A Very New Concept for Most Marijuana Users
by Kristi Caporoso
Among the new additions to the DSM-V, released on May 18th of this year, is withdrawal from marijuana. While marijuana has been growing in popularity among the young population in recent years, a common belief has also been held that marijuana has no addictive properties. A large proportion of the young adult population believes that smoking marijuana is safe and "non-addictive" because of this "fact." However, marijuana withdrawal has been shown to be very real in the adult population. "A 2012 study of 384 adult, non-treatment-seeking lifetime cannibas smokers found that 40.9% of subjects met the DSM-V criterion of >3 symptoms from a list of 7."
While marijuana withdrawal may not be as severe as withdrawal from other drugs, it is clear from this study that it does in fact exist, contrary to what most marijuana smokers believe. However, it may be difficult for these symptoms to be prevelant if the person who stops smoking marijuana immediately substitutes their habit with another mind-altering drug. One former smoker found that this happened when she stopped smoking and immediately replaced marijuana with alcohol. This made it difficult for her to realize that stopping use after being a chronic marijuana smoker did in fact cause withdrawal. However, she challenges those who smoke to stop cold turkey without replacing marijuana with another drug. It is then highly likely that the symptoms of withdrawal will arise. These symptoms include depressed mood, feelings of restlessnesss, and insomnia or other sleeping problems. Physical symptoms can include headache, increased sweating, chills or shakiness. As with most DSM-V diagnoses, each symptom needs to be severe enough to cause significant discomfort or impairment.
It's possible that with the spreading of the awareness of this new diagnosis, the young adult population will think twice and reconsider before becoming chronic marijuana smokers. With this addition to the DSM-V, marijuana may no longer be seen as a "non-addictive" drug.
source: http://blogs.psychcentral.com/depression/2013/05/dsm-5-adds-marijuana-withdrawal-i-thought-pot-was-non-addictive/, Christine Stapleton
