A 12-step treatment approach for marijuana (Cannabis) dependence.

Marijuana (Cannabis) dependence (addiction) is a disorder for which treatment is essential and relatively sophisticated. A basic assumption in the treatment model is that marijuana addiction involves pathological processes in the physical, mental (cognitive), and emotional (mood) states of the addicted individual. These pathological processes constitute a disease entity that is diagnosable, treatable, and has a predictable course. One approach for the treatment of marijuana addiction involves physicians, psychologists, counselors, and social workers who treat the disease of marijuana addiction. We present this approach to treatment of marijuana addiction as representative of a popular method but not as the only modality available.