Cannabis Use Disorder: A NYSHIP Member’s Guide to Signs, Risks, and Treatment

By NYSHIP Detox Editorial Team · Published 2026-06-12 · Medically reviewed by Bradley Tourtlotte, MD

With cannabis now legal for adult recreational use in New York, its potential for misuse is often underestimated. Cannabis use disorder — the clinical term for problematic cannabis use that continues despite real harm — affects roughly 9 percent of people who use cannabis over their lifetime, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). For New York State and government employees enrolled in NYSHIP or the Empire Plan, understanding this condition matters: it is more common than many people assume, and effective, covered treatment options exist.

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

What Is Cannabis Use Disorder?

Cannabis use disorder occurs when cannabis use creates significant impairment or distress and continues despite those consequences. It exists on a spectrum from mild to severe, and — contrary to a common misconception — it does involve a recognized form of physical dependence for regular, heavy users. Common signs include:

• Using cannabis more frequently or in larger amounts than intended
• Difficulty cutting back despite wanting to
• Spending significant time obtaining, using, or recovering from cannabis use
• Strong cravings between uses
• Continued use despite problems at work, school, home, or in relationships
• Giving up activities that were once important in order to use
• Needing to use more to achieve the same effect (tolerance)
• Experiencing irritability, sleep difficulty, anxiety, or decreased appetite when stopping (withdrawal)

Cannabis withdrawal syndrome is a recognized clinical diagnosis. While rarely dangerous, withdrawal symptoms — including irritability, restlessness, insomnia, and loss of appetite — can make stopping difficult without support, particularly for people who have used heavily for a prolonged period.

Health Risks of Heavy Cannabis Use

The health effects of cannabis depend on how much is used, how often, and at what age use begins. NIDA’s research on marijuana documents a range of risks associated with heavy or long-term use, including:

• Mental health: Regular high-potency cannabis use is associated with increased risk of anxiety, depression, and — particularly when use begins in adolescence — psychosis or schizophrenia in people with a genetic predisposition.
• Cognitive effects: Heavy daily use can impair working memory, attention, and executive function during active use, with more lasting effects documented when use begins in adolescence.
• Respiratory health: Smoking cannabis regularly carries respiratory risks, including chronic bronchitis.
• Workplace performance: Impaired judgment, slowed reaction time, and memory difficulties can affect safety and professional performance — a meaningful concern for state employees in safety-sensitive roles.

The potency of cannabis products available today is markedly higher than a generation ago. Products widely available in New York’s legal dispensaries can contain THC concentrations far above historical norms, which can accelerate the development of dependence and increase the severity of withdrawal.

Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions

Cannabis use disorder and mental health conditions frequently coexist. People living with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or ADHD sometimes use cannabis in an attempt to manage symptoms — and while it may offer short-term relief, heavy use often worsens the underlying conditions over time and can complicate treatment. Dual diagnosis treatment — which addresses both the substance use disorder and any co-occurring mental health condition together — is the recommended clinical standard in these situations. Treating one dimension while leaving the other unaddressed typically produces incomplete and unstable results.

Treatment Approaches That Work

No medication is currently FDA-approved specifically for cannabis use disorder, but behavioral treatments have demonstrated real effectiveness. According to NIDA’s treatment research, the most evidence-supported approaches include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and address the thoughts, beliefs, and situations that trigger use, and builds practical coping skills for high-risk moments.
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET): A brief, structured approach that helps individuals clarify their own reasons for change and strengthen commitment to treatment goals.
• Contingency Management: Uses positive reinforcement to support abstinence milestones, and has shown particularly strong results in outpatient settings.

For most people with cannabis use disorder, outpatient treatment — including standard outpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), or partial hospitalization (PHP) — is clinically appropriate. The right level of care depends on the severity of use, any co-occurring conditions, and individual circumstances. A thorough clinical assessment is the most reliable way to determine fit.

How NYSHIP and the Empire Plan Cover Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment

Federal mental health parity law — the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) — requires NYSHIP and the Empire Plan to cover medically necessary substance use disorder treatment, including treatment for cannabis use disorder, on terms no more restrictive than comparable medical coverage. This means prior authorization requirements, visit limits, and cost-sharing cannot be more burdensome for addiction treatment than for other medical conditions. According to SAMHSA, treatment for substance use disorders is effective and available — and knowing your benefits in advance helps you access care without unnecessary delay.

If you are a NYSHIP or Empire Plan member, a free, confidential benefits verification can clarify your specific coverage options for cannabis use disorder treatment before any decisions are made.

Taking the Next Step

If cannabis use is causing problems in your work, relationships, health, or daily functioning, it is worth speaking with a professional. Cannabis use disorder is a recognized medical condition that responds to treatment. You do not have to have reached a crisis point to ask for help — in fact, earlier intervention is associated with better outcomes and a shorter road to stable recovery.

NYSHIP Detox can help you understand your NYSHIP or Empire Plan coverage and connect you with appropriate, covered care. Call 213-321-6518 for a free, confidential conversation. You can also reach the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 any time — free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988.

Sources & References

• NIDA — Marijuana Research Topics
• NIDA — Treatment Research Topics
• SAMHSA — National Helpline
• MedlinePlus — Marijuana
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline