Marijuana — also called weed, pot, cannabis, and bud — is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States. In 2024, an estimated 64.2 million Americans aged 12 and older used it in the past year, according to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. As more states legalize it for medical and recreational use, it’s often seen as harmless — but for some people, regular use becomes hard to control and starts to affect daily life.
If you’ve noticed that cannabis is taking up more time, money, or headspace than you’d like — or you’re worried about someone you love — you’re not alone, and support is available. This page explains what marijuana does to the brain and body, the signs that use has become a problem, and the treatment options that help. The Marijuana Addiction Hotline is here whenever you’re ready to talk through next steps.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. The National Rehab Hotline at 866-210-1303 is for non-emergency information, support, and referrals.
What Is Marijuana?
Marijuana is the dried flower of the Cannabis sativa plant. Its main psychoactive ingredient is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical responsible for the “high.” THC can also be concentrated into products like hash oil or hashish. People smoke or vape marijuana, brew it into teas, or eat it in edibles.
One thing that’s changed in recent years is potency. The CDC notes that the concentration of THC in cannabis products has been rising, which can make both dependence and other health effects more likely — something many people who started using years ago don’t expect.
How Marijuana Affects the Brain and Body
When marijuana is smoked or vaped, THC reaches the bloodstream and brain within minutes; eaten in food or drink, the effects come on more slowly. Once there, THC acts on cannabinoid receptors that are part of the body’s endocannabinoid system — a network involved in normal brain function and development. The brain areas richest in these receptors handle memory, pleasure, concentration, coordination, and the sense of time, which is why marijuana changes how you think, feel, and move.
Common short-term effects include:
- Changes in mood and perception
- Reduced motor coordination and slower reaction time
- Trouble with problem-solving, thinking, and memory
- Difficulty learning and holding onto new information
- Increased appetite
How strongly these effects show up depends on how often someone uses, how early they started, how much they take, and for how long. Per the CDC, cannabis directly affects the parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, attention, decision-making, coordination, and reaction time — and developing brains in teens are especially vulnerable.
Dangers and Signs of Marijuana Misuse
Marijuana can be addictive. Research summarized by the CDC estimates that about 3 in 10 people who use cannabis have cannabis use disorder. The risk is even greater for people who start using before age 18 — one reason teen cannabis use is a particular concern.
Signs that marijuana use may have become a problem, such as cannabis dependence, include:
- Using more, or for longer, than you meant to
- Trying to cut back or quit, but not being able to
- Giving up activities, relationships, or responsibilities in favor of using
- Continuing to use despite problems at work, school, or home
- Cravings, irritability, or trouble sleeping when you don’t use
There are physical effects, too. People who smoke marijuana heavily over time may experience airway irritation, a lingering cough, excess phlegm, and symptoms of bronchitis; researchers continue to study possible links to more serious long-term conditions. Marijuana can also affect mental health — it’s associated with anxiety and depression, can trigger temporary psychosis at high doses, and has been linked to a higher risk of psychosis or schizophrenia, especially with early and frequent use.
Use during pregnancy carries added risk. The CDC reports that marijuana use during pregnancy may increase the risk of pregnancy complications, including low birth weight and effects on a baby’s brain development, so avoiding it during pregnancy and breastfeeding is recommended.
Treatment Options for Cannabis Use Disorder
The good news is that cannabis use disorder is treatable. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), there are currently no FDA-approved medications for marijuana addiction, but behavioral therapies are effective. The most supported approaches include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Helps you recognize and change the thoughts and patterns that drive use.
- Motivational enhancement therapy (MET). Builds on your own reasons and readiness to change.
- Contingency management. Uses positive incentives to reinforce staying substance-free.
People who stop using regularly may face withdrawal — often including trouble sleeping, irritability, restlessness, or low appetite. Knowing what to expect makes it easier to get through; our guide to marijuana withdrawal walks through the timeline and symptoms. Because cannabis use often occurs alongside other substances, such as cocaine, or alongside mental health conditions, treatment works best when it addresses everything together. Building a plan to handle cravings and triggers — the focus of relapse prevention — is a key part of lasting recovery.
Marijuana Addiction Hotline
If you or someone you love is struggling, the National Rehab Hotline is available 24/7 to provide information, guidance, and referrals to local treatment resources. When you call 866-210-1303, you’ll be connected with support and treatment options matched to your situation, including free and low-cost programs. It’s free and confidential, and there’s no pressure to commit to anything — you can call simply to understand your options. You can also start with our substance abuse hotline page to learn more. This line is for information and support, not emergencies; if there’s immediate danger, call 911.
When you’re ready to take the next step, help is just a phone call away. Call the National Rehab Hotline at 866-210-1303 — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You don’t have to face this alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is marijuana really addictive? Yes. While it’s often seen as harmless, research summarized by the CDC estimates that about 3 in 10 people who use cannabis develop some degree of cannabis use disorder, with higher risk for those who start before age 18.
- What are the signs I should call a hotline? If you’re using more than you intend, can’t cut back, are giving up activities to use, or keep using despite problems at work, school, or home, it’s worth reaching out. You don’t need to hit a crisis point to call. Call the National Rehab Hotline at 866-210-1303 to talk through your situation.
- Is calling the hotline confidential, and does it cost anything? Calls to the National Rehab Hotline are free and confidential. You don’t need insurance, and you can be pointed toward free, low-cost, or state-funded programs.
- Can I call for a loved one? Absolutely. Many people call on behalf of a partner, child, or friend. You can get guidance on how to help and what resources are available for families.
- Is there a medication for marijuana addiction? There are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically for cannabis use disorder. Treatment centers on behavioral therapies like CBT, motivational enhancement therapy, and contingency management, which are effective for many people.
- What happens when you stop using marijuana? Regular users may experience withdrawal symptoms such as trouble sleeping, irritability, restlessness, and reduced appetite. These are usually temporary, and support is available to help you through them.