Methods of Treatment for Withdrawal in Marijuana Rehab

Although marijuana rehab is not as commonly heard of as other drug related rehabs, it is present, and available to help people who have developed an addiction to marijuana. Marijuana is the most abused illegal drug in America, and although it may not be as dangerous as other drugs, it can cause numerous problems to occur in people’s lives; which is why people seek out help from rehabs to assist them with conquering their marijuana addiction.

Withdrawals from Marijuana

Every person will experience different withdrawals from marijuana. Typically, marijuana does not have many physical withdrawals, but it is common for a person to experience some psychological withdrawals from the drug.

Common withdrawal symptoms associated with marijuana are:

lack of sleep

Many of the symptoms of marijuana withdrawal, such as insomnia, can be treated with behavioral therapy.

  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Loss of appetite
  • Mood swings.

Many people who stop using marijuana experience intense cravings for the drug, which in addition to the withdrawal symptoms makes it extremely difficult for people to stay away from the drug.

Methods of Treatment for Marijuana Withdrawal

There is not a specific medication out there that helps people deal with marijuana withdrawal. Instead the majority of marijuana rehabs will use therapy sessions and may prescribe a person medication that will help them deal with the psychological effects of the drug such as anxiety and depression.

According to www.drugabuse.gov, behavioral interventions, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational have proven to be effective in treating marijuana addiction. Although no medications are currently available, recent discoveries about the workings of the endocannabinoid system offer promise for the development of medications to ease withdrawal, block the intoxicating effects of marijuana, and prevent relapse.

Another therapy typically used to treat marijuana addiction is behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy will help a person recondition their way of thinking and focus on creating new behavioral patterns for a person to enjoy doing rather than smoking marijuana. Many people smoke marijuana because they are bored or because they want to relax. Behavioral therapy will help a person find new ways of dealing with their reasons behind smoking marijuana, ultimately leading them to a healthier lifestyle.

The long term effects of marijuana can cause many health concerns despite popular belief and they do not just affect a person’s physical body but also their mentality, which can lead to problems in a person’s relationships with friends, family and coworkers.

Health concerns from marijuana usage include:

  • Heart Attack: Marijuana increases a person’s heart rate by up to 100 percent and can cause irregular beating.
  • Lung Problems: Marijuana can lead to lung cancer from its carcinogenic toxins and can cause a person more lung illnesses, such as pneumonia.

In addition, marijuana usage has been linked to mental illness. According to www.drugabuse.gov, a number of studies have shown an association between chronic marijuana use and mental illness. High doses of marijuana can produce a temporary psychotic reaction (involving hallucinations and paranoia) in some users, and using marijuana can worsen the course of illness in patients with schizophrenia. A series of large prospective studies also showed a link between marijuana use and later development of psychosis.

Marijuana rehab will help a person overcome their addiction and provide them with education, support, and resources they need to stop using the drug.

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