Cannabis use is pretty common in the United States. About 19% of adults use these products, and many people use cannabis without issue. In fact, marijuana is often used as a treatment for chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other chronic health conditions. Depending on what cannabis is helping you manage, the benefits may outweigh the risks.Even so, and despite the popular belief that cannabis addiction is not possible, regular use can lead to physical dependence.
Like with other substances, the brain changes in response to frequent cannabis use. As a result, some people become so used to cannabis that relaxing without it becomes difficult. In fact, about 3 in 10 people who use it meet the criteria for cannabis use disorder. With this condition, people are unable to discontinue cannabis despite negative impacts.
Even though marijuana is legal in many states and using it is common, like with alcohol, long-term use at high dosages can affect your health and daily life. Chronic use can affect your work, finances, relationships, and overall motivation. Plus, these effects can happen before you’re able to realize it. This is why considering the risks and benefits of using cannabis to manage health or cope with stressors is important. But if you have noticed it negatively impacting your life and health, support is available.
At Groups, we can help you recognize the signs that chronic cannabis use is negatively impacting your life. We’re here to help you take the first step toward improving your well-being.
Let’s explore seven signs chronic cannabis use is becoming unsustainable and what you can do to turn things around.
7 signs chronic cannabis use is becoming unsustainable
Chronic cannabis use can start to affect your daily life in subtle ways before the impact becomes clear. It can impact work, relationships, finances, and mental and physical health. Recognizing the signs early can help you take action before the negative aspects of cannabis greatly outweigh the benefits.
Below are seven signs that chronic cannabis use may be becoming unsustainable in your life:
1. Work and motivation issues
Chronic cannabis use can impair the brain, making it more difficult to perform well at school or work. It can make it harder to focus, manage time, and be productive. Cannabis can slow response times, which can cause you to take longer on tasks and miss deadlines. Many people experience decreased motivation. Over time, these effects can cause job or academic performance to decline, potentially delaying career growth.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you procrastinating more than usual?
- Do you have trouble concentrating on tasks?
- Are you missing work, school, or deadlines due to cannabis use?
Tip: Setting small goals and using planners to structure your day can help you stay focused. If cannabis is interfering with work, these steps may be helpful as you consider treatment or other ways to stop or reduce use.
2. Relationship strain
Having quality connections with others is essential for a fulfilling life. But regular cannabis use can make it more difficult to communicate with your loved ones. It can also act as a way to cope, making your partner feel disconnected. While cannabis is known to cause people to relax and feel happy, it can also do the opposite. It’s possible to feel irritable, especially after stopping long-term use. These effects can lead to conflict and make it more difficult to connect to your loved ones.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are your friends and family upset over your cannabis use?
- Do you spend less time with your loved ones because of your use?
- Do you argue with your loved ones more due to cannabis use?
Tip: Fortunately, there are ways to repair your relationships. Open communication and finding support for your cannabis use may help mend strained relationships.
3. Financial consequences
Financial strains are a common struggle for most people. The cost of chronic cannabis use can add up over time, especially if you keep using more. Spending a lot of money on cannabis can affect your budget, savings, and ability to afford life’s necessities. If you experience work trouble in addition to these challenges, it may lead to greater financial instability.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you spending more on cannabis than you can comfortably afford?
- Has your cannabis use made it harder to pay your bills?
- Are you having a more difficult time saving your money?
Tip: Track your spending and see what you find out. Looking at your monthly expenses and setting a budget can help you improve your finances.
4. Health decline
Long-term use of marijuana may lead to many negative health effects, such as respiratory issues like bronchitis. Daily use can increase the risk of a heart attack by 25% and stroke by 42%. Stopping may lower these risks. One study found promising results with improved breathing, citing that stopping cannabis smoking can reduce morning coughing and wheezing.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is cannabis increasing your heart rate or blood pressure?
- Do you experience frequent coughing or wheezing?
- Do you think cutting back or stopping cannabis use can improve your health?
Tip: Reach out for support and talk to your provider. An expert can help you develop a safe plan to help you reduce cannabis use gradually while monitoring your health. If your symptoms improve, they may have been due to chronic cannabis use.
5. Increased use
Over time, your body can get used to the effects of cannabis. As a result, you may be tempted to use more to feel its effects. This can increase dependency and make it more difficult to quit or cut back.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you using cannabis more frequently than when you first started?
- Do you feel the need to use more?
- Have you tried cutting back and found it difficult?
Tip: Tracking your use and gradually reducing it can help. Contact a Recovery Support Coordinator at Groups or your provider to discuss how to do this safely. Your ideal path to recovery may include group sessions where you can discuss your journey among people who can understand and support you during your recovery.
6. Mental health effects
Chronic cannabis use may lead to anxiety, depression, or paranoia. Research has found a link between using cannabis in adolescence and psychosis. When this happens, it can lead to paranoia and hallucinations, making it difficult to know if what you’re seeing is really there. Early or frequent cannabis use has been associated with an increased likelihood of schizophrenia.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Have you noticed increased anxiety or paranoia?
- Are you feeling depressed?
- Have you seen or heard something that someone else couldn’t?
Tip: If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, reach out for expert support. You can address your cannabis use as part of mental health treatment.
7. Difficulty cutting back or stopping
Regular cannabis use can lead to psychological or emotional dependence. As a result, it can be harder to cut back or quit because you think you need to use it.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you think you “need” cannabis to get through the day?
- Have you tried to quit before?
- Does stopping or reducing your use feel impossible?
Tip: Seeing these signs is the first step. Recovery is possible, and at Groups, we’ve helped many people reduce their dependency on substances. We encourage you to reach out to us for support.
How cannabis use disorder can connect with other substances
Cannabis use disorder may occur on its own or with a substance use disorder. For instance, one study found that approximately half of people with cannabis use disorder also met the criteria for alcohol use disorder. A comprehensive treatment plan can address both conditions, increasing the likelihood of reaching recovery goals.
Groups can help with chronic cannabis use
If you think your cannabis use has become chronic, you may be seeing signs of it impacting your health, finances, and relationships. Help is available. With the right support, you can improve your overall well-being. If the thought of navigating this journey alone seems scary, it’s OK to reach out for support.
Groups’ Recovery Support Coordinators can help you address chronic cannabis use in a safe, welcoming environment. Currently, our location in Iowa offers treatment for this condition, and we’re working to expand our services in the future. However, no matter where you live, you can reach out to us for support. We can help you find treatment and helpful resources in your area.
Give our Recovery Support Coordinators a call today at 888-858-1723 for more information or to begin your recovery. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups doesn’t offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.
