Derived from any part of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, including stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds, marijuana contains a mind-altering chemical known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly abbreviated to THC. Marijuana or “weed” is most often consumed by smoking through joints, bongs, blunts, or vaporizers, though it can also be mixed into edibles or brewed into a tea.
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. A 2013 survey conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that 19.8 million people in the country used marijuana. In that same year, marijuana was used by about 81 percent of illicit drug users. About 1 in 3 people in the United States have tried marijuana at least once in their lives.
Symptoms of Marijuana Addiction
Symptoms of Marijuana Addiction
Drug addictions center around a chemical dependency as drugs affect the delicate balance of chemicals in your body. Pot introduces THC into your system, and THC acts on brain cell receptors through your brain that normally react to similar chemicals that naturally occur in your body. These include areas related to emotions, senses, motor coordination, and reward. Long-term effects of too much THC can overload your system, forcing your body to create fewer of the naturally chemicals similar to THC. Over time, your body may need to smoke marijuana to activate those reward centers in the brain.
- A growing tolerance to marijuana
- An inability to control or cut down on marijuana use
- Withdrawals when you’re not smoking pot
- Relying on pot to relieve stress
- Spending an excess amount of time getting high
Withdrawal Symptoms:
- Irritability
- Intense cravings
- Insomnia
- Poor appetite
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Agitation
Effects of Marijuana Use
Whether you’re smoking marijuana or eating it, marijuana affects nearly every organ in your body. When you smoke marijuana, the active ingredient of THC is absorbed by the body right away, while edibles can take more time as they must be broken down in the stomach. THC creates a high, making you feel relaxed, happy, or detached from reality.
Physically, pot can increase your heart rate up to twice its normal rate. It can also cause:
- Red eyes
- Dry mouth
- Increased appetite
- Dizziness
- Slower reaction time
- Altered senses
- Paranoia
- Short-term forgetfulness
- Distorted perception of time
- Anxiety / Depression
Dangers of Marijuana Use
Contrary to popular belief, marijuana (even when used as medical marijuana) can be potentially addictive. Almost 10 percent of all people who use pot develop marijuana dependence. Being addicted to marijuana can lead to dangerous activities, reckless behavior, and uncharacteristic speech and actions that could cause harm to you and push away those you love most.
Research also shows a link between marijuana and numerous mental health disorders, including:
- Depression / Anxiety
- Short-term psychosis
- Schizophrenia
- Suicidal thoughts
Complications of Marijuana Use
Long-term marijuana use can cause a variety of complications, particularly if you have existing problems like diabetes, low blood pressure, or liver disease. These complications include:
- Breathing issues
- Increased risk of pneumonia
- Increased risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular vulnerabilities
- Problems with child development during pregnancy
- Potential lung cancer
- In men, lowered testosterone
Medical Intervention for Marijuana Use
Understanding Medical Intervention
Medicine is an important component of recovering from any form of drug abuse. Medication helps your body work toxins out of your system while also managing withdrawal symptoms and curbing cravings during treatment. Marijuana detox methods include combining medication and counseling is often the best step toward a clean, sober life.
There are currently no medications designed to directly treat marijuana use disorder, though research continues. Some studies consider the effectiveness of sleep aid medications as sleep issues tend to play a large role in marijuana withdrawals. Some promising medications include:
- Ambien (a sleep aid)
- BuSpar (an anti-anxiety/anti-stress medication)
- Neurontin (an anti-epileptic medication)
- N-acetylcysteine (a nutritional supplement)
- FAAH inhibitors (designed to inhibit the breakdown of cannabinoids in the body to reduce cravings)
Successful behavioral treatments include motivational enhancement therapy, contingency management, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
RECOVERING FROM MARIJUANA ABUSE
The Road to Recovery
The road to recovery may be rocky, but cannabis detox or medical detox gives you a sturdy foundation to get you where you need. Detox is usually required for longer rehab programs designed for long-term sobriety and good health. In a supportive detox program you get the medical treatment needed to manage withdrawal symptoms and get yourself on the path to rehabilitation and recovery.
How to Find the Right Marijuana Detox Facility for You
Georgia Drug Detox is dedicated to helping you find and select a detox program that fits your personal needs and gets you on track for recovery. It is important to complete your marijuana detox program surrounded by supportive professionals who specialize in addiction treatment and substance abuse, not just addiction in general. Contact us today at (678) 771-6411 and we will walk you through the process today.