Recognizing the Signs - Is It Addiction or Just Too Much Of A Go

2009.05.03

There are absolutely no rational arguments to say that addiction does not exist. If this were the case then it wouldn’t matter what the substance if one chose not to do it then it would not be an issue.

There are drug treatments centers scattered across almost every country in existence, and there isn’t much open space. The people that use the services provided here is doing so because they have a problem, and that problem is an addiction. If they are there,and its on their own free will, then there is no doubt it is an addition. Otherwise, they would not need the help of others to help them stop whatever it is they are doing.

If the individual who uses weed ,pot, cannabis, or hash for example truthfully tells you they are not dependant on the substance then how do you discern if they are telling the truth  or not?

It is commonly said that addiction goes through 4 steps…

Step 1:
The try it and see step:
This is the beginning for the never before user. Many will experiment with weed or hash oil. Then after a short period of time decide that its not for them. They don’t like the feeling they gain from it so they just chalk it up to experience and walk away from it. Now at what point do they do this after trying it just once, or using it on a regular basis for six months. If that individual can just stop at the end of those six months then obviously they are not addicted.

Step 2:
Just for the fun of it step:
The individual now progresses beyond step one where they like the effects of the pot and figure they will do it occasional when the mood hits them to do so. They have become recreational users. They may do it once a night for the next week, then not touch it again for two weeks. In fact, they may go out and buy a hash pipe, bong, or hash bag for example. So at this state are they addicted because they have chosen to use the weed for recreational purposes?

Step 3:
Getting carried away:
All of a sudden, the cannabis user starts stealing money to buy the stuff. On the other hand, he starts to buy marijuana on the cuff and gets into owing some big money to the suppliers. Then he starts skipping school just to get high. Now realistically how often do you hear about these kinds of actions when it comes to marijuana? No doubt, it is applicable to the hard drugs such as cocaine, but it really isn’t the norm of the average pot user.

Step 4:
Not a care in the world:
The only thing that counts in life is getting high. The user can stand the thought of facing reality or the real world. This doesn’t sound much like a grass user either. To begin with, the weed you aren’t go to stay high for hours at a time. It doesn’t take the brain to oblivion where the user is not aware of what is going on around them or who they are with.

Therefore, when one looks at the four steps to addiction it doesn’t seem that marijuana fits that snugly into the outcome.