Marijuana Addiction Treatment

Getting Help for Problem Cannabis Use at South Shores

Marijuana addiction, often underestimated due to the drug’s relatively mild nature and widespread medicinal use and legalization, is a serious problem that impacts lives daily. Far from being “just” marijuana, cannabis can lead to significant dependency issues for some individuals – with profound effects on their physical health, mental well-being, and daily life activities.

If you’ve found our resource guide, you may already be aware of the consequences that can come with dependence on cannabis. But we are here to help with support to get and stay ‘off the grass.’

At South Shores Recovery Center, we’re committed to supporting you through your recovery process by providing comprehensive addiction treatment personalized to you.

Keep reading to learn more about marijuana addiction treatment and what we can do to help you or your loved one find meaningful, fulfilled lives free from cannabis.

What are the Short-Term Effects of Marijuana Use?

When you smoke or otherwise consume marijuana, it begins to impact your system almost immediately. One of the most immediate short-term effects is a feeling of relaxation and euphoria – the ‘high.’ This derives from THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which directly and significantly stimulates brain cells to release dopamine.

However, experiences are never uniform. In particular, those who are not frequent users or consume higher doses might have adverse reactions like anxiety and panic attacks instead.

Common Side Effects for People Who Use Marijuana

Other common effects of marijuana use include:

• Feelings of mistrust and paranoia
• Shift in your perception – minutes could feel like hours
• Mood changes
• Difficulty with cognition and memory
• Increased heart rate
• Bloodshot eyes
• Increased appetite
• Confusion
• Sleepiness

When you consume high doses of marijuana, it can also exacerbate or induce serious psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.

Hallucinations: Hallucinations refer to seeing, hearing, or perceiving things that are not actually present in reality, such as hearing non-existent sounds or seeing unreal images.

Delusions: Similarly, delusions are false ideas someone believes to be true despite evidence contradicting them—for instance, thinking they’re being followed when they aren’t.

These reactions typically happen with large amounts of THC intake and high potency strains and concentrates. These psychotic episodes may also occur more frequently if one consistently uses marijuana over an extended period of time (chronic use), and can be affected by a person’s predisposition towards mental health conditions and family background of psychiatric disorders.

What are the Long Term Effects of Marijuana Use?

Long-term, frequent use of marijuana can have significant impacts on your health and well-being. Potential consequences include:

Respiratory difficulties

Marijuana smoke can lead to respiratory issues similar to those caused by tobacco smoking such as an increase in chronic cough, bronchitis episodes, and greater risk of lung infections.

Adolescent Brain Development Issues

Adolescence is a crucial period for brain development. Consistent use during this time could disrupt the brain maturation processes, ultimately impacting cognitive function (like attention and problem-solving skills).

Psychiatric Disorders

Marijuana smoking contributes to mental health issues in many circumstances. While it’s still being studied whether marijuana directly causes a mental health disorder or if it stems from underlying genetic vulnerabilities, the link between heavy use and these conditions is clear.

Abuse and Dependence that Lead to Addiction

Despite widespread belief to the contrary, you can become addicted to marijuana — especially if your use begins in adolescence. This substance, like any other drug, can lead to dependency over time with regular use.

Difficulty With Memory and Concentration

Chronic cannabis consumption may impair your ability to retain information or concentrate effectively due to the adverse effects it has on brain functions related directly to learning and attention span. This can continue even once you stop smoking.

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Contrary to some common misconceptions, marijuana can lead to significant addiction characterized in part by strong cravings and negative effects when usage is halted. Research suggests that this condition – marijuana use disorders – occurs in anywhere between 10% and 15% of users, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Furthermore, it’s essential to note that younger users demonstrate a higher risk of developing a cannabis use disorder. Initiation of consumption during adolescent phases could lead to a stronger dependency which is attributed in part to brain development stages at this age.

This can become extremely problematic once the usage continues into adulthood as it can hinder professional achievements and personal development tremendously in the same way that addiction to any other substance can.

How to Identify Marijuana Abuse and Addiction

Recognizing drug addiction can be challenging, as it often manifests subtly before becoming more obvious. Here are some key signs to keep an eye out for in someone who may be misusing marijuana and developed a cannabis use disorder:

Changes in behavior

The person might show a lack of motivation and seem less interested in activities they used to enjoy.

Frequent use

They’re smoking or consuming marijuana regularly—even daily or multiple times per day—or using greater amounts over time.

Neglecting responsibilities

Tasks at home, work, or school get neglected due to consistent usage of the substance, impacting their productivity levels.

Continued use despite harm:

If a person continues to use cannabis even after acknowledging the damage it’s doing to them and their life, this signifies a serious drug use issue.

Physical changes

This can include bloodshot eyes, loss of coordination, faster heart rate, and increased appetite.

Use of another addictive substance

Using marijuana may lead to the initiation or continuation of other substance use. This could include alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs.

Understanding how marijuana affects both short-term and long-term health is essential to making informed decisions about its use. If you or someone you love is exhibiting any of these signs, it’s an indication that it may be time to seek professional help.

Other Issues to Consider With Marijuana Addiction and Use

While legalized marijuana and medical marijuana can still lead to a substance use disorder, there are other significant issues to consider when cannabis addiction leads to the illegal purchase of the drug. The lack of guarantee about quality and purity is a major concern with illegal cannabis use. Because it isn’t regulated, there’s a considerable risk that you could consume contaminated marijuana without knowing it.

Illegal marijuana can be laced with harmful substances such as pesticides or heavy metals, which have been linked to serious health problems like cognitive damage and respiratory diseases when inhaled. This unknown mixture might also include other drugs that can magnify the side effects or unexpectedly cause symptoms not typically associated with marijuana itself.

Apart from physical health implications arising from using illegal products, criminal charges associated with illegal drug possession can have serious ramifications on a person’s life.

Typical Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms

When you regularly smoke marijuana and are dealing with drug abuse and marijuana addiction, your body becomes accustomed to the active chemicals it contains – THC. The abrupt cessation or reduction can result in marijuana withdrawal symptoms.

These emotional and physical withdrawal symptoms typically kick in within the first few days after quitting weed consumption and intensify about a week later. They can persist for weeks following discontinued use.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Agitation/irritability
• Sleep issues
• Decreased appetite and weight
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Physical discomfort or pain
• Depersonalization

While these symptoms are often uncomfortable, they’re usually not as dangerous as withdrawal from other substances can be.

Our Treatment Options For Marijuana Abuse

When seeking treatment for marijuana abuse, it’s important to find a tailored plan that fits personal requirements. Different levels of care can be utilized depending on the severity of marijuana use and its impact on a person’s life:

Inpatient or Residential Treatment

This intensive level of care involves staying at a facility 24/7 where you receive professional medical help. It includes individual and group therapy sessions and monitoring and support from trained staff members.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

In such programs, you still get rigorous treatment but not around-the-clock supervision as in an inpatient setting. Patients generally spend several hours per day receiving therapy and psychiatric services but return home or to sober living housing afterward.

Outpatient Programs for Marijuana Addiction Treatment

Outpatient programs offer a flexible treatment model that allows you to attend therapies for a few hours in the day or sometimes in the evenings, and then go home to tend to other responsibilities. This is suitable if you need an ongoing support system during recovery but have commitments such as work, family, or school that require your attention.

Regardless of the program chosen, taking that first step to seek treatment is critical.

What Does an Average Day in Treatment Look Like?

Engaging in a treatment program for marijuana abuse is structured to keep you focused and engaged throughout the day. Despite variations among facilities, productivity and a focus on recovery remain the centerpiece of substance abuse recovery programs. Here’s what an average day might look like:

Breakfast and Meditation

Your morning begins with breakfast—some centers may incorporate meditational exercises around this time to ready your mindset for treatment throughout the day.

Group Therapy

Following that will be group therapy sessions that involve discussing personal experiences with other residents under supervision by addiction specialists. These foster connections with people who understand what you’re going through.

Individual Therapy

In-depth individual therapy takes place too, though not always every day, in which a licensed therapist helps address underlying issues triggering drug use. This could be explored through cognitive-behavioral therapy or motivational interviewing tactics.

Educational Classes

The afternoon typically includes informative classes aimed at expanding knowledge about dependency, relapse prevention methods, etc., providing insight into one’s condition

Outdoor Activities

To facilitate physical health alongside emotional well-being, many centers incorporate outdoor activities such as yoga and hiking.

12-Step and Other Support Meetings

The evening might wind down with attending local 12-step meetings, as well as SMART Recovery options. Here, you hear about others’ experiences with drug abuse and the recovery process under guidance from others who have navigated similar experiences.

Every day in treatment brings transformative opportunities and all activities aim to facilitate a healthier lifestyle. Seeking help may seem daunting initially, but it could be the best decision you ever make.

Maintaining Sobriety Post-Treatment

Maintaining sobriety post-treatment is essential for long-lasting recovery. This involves several key strategies:

Building a Supportive Environment

The atmosphere around you significantly impacts your ability to stay focused on recovery. Try to surround yourself with friends, family members, or mentors who support and respect your decision of sobriety. This could also include going to 12-step meetings where you can share your struggles and celebrate your wins.

Engaging in Non-Substance Related Activities

Keeping busy with hobbies or activities not associated with substance use helps eliminate triggers related to previous drug usage. Whether it’s volunteering, learning something new like art or music, or engaging in physical fitness, these activities can fill the time previously spent using drugs as as well reduce chances for relapse.

Continual Check-ins and Therapy Sessions

Scheduled check-ins or therapy sessions provide an avenue for continual support, helping in addressing any emerging issues before they escalate. These sessions also offer the necessary structure that aids you in staying on track post-recovery.

Remember feelings of temptation may occur even after treatment ends, which is why ongoing treatment remains crucial.

Celebrating Achievements

Recognizing personal accomplishments, whether large or small, is a great way to stay motivated in recovery. Celebrations aren’t confined to milestone anniversaries of sobriety; they can include passing up invitations where substance use might be evident or any moment when you consciously chose your health and welfare over succumbing to marijuana addiction.

Establishing a Routine

Creating a structured daily schedule filled with healthy habits contributes significantly towards maintaining sobriety. Having predictability in your day-to-day activities can offer comfort during times of stress and reduce the chances for slip-ups driven by disorganization or impulse.

Avoiding High Risk Situations

Your environment plays a pivotal role in determining recovery success rates. Steering clear of high-risk scenarios—like people, places, things, and events that played a part in your previous substance-using habits–can defend against potential relapse and falling into old patterns.

If you are in a situation where you can’t avoid a high-risk situation, make sure you have a plan. For example, bring someone with you who knows about your recovery and can help make sure you stay sober.

Incorporating these measures into your life post-treatment isn’t always easy, but it’s worth the effort considering the importance of maintaining long-lasting sobriety.

Contact South Shores for Help With Marijuana Today

If you or a loved one is struggling with marijuana use disorder, we at South Shores are ready and equipped to offer the necessary assistance. We understand that substance abuse doesn’t just affect users; it impacts their families too. We will do everything we can to help you all.

Whether it’s your first shot at recovering from marijuana addiction or you’ve been in treatment for marijuana use before, we can help. Our expert team of professionals is committed to providing compassionate and evidence-based care. By choosing us, you’re opting for personalized treatment plans formulated around your unique circumstances rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Treatment options catered to your personal needs are readily available – whether you need inpatient or outpatient treatment, we can help you choose the best option.

If you’re struggling with marijuana use disorder, know that help isn’t out of reach. Shouldering this battle alone might seem unmanageable but teaming up with the professionals at South Shores can make success more likely.

Please reach out today for a confidential discussion of options and get our support now!