Potent pot leads to slippery slope for some users

Individuals gather around a table neatly lined with brightly colored Marijuana Anonymous pamphlets at Our Meeting Place, 2585 E. Flamingo Road. As newcomers arrive, existing members introduce themselves with warm embraces rather than handshakes — "We do hugs here, not drugs," says one woman as she welcomes another.

Millions of Americans smoke or ingest marijuana, making it the most commonly used — and, in many places, still illicit — drug in the U.S., according to a 2013-14 study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Although many states have now legalized it for medical as well as recreational use, marijuana addiction is a struggle for some individuals.

IT CAN BE ADDICTIVE

About 3 percent of the U.S. population struggles with some form of marijuana addiction, whether it's "mild, moderate or severe," said Michael Adams, vice president of clinical operations at Solutions Recovery Inc.

"People are diagnosed based on their problematic patterns of use and symptoms of withdrawal," he said. "We see the same symptoms in marijuana addiction as we would in people who abuse opiates, benzodiazepines or methamphetamines."

Withdrawal symptoms can manifest physically and psychologically and include increased agitation, depression, isolation, impaired sleep, shakiness, fever and chills.

"We used to believe there were little to no physical withdrawals of marijuana," Adams said. "Now, with the legalization, we're seeing pharmaceutical-strength stuff that is three to 10 times stronger than what we saw 10 to 15 years ago. The increase in the strength increases its addictive qualities and consequently the withdrawal symptoms."

There's long been the argument that marijuana serves as a gateway to other "harsher" drugs, and Adams said it holds truth for certain individuals.

"Although the general population might not have a problem with it, marijuana can be a gateway drug for people who are susceptible or have a genetic predisposition to addiction," he said. "... And while people may not reach a diagnosis for marijuana, it can still be part of their constellation of substance abuse."

LIFE AS A 'POTHEAD'

Marijuana Anonymous member Carolyn (who asked not to use her real name) said she started socially smoking marijuana at 18 to feel included. Her addiction grew over the course of 40 years.

"It got to the point where I felt like I had to have it to feel alive," she said. "I was even stoned at my wedding and on my honeymoon. … I rationalized it by saying, 'Everyone has a vice, and this is mine.' "

Near the end of her marijuana use, Carolyn admitted she would light up a block away from work because she couldn't wait the 10 minutes it took to drive home.

"I lived in this fantasy of functionality and illusion of control," she said. "I thought I was OK since I had a lot of friends, and it wasn't affecting my work. It was as if there was a fog between me and the rest of the world."

With the help of Marijuana Anonymous, Carolyn stopped using the drug in March 2012.

"I feel present and comfortable with people again," she said. "The fog is now gone, and I'm able to look people in the eyes without fear or guilt that they are judging me."

MARIJUANA ANONYMOUS OFFERS SUPPORT

Marijuana Anonymous was created around 1989 in California when Marijuana Smokers Anonymous, Marijuana Addicts Anonymous and Marijuana Anonymous joined forces to form a single group. With roots in 31 states and 11 countries, MA meetings are hosted in person, over the phone or online.

The Las Vegas meeting was co-founded in early 2014 by member Lauren (who asked not to use her real name) after she joined a group in California nearly 25 years ago.

"One reason I organized the meeting was because us pot smokers would go to (Narcotics Anonymous) and get laughed at," she said. "They would say, 'Yeah, come back when you have a real addiction.' People don't think pot is addictive because you're not slamming a needle in your arm, but it can still get very rough."

At each MA meeting, members recite the Serenity Prayer and read the 12 questions and traditions before opening the floor up to whoever wants to speak. Like many Anonymous groups, MA offers sponsors, literature and more at no cost.

"When I first joined, I felt like I had found home. These people talked a language that I could understand," Lauren said. "Being clean and sober changed my life in every way, and that's what I want to do for others."

MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT MARIJUANA

Throughout her struggle, Carolyn said she convinced herself marijuana wasn't harmful because it was natural.

"Well, so is opium or heroine," Adams said. "The 'natural' argument holds no merit whatsoever."

Marijuana has been found to slow emotional development, which poses consequences particularly for adolescents, according to Adams.

"If you're engaged in marijuana addiction, you stop learning about social roles and how to interact with others," he said. "Once they become clean, they have to learn how to grow up and deal with what life brings without using."

While he agrees with decriminalizing it, Adams said there's few valid reasons for medical marijuana use.

"Medical marijuana is a misnomer, and I think there's a lot of disingenuity going on," he said. "For some reason, it's more acceptable to couch marijuana use in medical terminology or issues, but it's important to be up front. If the state wants it legalized for tax purposes, then say that. Don't try to sell it as something else."

WAYS TO GET HELP

In addition to MA, clinics can offer a variety of outpatient treatment and in-house rehabilitation programs depending on the severity of the addiction. Adams also recommends talking to a sober friend or therapist.

"We recommend that they see someone, not to get diagnosed to receive treatment but to get a perspective on whether or not they should seek treatment," he said. "It's helpful to talk to someone who deals with this stuff every day."

Clean for 25 years, Lauren said her goal is to keep encouraging others who might be struggling.

"I thought life would be so dull without marijuana, but I have a ball," Lauren said. "I learned that life can still be fun if you surround yourself with like-minded, sober people. It is possible to live without pot."

MA hosts meetings at noon Wednesdays at Congregation Ner Tamid, 55 N. Valle Verde Drive, or at 6:30 p.m. Fridays at Our Meeting Place.

Visit marijuana-anonymous.org or call 800-766-6779.

* Editor's Note: Freelance writer Caitlyn Belcher reached out to two medical marijuana dispensaries in Las Vegas for this article but had not heard back from either as of press time.