Changing a habit takes effort, whether you decide to nix a daily sugar fix, cut down on alcohol or stop smoking weed. But perhaps the biggest benefit is living with intention — making decisions that positively impact your life rather than letting habit or addiction determine your fate. By understanding the importance of both detox and comprehensive treatment, individuals can take the first steps toward reclaiming their lives why is weed so addictive from cannabis addiction. Although marijuana is becoming legal in more states, there’s still the potential for abuse and addiction. Many people think marijuana use is harmless, especially because it’s a natural product. While many people are able to use it without becoming addicted or abusing it, it’s not a benign substance.
The Benefits of 12-Step Programs in Recovery
It can be especially helpful if you know you want to quit smoking but aren’t quite sure why. If you’re concerned about withdrawal symptoms or think you’ll need some support to quit, you might decide to talk to an addiction specialist or call an addiction helpline for a few pointers. Therapists can alleviate the emotional factors contributing to marijuana use and addiction, using proven evidence-based methods (or holistic therapies) to treat disorders like anxiety, depression, and trauma. With these underlying causes addressed, you’re less likely to feel a desire for marijuana. Those who are unable to control their use and intake, however, do meet the diagnostic qualifications of a substance use disorder. Now, if you’re more of a do-it-yourself kind of person, don’t worry https://ecosoberhouse.com/ – there are plenty of self-help strategies you can employ in your quest for sobriety.
Healthier Ways to Cope
A good exercise routine also helps to curb the risk of a possible relapse. A great place to meet people and make new friends that’ll support you is group therapy sessions. You can make friends that you both can keep track of your growth records. Since everyone is in the group for the same reason, it’s easier to connect. The motivational enhancement treatment approach has to do with the therapist asking general questions about the individual.
State Rehab Guides
- Marijuana affects the brain, and over time, it can lead to brain changes that make quitting difficult.
- This designation remains despite the legalization of marijuana for recreational or medical use in certain states within the United States.
- Long-term use of marijuana has been proven to have addictive potential.
They believe that it isn’t addictive an the drug can be beneficial when used for a medically prescribed purpose. Studies have shown, however, that chronic use of marijuana can be dangerous, leading to dependence, tolerance, and addiction. It’s pretty common to smoke with friends or in social settings, which can make it extra challenging to quit. Plus, some people assume that cannabis is harmless, so you might feel uncomfortable bringing up alcoholism treatment your decision to quit. Most therapists have training in CBT, which may be beneficial for quitting smoking. This treatment approach helps you learn to identify unwanted or distressing thoughts and emotions and develop productive skills to address and manage them.
Holding onto a stash of weed and smoking paraphernalia can make it tougher to succeed with quitting. By throwing it out or passing it on, you prevent ready access, which can help you avoid slip ups during the withdrawal period. Some people also experience unwanted effects, from physical symptoms to hallucinations to strained relationships. These symptoms, and a host of other psychological symptoms, can occur once they stop.
Dangerous Opiate Abuse Side Effects
Though this approach can be effective for some, it may feel overwhelming for newcomers to quitting. Individuals need to prepare for cravings and potential mood swings during this abrupt change by employing strategies like distraction, staying busy, and ensuring they have a support system in place. Marijuana withdrawal was once thought not to exist due to its lack of similarity to other known withdrawal syndromes for drugs like heroin and alcohol. However, it’s now known that marijuana withdrawal exists although exact marijuana withdrawal symptoms are under debate. Marijuana withdrawal is mentioned in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of mental illness as part of marijuana dependence and marijuana abuse.
- THC affects the neurotransmitters of the brain, changes the perceptions of the sense and mood when ingested, and creates a feeling of ‘high’.
- Sometimes this might involve avoiding or eliminating things that create pressure on you to smoke marijuana.
- Battling an insidious addiction that slowly erodes one’s life, countless individuals find themselves desperately seeking a path to break free from the grip of marijuana dependence.
- As mentioned above, marijuana withdrawal is not life-threatening or medically dangerous, but it does exist.
- Withdrawal symptoms from Spice included sleep issues, irritability, low mood, heart palpitations, and cravings, all rated more severe than cannabis withdrawal.
Don’t Stay Idle, Get Busy
This can include missing work or school, getting in trouble with the law or school authorities, or putting oneself in dangerous situations. There are many ways to stop smoking weed, and not all of them will work for every person. The key is to understand what drives your usage, how to manage your cravings, and then find the best way to quit smoking weed for you. Deciding to combat marijuana addiction is a major step in the recovery process. However, if you don’t take that personal decision to combat your marijuana addiction, recovery may take a little longer to materialize.
Addressing loneliness in early sobriety
Support groups and peer counseling also provide a sense of community and accountability, which are essential for sustained recovery. Engaging with others who have faced similar struggles can offer encouragement and practical advice. Drug abuse and addiction can be scary and uncertain, but it’s treatable, and there’s help out there. There are a variety of treatments available, and if one doesn’t work, another one may be better for you.
Recognizing the Stages of Relapse #
Many people seeking support after rehab may find Narcotics Anonymous (NA) to be more accessible. Outpatient treatment offers the same therapies and treatments as inpatient treatment programs. They often return home for meals (depending on the program) and to sleep. Due to their highly structured and intensive approach, inpatient centers yield the highest rates of success for helping patients overcome their addictions. Thus, patients will sleep, eat, and undergo all therapies and treatment programs while living at the facility.
Detoxing at a facility is also highly recommended for long-term users who are likely to experience severe withdrawal symptoms. Although it’s widely believed that marijuana is harmless, it’s possible to develop an addiction. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), around 30% of people who use marijuana will develop marijuana use disorder. This risk is much higher for those who begin using the substance during adolescence. Someresearchshows that using weed is likely to lead to the use of other illegal drugs as well. There’s also the risk of the possible development of addictions to these substances in addition to marijuana.