Marijuana use is at an all-time high, especially among teenagers and adolescents. While marijuana doesn’t cause severe physical reliance, it’s incredibly addictive.
Its long-term use also causes negative side effects, such as breathing difficulties and an increased risk of cardiovascular issues. Accordingly, if you recreationally use marijuana and find yourself unable to quit, it’s important to reach out and get the necessary help.
Treatment for marijuana addiction relies on behavioral therapy. In particular, people with mental health issues and those without the proper support groups will benefit greatly from understanding their triggers and finding the right channels to fuel their energy.
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Understanding Marijuana Addiction
Marijuana is legal for medical use in numerous U.S. states, including New Hampshire. It’s also legal for recreational use in 24 states. However, it’s still a highly addictive substance.
Frequent use of high doses of marijuana leads to physical and psychological dependence. Though the physical dependence might be less than that of opioids and other addictive drugs, reliance on marijuana might still arise.
In turn, this reliance might turn into addiction, as the drug alters the biochemistry of the brain.
How Marijuana Works
The main chemical in marijuana is THC. Its chemical structure is similar to the neurotransmitter, anandamide. Accordingly, THC functions as a neurotransmitter, binding to cannabinoid receptors.
When these receptors are activated, they produce the analgesic and euphoric effects of marijuana.
Over time, the expression of the endogenous neurotransmitter decreases, as the body accumulates to the constant presence of THC. Then, quitting marijuana becomes exceedingly difficult due to physical dependence, which can lead to addiction.
Risks for Marijuana Addiction
While marijuana causes physical reliance through long-term use, there are some risk factors for the negative behavior associated with substance abuse and addiction. These include the following:
Frequency of Use
The more you use marijuana, the more your body gets used to the presence of THC. People with marijuana addiction typically consume larger amounts of marijuana more frequently, nearly daily.
Additionally, adolescents are more likely to become dependent on lower doses of marijuana.
Psychological Conditions
Certain populations are at higher risk of developing marijuana addiction, even when using low doses of marijuana. These include people with:
- Previous substance abuse problems
- Family history of substance abuse
- Mental health disorders
- Personality disorders
Social circumstances also play a major role in addiction. Peer pressure can significantly increase the risk of developing substance abuse disorders, especially in the absence of social support.
Rising Marijuana Potency
Marijuana products, even legalized ones, have been rising in potency over the last decade. Paired with the high availability of marijuana products and THC concentrates, you or your loved ones might believe you’re consuming a sensible amount of marijuana, only to become accidentally dependent on the product.
Symptoms of Marijuana Addiction
The symptoms of marijuana use disorder are rather discreet. That’s because using marijuana recreationally is usually socially acceptable, and obtaining marijuana is simple.
For this reason, only people who use marijuana will be able to accurately assess if they have a problem with the substance.
Still, if you or your loved one are suffering from dependence on marijuana, you might notice the following:
- Requiring higher doses of THC to get the same “high”
- Intense cravings for marijuana
- Spending a lot of time using marijuana, even when socially unacceptable
- Abandoning once enjoyable activities to use marijuana
- Using marijuana in risky situations, such as driving
- Trying and failing to quit marijuana
- Exhibiting behavioral problems due to marijuana use
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
Prevalence of Marijuana Addiction in New Hampshire
Marijuana use is highly prevalent in New Hampshire. In particular, the rate of marijuana use among students and adolescents is significantly higher in New Hampshire than in other states, with about 26% of high school students using the drug.
The reason is that there isn’t sufficient education on the risks of marijuana use. New Hampshire citizens have a low perception of risk associated with marijuana. When people don’t perceive an activity as harmful, they’re more likely to engage in it, despite its negative consequences.
Marijuana Withdrawal
Smoking or consuming marijuana a couple of times isn’t sufficient to cause withdrawal symptoms or warrant hospitalization. That said, anyone with a dependence on marijuana will experience withdrawal symptoms.
The symptoms vary in severity based on the quantity and frequency of marijuana use. As for the psychological symptoms, they range from mild to severe, increasing in seriousness in select populations with a history of mental disorders.
Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms
If you or a loved one are going through marijuana withdrawal, you should expect the following:
- Muscle pain
- Twitching
- Chills
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Reduced appetite
- Intense cravings
- Rapid mood changes
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Lack of focus
- Memory changes
Marijuana Withdrawal Timeline
Symptoms of marijuana withdrawal might begin a couple of hours or up to 48 hours after the last THC dose. This ultimately depends on the frequency of marijuana use.
Most of the physical and mental symptoms peak during the second to the sixth day. During this time, people going through marijuana withdrawal will require social support and counseling.
After the first week, the symptoms will begin to subside. However, heavy marijuana users might go through withdrawal for up to three weeks.
Typically, the physical side effects will diminish first, and the psychological symptoms may persist for months.
Steps of Marijuana Addiction Treatment
Going through marijuana addiction treatment involves the following:
Detox
The first step in marijuana addiction treatment is eliminating the substance from the body. Since the side effects of marijuana withdrawal are rarely serious, there isn’t any formal detox.
However, it’s essential to monitor the psychological well-being of people suffering from marijuana addiction.
Some practitioners might use medication-assisted withdrawal. This is particularly helpful for individuals with co-existing mental conditions or polysubstance abuse.
The medications serve to alleviate some of the withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, pain, and anxiety. These are typically over-the-counter medications that pose no risk of dependence.
Psycho Counseling
Therapy and counseling are the cornerstone of marijuana addiction treatment. That’s because marijuana addiction is mainly psychological, and the physical reliance is minimal.
Psychologically based addiction requires behavioral therapy. This helps people with addiction track their negative patterns, delve into the reasons for their addiction, and redirect their feelings into healthier alternatives.
Furthermore, therapy will help people struggling with marijuana abuse combat cravings. It’ll also aid them in identifying triggers and finding the correct way to deal with their emotions.
Counseling can be through traditional therapy sessions, support groups, or both. Support groups are a great helping hand, as they serve as social support that’s often lacking in the lives of people with marijuana addiction.
What’s more, support groups have invaluable advice and are great sources of motivation for people starting their journey. There’s no better encouragement than knowing that someone has been where you are now.
Self-Help
Depending on the severity of marijuana addiction, not everyone who’s addicted to the substance will require in-patient withdrawal. Instead, many people with mild addiction have been able to wean off marijuana at home through some self-help methods. These include:
- Staying hydrated: Water helps the body’s natural detoxification, eliminating THC from the body faster. Avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks, which might lead to a crash.
- Eating healthy: By fueling your body, you’re supplying your brain with the proper nutrients to rewire and start resynthesizing natural neurotransmitters.
- Exercising: Exercising helps eliminate toxins from the body through sweat. It also boosts your mood, reducing the irritability associated with marijuana withdrawal.
- Meditation: Meditation is a great way to put your mind off using marijuana. It gives you something else to focus on and helps you understand your feelings.
- Avoiding triggers: The most important part of quitting marijuana is ensuring you don’t relapse. Since people suffering from addiction are at their most vulnerable during the first weeks, avoiding triggers and emotional situations is crucial.
Marijuana Addiction Treatment: What’s Next?
Addiction treatment is a lifelong journey. In fact, marijuana is one of the hardest substances to quit, despite having lower physical dependence rates.
Since marijuana prevalence is at an all-time high, people struggling with marijuana abuse must draw up a plan to prevent relapses.
It’s important to be realistic during your addiction treatment journey. It might take anywhere from months or years to completely overcome the desire to smoke marijuana. Contact us today and let our team at Live Free help you or your loved one through the recovery journey.
To Conclude
Marijuana might be socially accepted, as many people lack the proper understanding of its risks. The drug might not be physically addictive, but it has a significant psychological toll.
The frequency of marijuana consumption contributes greatly to its addiction. People with mental disorders and those with a family history of substance abuse are also at greater risk of developing marijuana abuse disorder.
If you or a loved one is struggling with quitting marijuana, understand that the key to marijuana addiction treatment is psychological counseling and self-help—and other programs available at our center.
We understand that treatment is a lifelong journey. Let our recovery services prepare you to properly handle setbacks and address triggers. Fill out an admission form today.
Published on: 2024-04-05
Updated on: 2024-04-05