Marijuana consumption is on the rise, especially among young adults. While it’s legal for both medical and recreational purposes in many states, legality doesn’t mean there are no risks. Alcohol and tobacco are also legal, and they can both lead to serious addiction. Marijuana also comes with side effects and risks, including marijuana dependence.
Being dependent on a substance means a person’s brain needs a substance to regulate its production of neurotransmitters and other chemicals. A marijuana addiction treatment program may be right for you if the substance is interfering with aspects of your life or creating health problems that require treatment. At Promises Behavioral Health, we understand marijuana’s addictive qualities and can provide treatment options best suited to each client’s needs.
Is Marijuana Addictive?
Many still believe marijuana is not an addictive substance, but current understanding of the topic suggests that the higher concentration of THC in today’s strains of cannabis increases the risk of marijuana dependence and addiction.
Addiction is a disease. Specifically, it’s defined as a chronic brain disorder by most mental health experts. Being addicted to marijuana is not a matter of willpower. Symptoms of marijuana dependence include:
- The inability to stop even when marijuana is creating negative consequences in your life
- Intense focus on the substance and spending an extreme amount of time, money, and resources obtaining or thinking about marijuana
- Needing more of the substance to get the desired effects
- Taking risks, such as driving under the influence
- Experiencing physical or mental health concerns related to marijuana intake
- Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal when usage stops
Is marijuana addictive? If the need for marijuana is affecting your health, harming your relationships, or preventing you from reaching important life goals, you may have a substance use disorder.
How Is Marijuana Use Disorder Treated?
Treatment for marijuana use disorder relies on the same types of evidence-based therapies that are effective for other substance use disorders.
Detox
The treatment process begins with detoxing. The withdrawal process is not physically dangerous as it can be with other substances, such as alcohol or cocaine. However, if a person is also dependent on other drugs, detoxing may be more complicated.
Typical signs of marijuana withdrawal include:
- Restlessness
- Decreased appetite
- Flu-like symptoms
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
In most cases, symptoms are mild and begin to resolve after the first 72 hours. People who consume heavy amounts of marijuana and those with co-occurring mental health conditions may experience more severe symptoms. Medical detox may be recommended to protect a person’s mental and physical health.
Therapy
Treatment includes forms of talk therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and contingency management therapy. There is a strong link between addiction and trauma. People with untreated trauma issues may also participate in trauma therapies like art therapy, equine therapy, and meditation.
Support groups like 12-step programs can be valuable for anyone recovering from an addiction. Peer-led support groups offer unconditional support. Sharing your experience with others and listening to ways other people have implemented sobriety tools into their daily lives is an evidence-based method for maintaining health goals.
Medication
Many people turn to marijuana and other substances to self-medicate mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorders. If applicable, a healthcare professional will recommend medication and other treatments to manage the symptoms of a mental health concern.
Take Control of Your Life Again With Marijuana Addiction Treatment at Promises Behavioral Health
Marijuana addiction is real, and it can be destructive like any other addiction. Marijuana dependence can ruin your finances, destroy relationships, and compromise your health.
Fortunately, treatments for marijuana addiction are effective and available. A treatment program may begin with supervised detox and include a variety of therapies, including medication.
If you or someone you care about has given up on their dreams because of marijuana, it’s not too late to recover. Reach out by using our online contact form or by calling Promises Behavioral Health today at 844.875.5609 to learn more about our treatment options.