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| |  More Evidence Shows Marijuana Is Addictive FARMINGTON, CT -- June 9, 1998 – Preliminary indications from a University of Connecticut Health Center study show that, despite popular opinion, marijuana is not harmless and is addictive. The biggest surprise found in this study, designed to examine treatment options for those dependent on marijuana, is the level of addiction shown by the participants in the project. "It's a common thread that contradicts the widespread assumption that pot is not addictive," said Ronald Kadden, Ph.D., Health Center professor of psychiatry and the study's principal investigator. "What the participants tell us -- and they all say the same thing -- is they didn't know how hooked they were until they tried to quit." When they tried to quit, they couldn't. The symptoms were sufficiently pronounced and compelling so that the easiest course was to continue to smoke pot. "The symptoms are not lethal, but they will surely make you uncomfortable," Dr. Kadden said. "If you're able to stick it out, you'll get over your addiction. "The problem is very few are able to stick it out." Researchers and health professionals have long maintained that marijuana is psychologically addictive. Recent research shows that marijuana is also physically addictive, although withdrawal effects after discontinuing use are not as debilitating as those seen with alcohol, heroin, cocaine, amphetamine or barbiturate dependence. Users who are familiar with the severe effects of physical addiction to other drugs, such as heroin, amphetamines or barbiturates, tend to believe their marijuana use is optional and elective. Psychological addiction is addiction nevertheless and many study participants express feelings that they can't cope or even function adequately without marijuana. Their addiction, interferes with leading a normal life, and needs to be treated. Dr. Kadden's study, which began in 1997, is a three-year project with more than 130 individuals enrolled so far. Participants have an average age of 36, but the figure is misleading, he said. They range in age from the teens to late-50s. They also come from all walks of life -- from the unemployed to the six-figure manager -- and are men and women alike. The researchers found that marijuana use builds tolerance and tolerance can lead to addiction. "Many participants smoked marijuana all day," Dr. Kadden said. "It's a vicious cycle. Because you become tolerant, you need to smoke more to achieve the desired effect."
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