How To Treat Marijuana Addiction
The rehabilitation process depends on the severity of the addiction. Generally, it begins with detox, followed by inpatient or outpatient drug rehab and aftercare support if required.
Detox—Withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person and are generally not severe. However, if other drugs are involved, detox is likely required. Drug rehab centers require a client to be sober before beginning counseling or therapy.
Inpatient drug rehab—Inpatient is the best option. There are short-term options (28 to 60 days) and long-term programs (3 to 12 months). Marijuana addicts tend to see better success with residential drug rehab.
Outpatient drug rehab—An outpatient drug rehab lasts between 12 and 18 weeks. It is common for marijuana users to take this approach, especially if their addiction has not spiraled out of control and does not involve other substances.
Aftercare support—Recovering marijuana users cannot go wrong with peer support groups, such as 12-step meetings.
Suppose they resist getting help or cannot stop on their own. In that case, it’s likely necessary to stage an intervention with a specialist can be very efficient. You can also speak to a professional counselor, such as one of our specialists, to assess whether the problem is marijuana abuse or addiction. Depending on the assessment, they can help you find the best treatment plan and available facilities.
Ask a Professional
What type of drug is Marijuana?
Marijuana is a mind-altering psychoactive substance that doesn’t fall into a distinct category used to classify drugs. It has been called a depressant, a stimulant, and a hallucinogen and can be categorized as any of the three. However, Marijuana most suitably fits into a class of its own because there are no other known drugs that cause similar effects.
What does Marijuana look like?
The part of the plant most commonly recognizable is the plant’s flowers, also called buds. It looks like dried plant material and is usually green but may also appear in shades of brown or purple. Marijuana is also made into other forms, like hash, that can look like sand or a more wet, resinous material.
How long does Marijuana stay in your system?
Marijuana stays in the human body for quite some time. The active component, THC, is fat-soluble and can be stored in the system for months before being metabolized and released. On average, THC stays in the system for around 30 days. But this figure can vary widely depending on the amount consumed, the frequency of use, and how long the person was consuming Marijuana at that rate. Other controlling factors include the person’s body mass, overall health, and nutrition. It is not uncommon for Marijuana to take 60 days or longer to be undetectable in a urinalysis test.
Is Marijuana addictive?
This question has been highly debated, but the short answer is yes. Virtually any drug has the potential for abuse and addiction when misused, and Marijuana is no exception. Like alcohol, the drug’s legal status in many places doesn’t mean it’s non-addictive or safe. Marijuana is one of the most used substances in the US, after Tobacco and alcohol.
How is Marijuana used?
Marijuana is most commonly smoked. An assortment of devices may be used to accomplish ingestion in this manner, but the most common is a simple pipe or rolled into a joint. Dabbing is the practice of heating Marijuana extracts until they produce a vapor that can be inhaled. Marijuana can also be eaten. These products are commonly referred to as edibles and can have more intense and longer-lasting effects than smoking the drug.
Want to know more?
The questions from Addicted.org’s “Learn from our Experts” are answered by Michael Leach, CCMA. If you need further clarification on any of the questions above or have any other questions you can contact him directly at mike@addicted.org.
