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Cannabis Addiction More Serious Than Many College Students Believe, Expert Warns
As spring arrives at Brown University and trees begin to blossom across College Hill, another type of green will soon make its appearance. The upcoming April 20 celebration—a day widely recognized for cannabis consumption—will likely bring the familiar haze across the Main Green as students participate in what has become an annual tradition.
However, behind the casual nature of these gatherings lies a concerning misconception about cannabis that appears widespread among college students: the belief that while cannabis users can develop dependency, marijuana isn’t truly “addictive” in the same way as other substances.
Jane Metrik, a professor of behavioral and social sciences and of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown who specializes in cannabis research, offers a stark correction to this belief. “The short answer is that it is quite addictive,” she stated plainly.
According to Metrik, cannabis use disorder is officially recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), and individuals who develop dependence on cannabis can exhibit the same 11 symptoms used to identify addiction across all addictive substances. What differentiates cannabis, Metrik explains, is that “those consequences are maybe more subtle” than with other substances.
This subtlety contributes significantly to misconceptions about cannabis’s addictive potential. Several Brown students interviewed expressed variations of this belief. Sophomore Anika Mahns described cannabis as potentially addictive “but not in the typical way,” viewing it more as a “social dependency.” Fellow student Anie Udobong similarly expressed that cannabis addiction “manifests a bit differently from other drugs.”
Metrik attributes these misconceptions partly to cannabis’s relatively low risk of fatality compared to substances like alcohol or opiates. “There’s not a lethal dose of cannabis,” she noted, which can lead people to underestimate its potential for dependency.
The statistics paint a concerning picture. National data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reveals that approximately 23% of U.S. adults used cannabis in the past year, with about a third of those users meeting criteria for cannabis use disorder. Metrik explained that “to meet the lowest threshold for a mild substance use disorder, you only need to meet criteria of two out of 11 symptoms.”
Another factor contributing to the misunderstanding is the evolving potency of cannabis products. Metrik suggested that beliefs about cannabis being minimally addictive might stem from “historically, it’s been a less potent drug compared to what we have now.” Today’s cannabis products often contain significantly higher concentrations of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive component, than those from previous decades.
Brown students demonstrated awareness that responsible cannabis use requires mindfulness about frequency, environment, and consumption method. Mahns noted that different consumption methods can influence addiction potential: “If you have a pen (or even) a bong, the more you own, the more you use it.” Freshman Bogomil Kissiov suggested that safe cannabis use is possible if it remains “infrequent and very deliberate.”
Approaching the issue from a harm reduction perspective, Metrik offers several practical recommendations for students who choose to use cannabis. She advises against daily use and suggests avoiding high-THC products. For first-time users, she particularly cautions against edibles, as they make it difficult to control dosage: “Once you got it, it’s in the system, and you’re stuck with it.”
As the traditional April 20 celebration approaches at Brown and on campuses nationwide, Metrik hopes students will consider their safety and “listen to some of this messaging to reduce some of the risks associated with cannabis use.”
The growing legalization movement across the United States has contributed to cannabis’s increasing social acceptance, but experts warn that this normalization shouldn’t obscure the potential risks of regular use, particularly for young adults whose brains are still developing. While cannabis may not carry the same immediate dangers as some other substances, the scientific consensus increasingly recognizes its potential for problematic use patterns that meet established criteria for addiction.
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9 Comments
This is an important correction to a prevalent misconception. The recognition of cannabis use disorder in the DSM-5 underscores that it can indeed be highly addictive for some individuals, despite the widespread perception of it being relatively harmless.
Thanks for sharing this expert insight. It’s important to be aware of the potential for cannabis dependence, even if the addiction may manifest differently than with other drugs. Nuance and fact-checking are key when discussing these topics.
Agreed, this article provides a helpful counterpoint to the common misconception that cannabis cannot be addictive. Recognizing the scope of the issue is the first step toward addressing it effectively.
The findings from this cannabis research are quite sobering. It’s a good reminder that even substances often viewed as relatively benign can still carry significant risks of dependence and negative impacts, especially for vulnerable populations like college students.
This is a timely and important fact check. With cannabis becoming more widely accessible, it’s critical that we have an accurate, science-based understanding of its addictive potential, rather than relying on myths or casual assumptions.
The expert’s warning about the serious nature of cannabis addiction, even among college students, is a sobering reminder that we need to approach this issue with care and an open mind to the latest scientific research. Fact-checking is crucial.
This is an interesting perspective. Cannabis addiction is a complex issue, with many factors at play. While some may view it as less serious than other substances, the science seems to indicate it can be quite addictive for certain individuals.
While the casual use of cannabis may be accepted in some circles, this article highlights the need to take the issue of addiction more seriously. The expert perspective provides a valuable counterpoint to the common dismissal of cannabis as non-addictive.
Absolutely. Approaching cannabis use with a clear-eyed, evidence-based perspective is essential, even as societal attitudes evolve. Fact-checking and nuanced discussion are key to addressing the complexities of this issue.