Marijuana may not be considered to be a dangerous drug by most people, but weed detox can be a distressing experience. A marijuana detox center provides the support people need while they are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. If you have developed an addiction to or dependence on marijuana, call Promises at 844.875.5609 to learn about our marijuana detox services.
Understanding Dependence and Marijuana Withdrawal
There is some public disagreement on whether people can become addicted to marijuana or not. Unfortunately, a misunderstanding of addiction is sometimes used as a green light to use the substance regularly.
The fact that many states have legalized weed adds to the confusion about its potential danger. Legality has nothing to do with addiction. Alcohol is also legal, and it is a highly addictive substance.
Most experts agree that marijuana use disorder can involve dependence — a condition in which an individual experiences withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking a drug.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a person can be physically dependent on a substance without being addicted to it, but the two conditions often go together.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that when a person can’t stop using a substance even though it is causing negative consequences in their life, it is an addiction. Marijuana use disorder is diagnosed when marijuana use is interfering with your life, but you still can’t quit.
Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms
People who use marijuana daily or almost daily for several months or more are at risk of becoming psychologically addicted to the substance. Withdrawal symptoms may appear within a few hours of the last dose.
Detox from weed is not as severe as detox from other substances can be. There are no life-threatening side effects like seizures or strokes to worry about, but that doesn’t mean it’s not difficult.
Some of the symptoms of weed withdrawal include:
- Extreme anxiety or nervousness
- Decrease in appetite, unwanted weight loss
- General malaise
- Depression
- Anger, irritability
- Aggressive behavior
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Tremors/shaking
- Sweating, nausea, and other flu-like symptoms
Symptoms begin any time after discontinuation and typically peak within ten days. The duration and severity of weed detox symptoms depend on many factors, including how long the person has been using marijuana, the amounts they use, and the method by which it is ingested. Some individuals continue to feel symptoms for months after cessation.
Why a Marijuana Detox Center is a Good Idea
Not everyone needs the supervision provided by a detox center, but supervised detox is about more than physical safety. No one can predict exactly how their body will react to quitting marijuana.
Intense cravings, feelings of anxiety, and depression can make it difficult to abstain from marijuana during withdrawal. In a detox program, clients don’t have access to weed or other substances. This makes it easier to keep their commitment to recovery.
A marijuana detox program helps keep you comfortable, easing symptoms with medical care if needed. Clients can also begin counseling and other therapies that will help them maintain a drug-free life. After clients detox from weed, treatment will focus on:
- The core issues that led to marijuana addiction
- Evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Physical and mental health, including co-occurring conditions
- Restoring family relationships
- Supporting long-term sobriety and preventing relapse
You may believe that weed withdrawal is not serious enough to require professional help, but that kind of thinking can sabotage your effort to stop marijuana use for good.
The support of a professional recovery team makes marijuana withdrawal a more positive, affirming experience and sets the tone for recovery.
Find Weed Withdrawal Services at Promises Behavioral Health
The team at Promises Behavioral Health is dedicated to helping clients meet their wellness goals. No matter how mild a substance is perceived to be, it still has the potential to cause long-term physical, mental, and social health problems. Call Promises today 844.875.5609 if you or someone you know could benefit from our weed detox program.