Luxe Recovery is a world-class treatment centre in Los Feliz, Los Angeles. Here, we treat several substance abuse disorders, such as alcoholism, prescription drug addiction, and marijuana addiction or cannabis use disorder, as well as co-occurring mental health disorders.
What Is Weed?
Weed, also known as marijuana, is a drug derived from the Cannabis plant. The Cannabis plant contains cannabinoids, which can produce various physiological effects on the human body.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the cannabinoid that produces the high that weed use is associated with. Cannabidiol (CBD) does not have the same intoxicating effect and has become well-known for its purported therapeutic properties.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana ranks among the most commonly utilized substances in the United States, with its prevalence notably high among the youth demographic. In the year 2021, approximately 35.4% of individuals aged 18 to 25, equating to 11.8 million young adults, indicated that they had consumed marijuana within the preceding year.
The Legality of Marijuana or Cannabis
The legality of weed or marijuana use is subject to ambiguity. On a federal level, it is still illegal, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration classifies it as a Schedule I controlled substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
But, there are several states in the Union in which weed is legal and sold through cannabis dispensaries. These dispensaries, however, can only take cash payments because marijuana is still illegal at a federal level, and many banks are hesitant to work with dispensaries because of federal regulations.
In California, using marijuana became legal for recreational purposes for individuals 21 and over after voters passed Proposition 64, otherwise known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. Using weed has been legal for medical purposes since Proposition 215, or the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, was passed.
How Do People Take Weed?
Marijuana can be taken in many ways. It is often smoked, either by rolling it onto paper and smoked like a cigarette or a cigar or through a water pipe, otherwise known as a bong. Smoking weed produces rapid effects, and people can get high within minutes.
Another common way that people ingest weed is through edibles. People will infuse foods such as brownies, chocolates, cookies, and gummies with weed to consume. Consuming weed through food produces slower effects, and it can take up to 2 hours before a user feels anything.
While smoking and eating are the two most common ways to take weed, there are also tinctures, creams, capsules, and patches.
Recreational Effects of Marijuana
One of the main reasons that people use marijuana recreationally is because it produces effects of euphoria and relaxation. It can alter sensory perception, and people who use it may see enhanced colours and become more aware of tastes and textures.
Taking cannabis use may also make someone more introspective or feel more creative. Many individuals also feel a sense of relaxation when they use weed, which can alleviate stress and help them relax. However, it should be noted that while it can relieve stress for some users, other users may experience increased stress.
The effects of weed use can vary from person to person.
Medicinal Purposes of Marijuana
Using marijuana for medical purposes has been legal in the state of California for decades, and weed is believed to have several medical benefits. One of their main medical uses is pain management, especially chronic pain. THC and CBD have shown great potential in reducing inflammation and pain.
A common side effect of weed use is increased appetite, otherwise known as the munchies. This can be beneficial for individuals with conditions that can cause appetite loss, such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. Weed use has proven helpful in alleviating nausea.
CBD has also been studied for its potential to treat anxiety disorders, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and epilepsy. Cannabis has also shown potential in reducing muscle spasms in conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) and epilepsy.
Cannabis may also have neuroprotective effects and be useful in treating neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and traumatic brain injuries.
An Overview of Marijuana Addiction
To many marijuana users, weed is a relatively harmless drug, and becoming addicted to it won’t lead to the same consequences that becoming addicted to a harder drug like cocaine or crystal would, and there are admittedly no known cases of marijuana overdose.
While weed does have medical uses, some individuals can develop physical and psychological marijuana dependence and become addicted, and marijuana addiction presents its own set of dangers.
Excessive use of marijuana may lead to respiratory problems if smoked, as well as cognitive impairments such as issues with memory and coordination and impaired judgment.
What is Marijuana Detox?
Detox is the act of removing foreign substances from the body. The human body naturally does this with food and water. In the context of addiction treatment, detox is when someone goes through a medically supervised withdrawal to purge all the drugs from their body.
For weed addiction, the focus of the detox program is to purge the body of THC. The detox process can be physically and psychologically draining, not only because an individual may experience cravings that they cannot satisfy but also because they may have withdrawal symptoms.
The symptoms of withdrawal can vary depending on what drugs are being detoxed. Still, the rule of thumb is that whatever effect the drug has when taken, an individual will feel the exact opposite when the drug is detoxed from their system.
As uncomfortable as medical detox can be, particularly if an individual experiences withdrawal symptoms, it is a crucial step in treating addiction and getting a person ready for further treatment.
While detox should ideally be done when under medical supervision, it is possible to detox from weed at home.
Can Medications Assist in Detoxing From Marijuana?
Detoxification programs frequently incorporate medications alongside therapeutic interventions to facilitate the recovery process.
However, there are currently no specific medications approved for alleviating withdrawal symptoms associated with cannabis cessation.
Medical practitioners may, nonetheless, prescribe alternative medications to address particular withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, during the detoxification from marijuana.
Benefits of Marijuana or Weed Detox
The process of detoxifying from marijuana offers numerous advantages, both psychological and physiological.
The consumption of marijuana can adversely affect various cognitive functions, including memory, learning capabilities, emotional regulation, reaction times, and decision-making processes.
Engaging in a detoxification treatment can enhance mental performance, leading to improved attention, emotional stability, information retention, and quicker responses to external stimuli.
Furthermore, the benefits of marijuana detoxification extend beyond cognitive improvements; it also positively influences physical health because it is typically associated with several bodily issues.
By detoxifying from marijuana, individuals can alleviate these physical symptoms and promote overall well-being.
Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms
When an individual chooses to detox from marijuana, they may experience several symptoms. These symptoms can include mood changes such as irritability, anxiety, restlessness, depression, and aggression.
Individuals can also experience insomnia and have vivid dreams. Physical reactions may also manifest, such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, muscle pain, and tremors as part of withdrawal symptoms.
Marijuana detox can also cause some individuals to experience cognitive effects such as being unable to concentrate and feeling a fog over their thoughts.
Cannabis withdrawal is generally less severe than detoxing from substances such as alcohol or other drugs; the process can still be challenging for individuals who have used weed for an extended period. These symptoms typically begin 24 to 72 hours after last use, can last up to 2 weeks, and peak at around the 3-day mark.
Marijuana Addiction Treatment Programs
For people who have marijuana addiction, detoxification represents merely the initial phase of a lengthy path toward sobriety.
Following the marijuana detox process, it is essential to engage in therapy through either an inpatient or outpatient program, along with involvement in a recovery group. Some of the most commonly used therapies in the comprehensive treatment program for marijuana addiction are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing (MI).
Engaging in professional treatment that incorporates evidence-based addiction therapies can assist individuals not only in achieving sobriety but also in maintaining long-term recovery.
It is often the case that those with a marijuana addiction may have additional underlying conditions, and professional addiction treatment can effectively address these complications while also treating any co-occurring disorders or dual diagnoses.
How Long Does It Take to Detox From Weed?
The withdrawal timeline for marijuana can vary depending on an individual’s use. For people who use the substance infrequently, around once a week or less, THC can be cleared from the body relatively quickly.
In most cases, testing urine, the most common form of drug testing available, will be unable to detect THC within a week. Heavy marijuana users, people who use the substance daily, can test positive for weeks or even months after their last use.
The timeline for detox can also vary depending on several personal factors such as body fat percentage and metabolism. Because THC is fat-soluble, individuals with a high body fat percentage can store THC in their fat cells.
Individuals with a high metabolism can quickly metabolize and eliminate food and drugs from their system, so people with a high metabolism can detox from weed more quickly.
Find Rehab and Treat Marijuana Addiction With Us
A marijuana addiction can feel like a low-stakes addiction. After all, other recreational drugs can have more dangerous side effects, and cannabis can seem safe in comparison. However, an addiction to any drug is dangerous, and marijuana is no exception.
While it can have medical use, being addicted to any drug, even one that is legal, like marijuana, can still have debilitating effects on a person’s life. If you feel like your dependence on marijuana has taken control of your life, then contact us now, and we’ll help you detox the drug and overcome your addiction.
