Sierra Tucson offers effective, comprehensive treatment for individuals struggling with addiction and mental health concerns. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of high THC marijuana abuse.

Understanding High THC Marijuana Abuse

Learn about high THC marijuana abuse

All too often, people are warned of the dangers of abusing marijuana that may be laced or mixed with other substances of abuse. However, in recent years, the dangers of abusing marijuana that has been enhanced to make its chemical properties more potent is making headlines and causing more people to grapple with substance abuse issues. Higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, which is better known as THC, is the active ingredient in marijuana and is what’s making this drug even more hazardous to abuse. In its natural state, THC is what causes users to experience feelings of relaxation and detachment from surroundings, which are both effects that make marijuana an appealing substance to abuse. But, now that cultivators of marijuana are increasing the amount of THC typically found within this drug, the high experienced by those who abuse marijuana is far more intense.

When high THC marijuana is ingested, whether by smoking it, inhaling it, drinking it in a tea, or eating it mixed with food, a person can experience a profound high that can eventually alter one’s brain chemistry. And because an individual can develop a tolerance to this drug, more and more of this substance is needed to bring about the sought-after effects. Over time, the unfortunate consequence of this sort of behavior is a powerful addiction that can be challenging to overcome without the assistance and support of professionals. Fortunately, effective services are available and can be life-changing for someone battling an addiction to high THC marijuana.

Statistics

High THC marijuana abuse statistics

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, or NIDA, the amount of THC found in today’s marijuana is increasing. With this increase, more and more people are becoming addicted to marijuana and experiencing adverse effects as a result. In recent years, the number of emergency rooms visits by individuals who need care after abusing high THC marijuana is also rising, which speaks to the dangers associated with consuming marijuana with higher levels of THC. Lastly, per a recent study, the percentage of THC found in today’s marijuana has increased to nearly 40%, which is up from between 4% and 13% in decades past.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and risk factors for high THC marijuana abuse

Researchers have spent a great deal of time trying to understand why some people struggle with the abuse of drugs like high THC marijuana while others don’t. The following concepts are what were unveiled by this research, and may explain why you are grappling with this sort of substance abuse problem:

Genetic: While not the reason why someone chooses to abuse a drug like high THC marijuana in the first place, one’s genetics can have a powerful impact on whether or not someone will become a regular abuser of this kind of drug. For example, if a person has a family history of substance abuse and addiction, the possibility of also struggling with similar challenges is greater. Therefore, when trying to understand why you’ve developed a problem with high THC marijuana, you may want to consider your own family history of drug use.

Environmental: The potential for abusing strains of marijuana that have a higher concentration of THC can be influenced by certain environmental factors in addition to genetic factors. For example, if a person is younger, is able to easily acquire this drug, and if the individual associates with peers who are users of this substance, it’s possible that abuse of high THC marijuana may be more likely to happen. Furthermore, when someone has a personal history of exposure to trauma, crime, chaos, and other similar circumstances, the risk for abusing this drug is higher when proper support and healthy coping strategies are lacking.

Risk Factors:

Being of younger age
Early experimentation with drugs
Family history of mental illness
Family history of substance abuse and/or addiction
Having a personal history of chronic stress or trauma
Having easy access to high THC marijuana
Personal history of mental illness

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of high THC marijuana abuse

Some signs of high THC marijuana abuse are obvious, while others are not as apparent and observable by others. However, the following behavioral, physical, cognitive, and psychosocial symptoms suggest that someone, perhaps even you or someone you care about, is abusing this dangerous substance:

Behavioral symptoms:

Acting in an uncharacteristic manner
Being in possession of drug paraphernalia
Decline in performance at work
No longer participating in things that were enjoyable because one favors abusing high THC marijuana
Spending time getting, using, and recovering from high THC marijuana
Stealing money to buy high THC marijuana
Trying but failing to stop the abuse of high THC marijuana
Unexplained absences from work
Using high THC marijuana when its unsafe to do so

Physical symptoms:

Bloodshot eyes
Decreased energy
Dry mouth
Impaired motor coordination
Increased appetite
Problems with coordination

Cognitive symptoms:

Experiencing the sensation of time slowing down
Impaired judgment
Memory problems
Perceptual disturbances
Poor decision-making

Psychosocial symptoms:

Agitation
Anxiety
Euphoria
Irritability
Oscillating moods
Social withdrawal

Effects

Effects of high THC marijuana abuse

Abusing high THC marijuana is not without its consequences. When this drug is abused, especially in increased amounts over a long period of time, there are numerous life-altering effects that can happen. However, when you access services to overcome this sort of substance abuse problem, you can avoid the following and change your life for the better:

Cognitive deficits
Conflict within and/or demise of relationships
Decreased sex drive
Injury while under the influence of high THC marijuana
Job loss
Legal problems, including arrest and incarceration
Onset of mental health concerns
Polysubstance abuse
Poor work performance
Respiratory problems
Worsening of already-existing mental illnesses

Co-Occurring Disorders

High THC marijuana abuse and co-occurring disorders

Sometimes the abuse of high THC marijuana can trigger the onset of otherwise dormant mental health concerns. Furthermore, the abuse of this drug can make active mental illnesses more severe. Therefore, if treatment is received to overcome a high THC marijuana abuse problem, it’s possible that care may be needed to treat one or more of the following co-occurring disorders simultaneously:

Alcohol use disorder
Antisocial personality disorder
Anxiety disorders
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Bipolar disorder
Major depressive disorder
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
Paranoid personality disorder
Schizophrenia
Stimulant use disorder

Withdrawal and Overdose

Effects of high THC marijuana withdrawal and overdose

When no longer under the influence of marijuana that has higher than normal amounts of THC, a person is likely to experience unpleasant effects as a result. These effects are actually symptoms of withdrawal that signify that one’s body is trying to adjust to functioning without having this substance present.

If any of the following telltale signs of withdrawal happen to you, it’s a good idea to consider seeking treatment to defeat this sort of substance abuse problem: