There is a false belief that marijuana isn’t addictive and therefore can’t cause withdrawal symptoms when usage stops. However, long-term research shows that people can become addicted to marijuana, especially teenagers and those who’ve used it regularly over a long period. Marijuana withdrawal can be challenging. If you need help with cannabis addiction, call Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida today at 866.294.5306 to learn about our marijuana detox center.
Why Do I Need Marijuana Detox?
Withdrawal from cannabis may not have the potential for dangerous side effects like alcohol or opioids. However, coping with physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms is still a problem.
Addiction is a disease of the brain. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has a chemical effect on the brain, believing that it needs the substance to function. The changes in brain chemistry can prompt mental health issues and uncontrollable cravings to use the drug.
Your body stores THC in its fat cells, which makes withdrawal even more difficult. It takes longer to detox from marijuana compared to many other substances. In fact, THC may still be present in the body up to several months after the last use.
The Symptoms of THC Detox
The experience of withdrawal is different for every person. The length and amount of drug use can affect the severity of symptoms, as well as the patient’s mental and physical health. The longer someone uses marijuana, the more tolerance their body builds to the drug’s effects. This challenge is part of the dependency cycle. As they need larger doses of the drug to reach the desired effect, their potential for difficult withdrawal symptoms increases.
Withdrawal symptoms may include the following:
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Shaking/tremors
- Inability to focus
- Headaches
- Restlessness
- Intense cravings
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea/stomach pain or cramps
- Excessive sweating
- Coughing
- Dysphoria (general unease)
Symptoms are similar to tobacco withdrawal, leaving a person feeling quite sick while not being life-threatening. Most symptoms of cannabis withdrawal dissipate in a few weeks, but it can take many months for them to disappear completely.
Factors That Affect Withdrawal
The list of potential withdrawal symptoms is long, but not every person will experience every symptom. Factors that affect the process include:
- Frequency of use
- Length of use
- Consumption rate
- Ability to handle stress
- General health
- Metabolism
Because THC is stored in fat cells, and women’s bodies generally have a higher fat content than men’s, marijuana withdrawal may be more difficult for females.
How Can a Marijuana Detox Center Help?
You don’t need to go the road alone. There are many ways a marijuana detox center can help you or a loved one overcome your addiction to cannabis.
Medical Assistance
Keeping patients safe and healthy as they detox is the first priority of a detox center. In addition to providing 24-hour medical monitoring, a detox center will also offer pharmacological therapy to help ease the symptoms of THC detox and control cravings. Staying comfortable, supported, and cared for during detox creates a stronger foundation for transitioning to a recovery program.
Medical Supervision
If you have been using cannabis for pain or mental-health management, it is even more important to have medical supervision during detox. The medical staff at a detox center can provide alternative medications to manage your co-occurring issues more constructively. By entering a marijuana detox center, you give yourself the best opportunity to stay drug-free once the detox process is complete.
Seek Treatment at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida Today
Marijuana addiction is a severe problem and should be treated like one. It can be especially dangerous for teens and tweens whose brains are still developing. A specialized marijuana detox program like the one at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida may be the answer. Call 866.294.5306 to learn more about the treatment options available and our cannabis detox services.
