Because of the prevalence and availability of marijuana, it makes trying to quit using the drug very difficult. As laws continue to change in favor of normalizing marijuana use — both medicinal and recreational — it is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid marijuana use and those who abuse it.
In addition, there is a common misconception that marijuana is not truly addictive. Although marijuana use is on the decline for young adults, studies show that more people in the same age bracket are believing that marijuana use is benign.1
In fact, many online articles claim that marijuana is natural, and quitting is easy no matter the circumstances. However, this is simply not true. At Skywood Recovery, we know that marijuana addiction is real and it’s hard to overcome alone.
What Does Marijuana Do to the Brain?
People smoke marijuana in cigarettes and pipes, or they might bake the leaves into food. When the marijuana enters the body, the active ingredient, THC, attaches to specialized receptors in the brain. It begins a chain of effects that induces the pleasurable, high feeling, as well as the side effects of lack of coordination, difficulty making memories and learning and altered mood.
However, some people find that they cannot quit using the drug despite consequences of using it. When they try to quit, they begin to feel withdrawal symptoms including the following:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Desperation for the drug
- Restlessness and inability to sleep
- Aggression2
What Is Marijuana Rehab Like?
In rehab, the first step is to rid the body of all effects of marijuana. During the detox process, medical staff will help the patient stay as comfortable as possible. Although drugs uniquely for marijuana detox are not available, doctors may be able to offer medication to help with specific marijuana symptoms like anxiety and insomnia. Marijuana withdrawal symptoms tend to subside after about a week.
Therefore, the goal of most therapy programs is to help the patient learn new habits and behaviors in order to stay away from marijuana and other drugs.
Marijuana and Multi-drug Use
Marijuana is often known as a gateway drug. Although this is somewhat of a misnomer — as many people use only marijuana and never begin using harder drugs — a high percentage of people who use marijuana also use other drugs.
If a person enters rehab for marijuana abuse and is also using other drugs, it is important to disclose all substances of abuse so that a treatment plan can be properly tailored to the patient’s needs. Also, addiction to other drugs may allow for more medications to assist with detox.
Talk Therapy
Talk therapy is a major component to any addiction treatment plan. In counseling sessions, the patient will learn more about his or her addiction and how it changes the brain functioning as well as cognitive processes.
The following questions are common in a session:
- What time of day are you tempted to use drugs?
- Who encourages you to use drugs?
- Which emotions cause you to reach for drugs?
- Where are you likely to find drugs?
By exploring the unique aspects of their own addictions, patients and therapists can work together to develop a plan of sobriety. Role-playing can be helpful here, allowing the patient to practice responses to common temptations.
Inpatient Treatment Programs
There are many options for treatment programs when it comes to marijuana abuse and addiction. During an inpatient program, the patient lives in the residential facility full time. Patients will likely meet one-on-one with a counselor as well as be asked to participate in group meetings with all the residents of the program or those with similar addictions.
People who have been addicted to marijuana for quite some time and have tried to quit before, might benefit from inpatient programs, as they’re unlikely to find any sort of drugs available during their stay. Other patients who may be abusing multiple drugs or have a co-occurring mental health disorder would also benefit. It’s a way for the person to focus only on the treatment, far away from the temptations caused by home, friends and neighborhood.
Residential Communities
Some people find they need a longer treatment program in order to truly make major changes to their lives, even after the few weeks or months in an inpatient rehab. Residential communities, also known as sober living communities, can be a real help. Those who are in addiction recovery live in the community for a lengthy period of time drawing solidarity and inspiration from their like-minded housemates.
Residents must take periodic urine tests and participate in group recovery meetings. There may also be strict rules only allowing residents to leave the community for work and therapy-related obligations.
A residential community can work as a bridge between inpatient programs and independent living, allowing patients to acquire new skills and practice them for many months free from worldly temptations.
Marijuana Outpatient Programs
Some people recovering from marijuana participate in strictly outpatient programs. In this setting, they meet with counselors and attend meetings to deal with their addiction during off hours, but they still live at home and are able to fulfill work and familial obligations as normal. Regular drug testing is also frequently part of outpatient programs.3
How Can Family Members Help an Addicted Love One?
Addiction is a chronic disease, and it’s particularly difficult to recover from an addiction to a substance like marijuana that is so incredibly plentiful and easy to find. Relapse rates are high with marijuana addiction as well, often attributed to the prevalence of the drug. Families can participate in their loved ones’ recovery by having an open line of communication, allowing their recovering family members to talk about cravings for drugs and their struggle with addiction.
Families can also provide encouragement to help their loved ones stay in therapy. Perhaps spouses and children can leave inspirational notes in the pockets or cars of their recovering family members. Reminding your loved one that you care, that you know beating addiction is hard and that you believe in their success could make a huge difference in the outcome.
Help for Marijuana Addiction
If you or someone you love is struggling with marijuana abuse or addiction, we want to help. Please call our 24 hour, toll-free helpline at the number on this page to talk with an admissions coordinator about what options are available to you.
By Becca Owens
Sources:
1“Marijuana.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, June 2018.
2 “Marijuana.” National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens, May 2017.
3“Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, Jan. 2018.