The first step in recovery is recognizing whether or not you have a problem with a drug, alcohol or a combination of substances. Sometimes, though, it’s difficult to be objective when gauging your own drug use or that of someone you love. To help you determine whether or not you are addicted or in the beginning abusive stages of drug use, follow along over the next few days as we look at different drugs and their signs of addiction.

Today, we start with 10 signs of marijuana addiction.

Marijuana tolerance. Just like any drug, regular use of marijuana leads to the development of a tolerance for it. This means that you need more and more of the drug in order to achieve the same high. If you need more and more of the drug to get high, you are physically addicted to marijuana.

Using more marijuana than intended. If you start out thinking, “I’m just going to take a couple hits,” but end up smoking the whole joint—and this happens regularly—then you are addicted to marijuana.

Unable to cut down or stop marijuana use. If you try to stop smoking marijuana, but you just can’t or find yourself justifying why you can get high when you’re trying to quit, then you’re addicted.

Lots of time spent getting high. If you take an objective look at how you spend your time and see that the bulk of it is spent either getting high, waiting to get high, or looking for marijuana so that you can get high, then you’re psychologically addicted to the drug.

Reduced activities. If your schedule has slowly been depleted of all physical or recreational activities and replaced with hanging out and getting high, then you are addicted to marijuana.

Continuing to get high despite the problems it causes. For example, if you have been warned that you will be fired if you are late to work or show up high again and yet you to continue to smoke marijuana before heading into work, then you are exhibiting behavior that is akin to self sabotage and that is a sign of addiction.

Using marijuana to escape from problems. If you feel like the only way you can handle bad grades, problems at work, and escape with relationship issues is to get high, then you are addicted to marijuana.

Depending on marijuana to be creative or to relax or enjoy yourself. If you need to get high before you feel comfortable being creative or before you can truly relax, then you are addicted to marijuana.

Choosing relationships and activities based on whether or not you will be able to get high. If you decide which events to attend and who to hang out with based on whether or not you can do so stoned, then you are addicted to marijuana.

Marijuana is a serious addiction whether or not it is combined with alcoholism or use of other drugs. A marijuana detox after long-term use can mean withdrawal symptoms that are none too pleasant. Recovery from marijuana addiction requires drug rehabilitation. Contact The Canyon for more information.

When did you realize that you or someone you loved was addicted to marijuana and needed marijuana addiction treatment?