictive?
The ironic thing about alcohol is that, to our bodies, it is poison. And in order to ingest alcohol and survive, our body must alter itself significantly. Specifically, our brain and liver undergo changes when we consume alcohol. The same thing happens with heroin, and similar narcotics such as cocaine. The use of these substances changes our brain chemistry, thereby making us crave them. We have to have the substance to make ourselves feel “ok”, or normal. On the opposite side, if we don't continue to give our body the alcohol, or drugs, our body starts to withdraw from the substance. And the withdrawal symptoms can be painful, including tremors, cramps, and diarrhea.
Quite a bit different from marijuana addiction, now isn't it? Yes, but for some people, marijuana can and will be addictive. Some people have a predisposition for addictive behavior. Marijuana itself is not addictive, but the behavior of its use can be. That all being said, why do people talk of marijuana as if it is some hob-goblin and scourge of our society?
That is a huge question that I don't have the capability to discuss here. But the fact of the matter is that marijuana use and possession is illegal, and its users have to take both of those facts into account if they so choose to use it.