Marijuana Addiction Treatment

In recent years, marijuana has become more mainstream and accepted due to its legalization in many areas, both for medical use and recreational use. Common perceptions are that marijuana, unlike other recreational drugs, is not addictive. However, evidence suggests that marijuana is addictive both psychologically and physiologically.

Why is Marijuana Addictive?

It’s estimated that roughly 10% of people who use marijuana will become addicted, with higher risk associated with starting before adulthood. Marijuana addiction has several contributing factors.

THC

THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, which then triggers the release of dopamine which is associated with feelings of pleasure. This effect essentially reinforces the physiological desire to use marijuana, which contributes to the development of an addiction.

Reward Pathways

THC activates reward pathways in the brain, creating feelings of euphoria and relaxation. These pathways can become altered by marijuana, only being triggered by marijuana use, thus leading to a physiological dependence.

Tolerance

Over time, marijuana users develop a tolerance for THC, needing more to experience the same pleasure. This leads to increased use and dependence, which can cause withdrawal symptoms when marijuana use stops.

Psychological Factors

Marijuana use can be a form of self-medication for stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders. Users become psychologically dependent on marijuana for those self-medicating purposes.

Genetic Factors

Some people may be predisposed to addiction because of the way marijuana affects their brain and body.

Environmental Factors

People can become addicted to marijuana if they grow up with access to it or feel peer pressure to use it.

How is Marijuana Addiction Treated?

Marijuana addiction may be treated in an inpatient or outpatient program. An inpatient treatment program may be better for those who experience withdrawal symptoms.

Marijuana withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Anxiety and/or depression
• Irritability and anger
• Sleep issues
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Fever and chills or sweating
• Nausea
• Tremors

In an inpatient setting, patients are kept comfortable through the detox process. Medications, such as anxiety medications, may be used to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.

Patients are monitored during detox in case any severe withdrawal effects occur, although they are rare.

Inpatient treatment also includes individual and group therapy and is often followed up with an outpatient program and ongoing therapy. Many find support groups to be helpful as well.

What are the Most Effective Treatment Approaches for Marijuana Addiction?

Three types of treatment have been shown to successfully treat marijuana addiction.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) involves learning to manage your thoughts and emotions. Addicts generally have thoughts that are not healthy, like “I can control my marijuana use. I don’t have to quit completely.” In CBT, you learn how to recognize these thoughts and use reason to come to a better conclusion.

CBT also involves learning coping skills. For example, if you used marijuana to cope with stress, you’ll learn alternative coping strategies such as deep breathing exercises. You’ll also learn relapse prevention strategies like calling someone for support, or turning to another pleasurable, but healthy, activity.

2. Motivation Enhancement Therapy

Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) seeks to build your motivation to stop using marijuana. This involves facing the problems that your addiction has caused in your life, and learning that with abstinence, those problems can be fixed.

It also involves examining your goals in life or building goals, understanding that your addiction can be an obstacle in reaching those goals, and finding motivation to pursue your goals. You begin to understand that long-term rewards will be more positive and fulfilling than getting a short-term reward by smoking a joint.

3. Contingency Management

Contingency management involves positive reinforcement for doing positive things toward your addiction recovery. You receive some kind of reward for being abstinent for a certain amount of time, or for having a clean drug test.

All of these treatments may be employed in inpatient and outpatient individual therapy, as well as in group therapy. Group therapy and peer support are also very important in the recovery process. It allows participants to share emotions and experiences, to motivate each other, and to discuss coping and relapse prevention strategies.

For some people, regularly attending support meetings, such as Marijuana Anonymous, can help to maintain abstinence long term.

For young people with a marijuana addiction, family therapy is also an important tool. Family members learn better ways to communicate and to understand how to support the addicted youth during the recovery process.

Bridges of Hope Can Help

At Bridges of Hope, we offer several options for marijuana addiction treatment, as well as long term support during recovery. You’ll experience treatment in a comfortable and safe setting and receive compassionate support and care. Give us a call today to discuss treatment options. You’ll be taking the first step on a journey to a healthier, more fulfilling life.