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Many people falsely believe that marijuana is a non-addictive drug. But that’s not true. The main active chemical compound in the marijuana plant that produces a high, THC, does have addictive properties. While marijuana isn’t as dangerous as crystal meth or heroin, it can still be addictive and cause adverse health effects in some people. For those who’ve become addicted to marijuana, it’s sometimes necessary to attend a drug rehab facility for assistance during the withdrawal and detox process. Drug rehabilitation facilities are also designed to help patients determine their triggers for drug use, and learn how to avoid those triggers in the future. People with a substance use disorder are more likely to obtain and achieve lifelong sobriety if they have access to customized medical plans for addiction treatment.
How common is marijuana addiction?
Marijuana has been touted as a therapeutic substance that can help alleviate the painful symptoms of many chronic health issues. While marijuana is legal in some states for medicinal and recreational use, legality doesn’t necessarily mean 100% safe. Some people can become addicted to marijuana. THC in marijuana can cause both physical and emotional dependencies and also cause withdrawals. Using marijuana as a young teen is also associated with certain, long-term health risks. People who are heavy, chronic marijuana smokers can also damage their lungs.
It is estimated that about 30% of people who use marijuana are addicted to the drug. Recreational or medical purposes for using marijuana can turn into an addiction when someone needs marijuana to function normally. Statistically speaking, people who use marijuana before the age of 18 are between four and seven times more likely to develop marijuana use disorder than people who try marijuana as adults. About 4 million people in the U.S. meet the diagnostic criteria for marijuana addiction. In 2015, more than 100,000 people with marijuana use disorder when to rehab for the condition voluntarily.
What are the signs that someone is addicted to marijuana and needs help?
Marijuana works like any other drug, in that the body will develop a tolerance for it after regular use. Users will need an ever-increasing amount of the substance to get the desired effect. If a person keeps increasing the amount or frequency of marijuana use, it’s indicative of addiction. Also, experiencing emotional or physical withdrawal symptoms when a person can’t get high also indicates the person has a problem and may need outside intervention.
Using marijuana as a way to escape from problems or stress is also indicative of dependency on the drug. People who are addicted will also stop doing the things they would usually enjoy, instead opting to get high. If someone is avoiding work, school, social activities, or hobbies and getting high instead, these behaviors are indicative of substance use disorder.
Also, drug use will cause financial, relationship, and sometimes legal issues in a person’s life. They will end up spending more money than they can afford on drugs, neglect their personal relationships, and they may also have run-ins with the law if marijuana is illegal in their state. Stealing so they can pay for drugs is also common in addiction disorder. Unfortunately, getting hooked on drugs can cause lifelong, legal consequences and other hardships in a person’s life.
Using marijuana is also associated with certain health issues in some users. The drug stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, increasing blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen use. In people with high blood pressure, marijuana use can increase the risk of myocardial infarction.
What happens during withdrawal and detox from marijuana?
People who use marijuana infrequently are unlikely to experience any withdrawal symptoms from the drug. However, chronic, heavy-users, and people with marijuana use disorder can experience a range of distressing withdrawal and detox symptoms.
During the withdrawal and detox process, the body tries to rid itself of the chemical traces of a substance, and also return to a state of equilibrium. When someone abuses a drug for a long time, the body will take some time to return to a normal state, and learn how to function again without the substance.
In marijuana addiction, some of the most common cannabis withdrawal symptoms include a loss of appetite, increased agitation and irritability, insomnia, fatigue, and anxiety. Cravings for marijuana are also extremely common during the withdrawal process. These withdrawal symptoms can last for several weeks before finally subsiding, and they occur in about 75% of long-term marijuana users in some combination. Symptoms typically start about two days after cessation and can last for up to a month, although cravings to use marijuana can last for much longer.
Why would someone need professional help for marijuana addiction?
Although marijuana is not as dangerous as other drugs like heroin or cocaine, people who are addicted to marijuana and do not seek outside medical help run the risk of relapsing, or possibly becoming addicted to a different, more dangerous substance. In many cases of drug abuse and addiction, people turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with distressing, untreated mental health symptoms. Reaching out for professional help for marijuana use disorder gives patients a chance to work with a qualified therapist to address the underlying issues present in their addiction disorder.
Without outside intervention from qualified therapists, people are at risk of relapse. Inpatient and outpatient rehab facilities can give patients the tools they need to achieve and maintain lifelong sobriety. Also, detox and rehab centers are staffed with doctors and physicians who can prescribe safe medications for patients going through the withdrawal and detox process. This can lessen symptom severity and duration, further preventing the risk of relapse. Staying in a drug-free environment during the detox process also decreases the risk of patients relapsing, since they are safe from potentially harmful outside influences during this vulnerable time.
If you or a loved one are struggling with a dependence on recreational marijuana, please contact Mission Harbor Behavioral Health today. Representatives are standing by to answer your questions about rehab, and medically-assisted detox for marijuana use disorder and addiction.
The facilities at Mission Harbor are staffed with trained experts to best assist patients with their mental health issues. We are capable of dealing with any and all cases with a licensed staff, equipment, and approved techniques. Our mission is to help those who want to help themselves, and we support your decision in seeking help.
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