For years, a common belief has persisted: cannabis isn’t addictive. Many argue that, unlike nicotine or opioids, marijuana doesn’t contain the same chemically addictive properties that hook users into dependency. But addiction isn’t always about chemical compounds—it’s also about behavior. And for a growing number of young people, cannabis use has become a compulsive habit, one that’s negatively impacting their mental health, motivation, and overall well-being.
While it’s true that cannabis lacks the physically addictive properties of harder drugs, that doesn’t mean it’s harmless. The psychological aspect of addiction—the need to use a substance to cope with emotions, stress, or social situations—is just as powerful. Regular users may find themselves smoking multiple times a day, relying on the high to relax, escape reality, or even function in social settings. Over time, what starts as an occasional habit can spiral into dependency, where users struggle to stop despite negative consequences.
Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to this pattern. The adolescent brain is still developing, making it more susceptible to forming habitual behaviors. When young people use cannabis frequently, they may rewire their brains to associate relief, pleasure, or emotional escape with getting high. Before they realize it, they’re reaching for cannabis not just for fun, but because they feel like they need it.
Cannabis is often seen as a stress reliever, but overuse can have serious consequences for mental health. While some users feel relaxed in the short term, excessive use has been linked to increased anxiety, depression, and even psychosis in extreme cases.
According to Linsey Lunny, CEO of Hidden Strength, “Many young people turn to cannabis as a way to cope with stress or anxiety, but excessive smoking can actually worsen mental health over time. The brain can become dependent on the substance for relief, making it harder to develop healthy coping mechanisms.”
Teenagers who rely on cannabis to manage their emotions may find themselves trapped in a cycle where they feel more anxious or down when they’re not high, leading them to smoke more frequently. This dependence can make it difficult to develop resilience and deal with life’s challenges in a healthy, sustainable way.
For young people who feel like their cannabis use is getting out of hand, the good news is that help is available. Breaking a habit doesn’t mean going cold turkey overnight—it means recognizing the issue and taking steps to regain control. Hidden Strength shares five signs of cannabis addiction:
1. Cravings
This is when a person feels a strong need or urge to use cannabis even if it means sacrificing something else. For example, a person might use the last of their money to buy cannabis rather than food or skip school to go and use cannabis.
2. Withdraw Symptoms
When someone who has used cannabis regularly tries to stop, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. This is a sign of being addicted to the drug. Withdrawal symptoms could include:
- Feeling moody and irritable
- Having an upset stomach
- Difficulty sleeping or eating
- Feeling nauseous
- Sweating and shaking
3. Loss of Interest
A person who is addicted to cannabis may struggle to have healthy relationships with friends or have little interest in taking part in everyday activities. They may also struggle to keep up with school, work, or other responsibilities.
4. Using Drugs in Dangerous Situations
Someone who is addicted to drugs may use them even when they know it’s clearly dangerous to do so, such as before driving a car.
5. Increased Tolerance
A person who uses cannabis regularly may find they need to take more and more of the drug to achieve the feeling of being ‘high’ or ‘stoned’. This is because their body has built up a tolerance to the drug and become gradually desensitised to its effects. This is a clear sign of addiction.
The idea that cannabis isn’t addictive has led many young people to underestimate its risks. While the drug itself may not contain chemically addictive properties, the act of smoking it can become a deeply ingrained habit—one that affects mental health, motivation, and overall well-being. It’s important for young people to recognize the difference between casual use and dependence and to seek help if cannabis use starts to take over their lives.
The bottom line? Just because “everyone’s doing it” doesn’t mean it’s harmless. And if you feel like cannabis is controlling you instead of the other way around, you’re not alone—help is here, and taking the first step toward change is always possible.
