What Is Cannabis Use Disorder?

The basics

Cannabis use disorder — also known as marijuana use disorder — is a condition where a person continues to use cannabis (marijuana) even though it leads to serious problems in their life. People with cannabis use disorder put cannabis before important responsibilities, relationships, and their health. They may experience cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal. 

A large number of people use cannabis for personal reasons, but only a portion develop cannabis use disorder. According to a 2020 national survey, nearly 50 million Americans ages 12 and older — about 18% — had used cannabis in the past year. Around 14.2 million people, or about 5%, met the criteria for cannabis use disorder. 

Previous research estimated that up to 30% of people who used cannabis could develop cannabis use disorder. However, that research took place before many states began legalizing cannabis. Legalization may make it more challenging to diagnose cannabis use disorder, since people may no longer experience as many legal or social problems. More research is needed to understand the true risk of developing cannabis use disorder. 

Cannabis use disorder can have negative effects on many areas of a person’s life. It can contribute to problems with your health, social life, or job. It can also add to legal or financial problems. Treatment and support groups are available to help people with cannabis use disorder quit or reduce their use. 

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What causes cannabis use disorder?

There is no single cause of addiction or cannabis use disorder. Instead, experts believe that addictive disorders are caused by a combination of factors. Certain risk factors may increase the likelihood that a person who uses cannabis will go on to develop a disorder. 

Factors that contribute to addiction include:

• Genetics: Having a close family member with an addiction increases your risk. Genetics account for approximately 50% of a person’s risk of developing an addiction.

• Environment: A person’s life experiences and circumstances affect their risk of addiction. Exposure to family and peers who use drugs, experiencing physical or sexual abuse, and parenting style can all contribute.

• Development: Adolescent cannabis use is a risk factor for developing cannabis use disorder. Teens who start using cannabis before age 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop a disorder as adults. 

• Other social and health problems: People with complex health or social issues are more likely to experience cannabis use disorder.

Generally, the more risk factors a person has, the greater their chance of developing an addiction.

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What are the symptoms of cannabis use disorder?

People with cannabis use disorder may show certain signs that are noticeable to others. These signs can include changes in mood, behavior, or appearance. They can also include changes in someone’s relationships and how they function. 

Common signs of cannabis use disorder include:

• Mood swings

• Low motivation

• Spending time with different friends

• Secretive behavior

• Changes in appetite and sleeping patterns

• Unexplained paranoia

• Poor hygiene

• Bloodshot eyes

• Financial problems

• Legal issues

Symptoms are feelings or sensations that a person may experience as a result of a physical or mental health condition. Professionals use symptoms to help diagnose different disorders. Cannabis use disorder is a type of substance use disorder. It is diagnosed when a person’s cannabis use causes significant problems in their life. 

Symptoms of cannabis use disorder include:

• Using more cannabis than you want to over time

• Trying to quit or cut back but not being able to

• Giving up activities and relationships because of cannabis

• Consuming cannabis in situations where it could be dangerous

• Spending a lot of time using cannabis

• Continuing to use cannabis despite it causing problems in different areas of your life, like home and work

• Using cannabis even though it negatively affects your relationships

• Continuing to use cannabis even though it causes or worsens physical or mental health problems

• Having cravings for cannabis

• Building tolerance (requiring more cannabis to achieve the desired effects)

• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit or cut back

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How do you diagnose cannabis use disorder?

To diagnose cannabis use disorder, a mental health or addiction treatment professional will complete an evaluation. During a substance use evaluation, a professional may ask about your:

• Past and present substance use, including frequency, amount, and type

• Family history of addiction

• Consequences of substance use

• Openness to change

• Co-occurring mental health conditions

They may also bring other sources of information into an evaluation, such as:

• Blood or urine drug testing 

• A physical exam

• Screening tools, such as the Drug Abuse Screen Test (DAST)

• Information from your family

After your provider gathers the necessary information, they will determine whether you meet the criteria for cannabis use disorder. Once they arrive at a diagnosis, they can provide a treatment recommendation. 

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What treatments are there for cannabis use disorder?

Currently, treatment for cannabis use disorder includes behavioral therapy and medication. The combination of multiple approaches can help people quit using cannabis and reduce the problems linked to using it. Current research is looking at additional treatments for cannabis use disorder, so more treatment options may be available in the future. 

Therapy

The following therapies are effective for treating cannabis use disorder:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps you change negative thoughts that contribute to your substance use.

• Motivational Interviewing (MI): This form of therapy helps you build motivation for recovery.

• Contingency management (CM): CM gives rewards for recovery-oriented behaviors like abstinence.

Medications 

Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications to treat cannabis use disorder. However, treatment providers may prescribe certain medications to treat cannabis withdrawal symptoms like sleeping problems. Medications for this purpose include:

• Zolpidem (Ambien)

• Buspirone (Buspar)

• Gabapentin (Neurontin)

A lot of ongoing research on cannabis use disorder is looking at other medications, interventions, and supplements, including:

• Mindfulness

• Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy

• Medications that target the endocannabinoid system

• Exercise

Because so many factors contribute to relapse, research shows that it is best to use a variety of treatment strategies, rather than one on its own. Each individual may require their own personal blend of interventions and lifestyle changes. 

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How do you get help for cannabis use disorder?

A person may have cannabis use disorder if they are having trouble controlling their cannabis use. Other signs include using more cannabis than they would like to and experiencing problems because of their use. If these signs apply to you, then you may have cannabis use disorder. 

Another sign could be your family and friends expressing concerns about your cannabis use. Sometimes, loved ones may notice a problem before a person is ready to admit one.

To begin the process of getting help for cannabis use disorder, you can start by seeking support, making healthy lifestyle changes, and taking steps to reduce or eliminate your use. If you think you might benefit from treatment, you can start by speaking to your healthcare provider, therapist, or psychiatrist about your concerns. They may be able to evaluate you or refer you to another provider. 

You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for help with finding a substance use treatment program. They offer a National Helpline that is free of charge and available 24/7. You can also search the online treatment locator.

If you’re not yet ready to get professional treatment, you can start by attending a support group like Marijuana Anonymous or SMART Recovery. These groups are available in person and online and allow you to connect with other people who are also concerned about their cannabis use. 

Whether you choose to make changes on your own or seek the help of a support group or treatment provider, you can recover from cannabis use disorder.

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Common concerns