Quitting pot ‘cold turkey’ is a safe option for many people, doctor says
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BOSTON —
Cannabis has been available in Massachusetts for recreational use since 2016. But just like alcohol, there’s a risk of addiction for certain groups. So what are the signs of trouble? And what should you do if you think it’s time to quit?
An addiction expert at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Scott Hadland , saw marijuana move from the "black market" to store shelves when the state first legalized its recreational use.
The historic policy change made pot easier to pick up, but maybe not so easy to put down."We certainly do have lots of patients who come to us and say, ‘Hey, look doc, I’m wanting to cut back on my cannabis use,’" Hadland said. "Or, ‘I want to stop.’"Experts agree, marijuana can cause addiction. It’s diagnosed as cannabis use disorder .The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 3 in 10 people who use cannabis will develop one. The risk is greatest for people who are younger than 25 when they start, and for people who use frequently."They’ve probably just gotten so used to having cannabis as part of their everyday life that it’s going to be a cycle that’s hard to break," Hadland said.But here’s another reason to try.Over time, marijuana may lose its "mojo" when some people start to experience the opposite of being high.However, unlike withdrawal from alcohol and other addictive substances, it’s generally safe to quit "cold turkey.""Cannabis withdrawal is not life-threatening," Hadland said. "But it is really uncomfortable for patients."Some of the short-term symptoms include difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, irritability, and mood swings."These can be really impactful for people," Hadland said. "They can make it so that it’s really hard to quit using cannabis because the symptoms are just so uncomfortable."Some experts recommend cutting your use in half for the first week, and then cutting it in half again for the second week before […]
Marijuana losing its mojo? Boston Massachusetts General Hospital expert’s tips to cut back
