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DrugScreening.org


 
Study: Heavy Marijuana Users Face Tough Withdrawal
January 29, 2008

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Research Summary

Withdrawal from heavy marijuana use is about as harsh for users as withdrawal from nicotine addiction is for tobacco users, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Researchers drew their conclusions from a study of 12 men and women who smoked marijuana at least 25 times a month and smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day. Participants were instructed to quit using cigarettes, marijuana, or both during the five-week study period, then self-reported on their withdrawal symptoms.

Lead study author Ryan Vandrey, Ph.D., and colleagues found that subjects reported withdrawal symptoms of similar frequency and intensity for marijuana and tobacco abstinence. Common symptoms included irritability, anger, and sleep disruption.

"These results indicate that some marijuana users experience withdrawal effects when they try to quit, and that these effects should be considered by clinicians treating people with problems related to heavy marijuana use," said Vandrey.

The study appears in the January 2008 issue of the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
This article summarizes an external report or press release on research published in a scientific journal. When available, links to the sources are provided above.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Catherine on 16 May 08 03:39 PM EDT
Hallelujah! It's about time withdrawal from marijuana is acknowledged. Professionals in the treatment field have been trying to get the medical field to listen to this for years. Patients report problems such as irritablity, craving, headaches, insomnia, loss of appetite and an increase of anxiety, just to name a few. We're not talking about pot users that smoke once a month or so, we're talking about the "heavy" pot smoker. I'm glad the powers that be are finally on board, it can only improve quality of care for patients. Hallelujah!

Posted by Sensible Reader on 20 Feb 08 11:40 AM EST
Referring to personal anecdotal experience, labeling a study "bogus" and making unsubstantiated conspiracy accusations is than persuasive. All the Hopkins researchers assert is that some marijuana smokers report withdrawal when they quit, and they did differentiate tobacco vs. marijuana withdrawal via the study design.

Posted by Sensible Mother on 17 Feb 08 10:54 AM EST
This is such bullshit, pardon my French. How can they separate the symptoms of tobacco withdrawal from those of weed withdrawal when the subjects smoked and kicked both? It is a bogus study and proves nothing. I have heard many people credit marijuana with helping them kick their tobacco habit. Then if they so chose to kick the weed, it is pretty easy, withdrawal is minimal. The public needs to look at these studies with skeptical eyes. They are often rigged to look like something they are not. This study proves nothing, as many do. Dont be fooled, dont be sheep. As questions, demand real answers.

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