Marijuana Treatment And Rehab

Marijuana Addiction Treatment

Due to the constantly evolving social landscape surrounding marijuana, it can be difficult to determine if you have a problem and even more challenging to stop using. In the same way that alcohol is normalized, so too more recently and widespread is marijuana, thus, the notion of quitting is nuanced. While many individuals who might be dependent on or addicted to marijuana don’t feel that they have a problem, they could still benefit tremendously from marijuana addiction treatment.

There are many people who use marijuana on a daily basis (such as for medical purposes in cases where an individual has a prescription from a doctor) who are not considered to have an addiction because their consumption is controlled and manageable. Those who are unable to control their use and intake, however, do meet the diagnostic qualifications of a substance use disorder or addiction.

Those who receive treatment for a marijuana addiction are predominantly individuals who have chronically used marijuana on a daily basis. These are people who have tried to quit on their own many times but couldn’t do it alone. If this sounds like you, contact a treatment provider today.

Treatment Centers For Marijuana Addiction

Many people who develop a marijuana habit are able to quit without entering a full-scale treatment center since the substance is not as harsh on the brain and body as other, “harder” drugs. However, for those in an environment that makes it seemingly impossible to stop using marijuana, an inpatient treatment center may help cut out proximity to non-ideal settings and circumstances or daily triggers.

Getting Off Marijuana

Although marijuana may not be physically addictive in the same way as other drugs like heroin or alcohol, the psychological addiction can be powerful. Behavioral disorders, such as gambling or porn  addictions, are great examples of the power of mental dependencies.

More people than ever hold the opinion that marijuana is tolerable or acceptable. Marijuana is legal recreationally in 18 states (approximately 36% of the country) and medicinally 36 states (72% of the country) which has ultimately resulted in a widespread public acceptance. A recent poll shows that more than half of Americans (around 56%) believe the substance is “socially acceptable;” 60% of the country supports legalizing marijuana in all forms including recreationally and another survey discovered that 83% of people believe medical use should be legalized. As a result, the majority of people do not believe that marijuana is an addictive substance when in fact, its symptoms are just less intense and present differently than other, “more intense” drugs. Just like with alcohol intake, it’s important to be fully educated on the symptoms, effects, and risks when assessing the consumption of yourself or someone you love. Misconceptions about the addictive nature of marijuana shouldn’t stop the people who need treatment from receiving it.

Marijuana Detox And Withdrawal?

Some may be surprised to hear that marijuana can produce withdrawal effects; they just aren’t as severe as those of other drugs. The effects of marijuana withdrawal have been compared to those of nicotine or caffeine because withdrawal from any of these substances can:

• Increase irritability
• Cause anxiety
• Make it harder to sleep
• Spur cravings

Other symptoms of marijuana withdrawal include:

• Depression
• Restlessness
• Agitation
• Insomnia or extreme fatigue
• Reduced appetite or weight loss
• Mood swings

Ongoing Recovery

However, there are also those who receive inpatient treatment to kickstart their recovery, knowing that the hands-on care and support is beneficial to their recovery maintenance. Inpatient rehab lasts between 30 and 90 days.

Many people who get treatment for marijuana addiction use behavioral therapy to tackle the psychological aspects of their addiction. The amount of time spent in behavioral therapy varies from person to person but may last roughly 12 weeks. Undergoing behavioral therapy can help you understand your addictions and motivations better. This is a great way to arm yourself against cravings and relapses. With a primarily psychological drug like marijuana, it is also crucial to implement cognitive behavioral therapy as well as other therapeutic methods.

Support groups are one of the most popular ways people receive help. There are many support groups available to those who wish to kick their habit. Marijuana Anonymous (MA) is the most substance-specific support group for this addiction. This group is modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), including a 12-step program to work through the addiction. Because many communities do not offer MA, many seeking support in their recovery will find Narcotics Anonymous (NA) to be a more accessible option.

Other support groups exist, such as the SMART Recovery™ program, for those looking for options outside the traditional 12-step model.

Beating Your Addiction

Everyone has their own purpose for seeking help. Deciding to receive treatment for marijuana addiction can be tough especially when some feel it is unnecessary. However, many people who want to get over an addiction can’t do it alone. The most important thing to remember is that you can beat this addiction. Contact a treatment provider today to discuss rehab-related options.