How Do I Know if I’m Chemically Dependent on a Drug?

Question by Soprano: How do I know if I’m chemically dependent on a drug?
I’m very worried because I read a little bit of chemical dependency and seems like I might be chemically dependent.

I have smoked so much weed since high-school like 7 or 8 years of smoking cannabis almost every day. I’d call myself a heavy marijuana abuser. Well, it formed into a habit and habits are tough to break. It was certainly hard for me to resist weed . I would want to take a day away from it but then would be like “eh, why not?” I always had weed at my house for the most part anyway to “help” some friends out.

Well, I really want to know how to tell if you’re chemically dependent or not? Today will be my 7tb day since smoking. I had some cravings mostly in the first 2 days but I was able to resist it.

I’m just really wondering if I’m doomed for life of chemical dependency or if every things normal. I searched around and really all I could find were “12-step programs” that they just want anyone to enroll in anyway.

I probably have a bit of an addictive personality but I’m really having no problem not smoking right now.

Can you tell me how you can tell if you or another person is chemically dependent on a drug (cannabis)?

Thanks so much
Thank you so very much for your responses.

I still have weed 1/4 ounce in my possession, with a vaporizer, and glass waterpipe. I just decided I don’t need it anymore though. If I wanted to I can smoke right now but I’m not craving for it or anything.

I hope that means that I’m clear of any dependency. I think that maturity and responsibility might play a big part in it for me. I feel like I’m making a choice sort of to become more mature/responsible and that’s why I’m able to control myself. Rather than living the teenage life of getting high all the time.

Thanks so very much, I really appreciate any answers.

Best answer:

Answer by …*Jen*…
if you want to know if you are dependent on it or not
stop using it
you will find out really fast
and if you can fight the urges and not do it
then no
you are not
but if you HAVE to have it
and cant fight the urges
then yes
you are
simple as that
you dont need to take a 12-step program just for that
if you can handle it your-self
then do it
it will save you time and money

Answer by SilverLynx
1. Chemical dependance is not merely psychological craving. It’s not a “I’d like some” (when offered some) or even “gosh, I miss my weed!” (where there is none to be had) it’s “my body is going into withdrawal because I do not have this substance”. For instance, we’re all chemically dependent on food and water. Without food and water we go into “withdrawal” – our body hurts, our brain starts to shut down, we are in physical pain. We can even die. Someone who is dependent on Morphine, for example, goes into a strong state of withdrawal, pain, shakes, vomiting, hallucinations – without taking steps to reduce the usage, a morphine addict can DIE from the withdrawal.

2. Cannabis, like Caffeine, only has minor withdrawal symptoms (in fact, I find Caffeine far worse to “get off of”). You might notice a slight headache, nausea, or lack of desire to eat. But this fades within a few days. Some extremely heavy users may also experience their heart beating a little faster, and the sensation of having a panic attack, or feel very irritable. (but you’d have to be smoking pot 20 hours a day) – but again, within a few days, they’ll be “back to normal”. The THC in their system filters out slowly, so it’s far easier to “come down off of” pot.

You sound like you’re clean now. You don’t need a 12 step program (which, btw, is actually a Christian recruitment method, not anything else!). You’ll be fine. Just remember, for the sake of your wallet, and for better enjoyment of your pot when you do have it – partake only occasionally.

*I* am chemically dependent. I take an anti depressant that causes me to suffer “discontinuation syndrome” should I miss a dose (which is just a polite way of saying withdrawal). I’ve missed one dose so far – I suffered confusion, a screaming headache, nausea, exhaustion, and jolts of pain the ran around my head and body. For one pill missed. Apparently, should I ever be forced to not take them for an extended period of time, I could suffer brain damage or die. In order to get clean from them, I would have to do a step-down program over an extended period of time.

On that note – I am not psychologically drawn to these pills. While I sense that they are reducing my depression and stress levels, they do not make me “feel high”. If it were not for the discontinuation syndrome, I could easily quit them today. You may be *strongly* psychologically drawn to pot – and if that’s the case, reduce your exposure to it – at some point the weed dealers you work with are going to notice you’re smoking all their product.

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