Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is one of the most popular recreational drugs in the world. To a person with a harmful chemical dependence on marijuana, the drug will cause them to feel functional while preventing them from functioning. If using marijuana leads your loved one to get out of control, you are not alone. Contact Rise Above by calling (877) 641-0717 to learn how substance abuse treatment in Murrieta, CA can help your loved one.
The main psychoactive chemical in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It can be taken orally or by smoke inhalation. Side effects of cannabis use include relaxation, euphoria, and loss of social inhibition. Adverse effects from higher doses can include fear, paranoia, hallucinations, ataxia, stupor, and even seizures. Like most psychoactive drugs, marijuana is helpful to some people and harmful to others. Experimentation with marijuana is relatively common, but using it regularly to the point that it impacts job performance, social skills, and general conduct is a sign that the drug may be causing more harm than good.
Marijuana Addiction
Individuals who use marijuana to feel “normal” may not see anything wrong with using higher and higher doses or consuming other drugs while under the influence of marijuana. This is a warning sign that a person’s life is getting out of control. The first step toward recovery involves detoxing the mind and body from psychoactive substances. Attempting to detox without assistance tends to be ineffective, so we recommend that people detox in a residential rehab setting.
Symptoms of Marijuana Withdrawal
Once users become dependent upon marijuana, quitting isn’t easy. The brain, now reliant on elevated THC levels, craves more THC when levels suddenly drop or disappear. This shock to a person’s system provokes symptoms of withdrawal. Some of the most common symptoms of marijuana withdrawal include:
- Anxiety and insomnia
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Excessive salivation
- Inability to focus
- Decreased pulse
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Aggressive behavior
- Headaches
- Sweating and chills
- Depression
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe and differ from person to person, depending on how much marijuana they use, other drugs present, and existing mental health concerns. The longer a person has used marijuana, the more likely they will be to experience more severe withdrawal symptoms.
Why Residential Rehab?
After detox, people need to attend therapy to develop coping skills, heal from trauma, connect with others in recovery, and prevent relapse. Cannabis use affects the brain’s reward systems, so many people in early recovery struggle with staying motivated. We find that providing stable housing, meals, and a supportive rehab community to help lay the foundation for addiction recovery.
Talking About Addiction with a Loved One
Having a meaningful, effective conversation about a loved one’s marijuana addiction starts with an understanding that addiction affects cognition; consequences of a person’s addiction that are obvious to everyone else are not obvious to an addict. Instead of attacking the drug itself, focus your energy on your loved one and how you believe they are not living up to their potential.
Conversations about a loved one’s addiction are most effective when the chemically dependent person has experienced direct consequences rather than philosophical ones. They may try to blame these consequences on others, past trauma, the system in general, or even on you. They may try to provoke you into saying something hurtful. Don’t take the bait. They might apologize profusely and promise to cut back, but if their attempts to cut back have proven unsuccessful up to this point, changing their approach and trying something drastic might be their best bet. Acknowledge that going to drug rehab isn’t easy. Acknowledge that you don’t have all the answers. But hold onto your resolve and encourage them to find a good rehab to kickstart their recovery.
Join Our Murrieta Addiction Recovery Community
Substance use disorder brings a host of health, social, occupational, legal, and psychological ramifications. Contact our Murrieta drug rehab by calling (877) 641-0717 to find a bed.
