Marijuana Detox

Some think marijuana is not dangerous, but it produces effects that may cause psychosis.

Marijuna Detox

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Marijuana is a popular drug that is known for providing a mood-altering state. Some people find it relaxing and beneficial to health, but for others, it can be dangerous and addictive, especially if it is taken in high potencies.

The fact is that no one knows how marijuana can affect them. Because it is not regulated by the FDA, you may get a batch with substances you cannot trust.

If you or a loved one is dealing with a substance abuse problem, you need to get help. Read on to find out about marijuana detox and other ways to overcome dependency issues.

What is Marijuana?

Marijuana is a psychoactive drug that is derived from the cannabis plant. It is a greenish-gray mixture of dried flowers sourced from cannabis sativa.1 Marijuana can be consumed in many ways. It can be smoked in a pipe, cigarette, blunt, or bong. It can be brewed in teas, and it can be baked into edible products. It can also be inhaled through a vaporizer.

Stronger forms of marijuana are also available. These include sinsemilla and concentrated resins like has oil, budder, and shatter.

The drug’s intoxicating effects come from its delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content which is found in the leaves and buds of the female cannabis plant. It also contains other compounds, called cannabinoids, which are responsible for its effects.

Street Names

Marijuana has several street names including the following:

How Common is Marijuana Use?

Approximately 22.2 million people in the United States use marijuana, making it the most used illegal drug in America (although it is not illegal in all states).2

Negative Side Effects for Marijuana Use

Many people do not think marijuana is that bad. Some even find it beneficial. However, it directly affects the brain resulting in negative side effects including the following.

Short-Term Effects

Long-Term Effects

How Marijuana Induces Psychosis

Marijuana use is increasing across that country and cannabis-related emergency room visits are going up right along with it. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration revealed that there was an estimated total of illegal drug-related emergency hospital visits in 2011 with 455,668 attributed to marijuana use.3

In subsequent years, numbers have continued to rise as more states are legalizing the use of cannabis.

Cannabis increases the risk of psychotic episodes, and that risk goes up with extended periods of use and doses taken. When a lot of weed is consumed, it leads to increased dopamine levels in the body and increased reuptake inhibition, which plays a role in the development of cannabis-induced psychosis.

Studies have also revealed the CIP may contribute to early-onset schizophrenia.

Drug-Induced Psychosis Symptoms

Drug-induced psychosis may come on when someone is under the influence of a drug, or it may happen during withdrawal. In some instances, it may occur suddenly, when a person is not intoxicated.

Any drug that affects the brain has the potential to produce psychosis. Symptoms to look out for include the following:4

  • Paranoia
  • Dangerous behavior
  • Hallucination
  • Delusions
  • A disconnection with reality
 

Psychosis usually goes away when the drug leaves the body. However, if more powerful drugs are taken, it can last longer, sometimes for several weeks.

Drugs may also trigger underlying mental issues bringing out symptoms of schizophrenia or bipolar disorders.

The Dangers of High Potency Marijuana

The use of high potency marijuana is particularly dangerous. These are strains of marijuana that contain very high levels of THC. They are usually sourced when extracted from the plant as a sticky oil which is later mixed into an edible.

Taking high potency marijuana can produce the following side effects:

  • Impaired coordination
  • Lethargy
  • Distortions
  • Cognitive issues
  • Difficulty perceiving time and space
  • Delayed reaction
  • Poor judgment
  • Memory issues
  • Paranoia
  • Agitation
  • Irritability
  • Mood swings
 

However, perhaps the most dangerous factor in taking high potency marijuana is that it can cause an inability to control the amount and frequency at which the drug is being used. It can cause the individual to need to take more of the drug more to get the same results. It can cause withdrawal symptoms when it is not being used.

These are all signs of addiction and marijuana detox may be necessary.

Treatment for Marijuana Use Disorder

Weed can be dangerous, but fortunately, there are marijuana use disorder treatments available. Here are some to consider.

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on the underlying cause of addiction and aims to provide healthy coping mechanisms to replace addictive behaviors and negative thought patterns. It is effective in helping people overcome addiction and deal with mental health issues.
  • Contingency Management: Contingency management is a reward-based therapy that uses motivational incentives to help people overcome addiction. The rewards provide a pleasurable feeling that may replace the sensations that make people dependent on drugs.
  • Motivational Enhancement Therapy: Motivational enhancement therapy is made to reduce a person’s ambivalence to fighting addiction. It uses motivational interviewing to help them build a plan for change in the hopes that they will stick to this plan.

Detox Therapy

Detox for marijuana is the first step in most cannabis rehab processes. It involves the patient taking time to allow the drug to leave their body.

During marijuana detox, a patient may experience withdrawal symptoms as their body gets used to not having the drug in their system. They know the only way to get relief for these symptoms is to take more of the drug. This is the reason why many patients relapse during withdrawal.

Marijuana detox conducted at a reliable facility offers safe detox for patients. It involves using medications to reduce symptoms and having a provider nearby to ensure the patient is as comfortable as possible. Supervision is providing throughout the detox for the marijuana process to reduce the likelihood of a relapse.

Why an Inpatient Facility May Be Your Best Option for Marijuana Addiction and Successful Detox for Marijuana

There are many ways to overcome marijuana addiction, but an inpatient rehab facility may be your best bet. A rehab facility will provide both marijuana detox and therapy methods to ensure a patient gets through their program successfully. Then, they follow up with outpatient care.

Experts know how easy it can be for patients to relapse once they get back into the ‘real world’. They may fall in with the old crowd they used to, or they may be dealing with stressors and feel the urge to use to escape their anxiety.

A rehab facility will provide ongoing therapy after a patient checks out to give them the support they need during challenging times.

How The PAC Program Can Help You Overcome a Marijuana Addiction

There are several rehab facilities out there, but The PAC Program is your best bet when it comes to overcoming marijuana addiction. We start with an assisted marijuana detox program that ensures toxins are eliminated from your body.

Once you are through with detox for marijuana, we start our three-phase approach.

  • Stage One

The first phase is the residential phase. During this time, patients are put through therapy that helps them identify the underlying cause of their addiction. They are provided with healthy coping mechanisms to replace addictive behavior.

  • Stage Two

Next comes the transitional phase. Patients start to venture into the outside world but are provided with thirty hours of therapy a week.

  • Stage Three

The final phase is the launch phase. At this point, patients are ‘released’ into the ‘real world’ knowing they have the support they need when they need it.

Many people think marijuana is not a dangerous drug, but it can cause psychosis and lead to dangerous behaviors that can hurt the individual and the people around them. The PAC Program provides marijuana detox and therapies that can help you make it through.

We also offer services for all sorts of addiction starting with detox methods for drugs and detox for drug abuse and moving on to inpatient therapies and an outpatient phase of treatment.

If drug addiction is taking over your life, you can make a change. Fight back by calling The PAC Program today. We will see to it that get the tools you need to move beyond your dependence issues to find the happiness that will improve your quality of life.

If you or a loved one needs help, please call us at
623-523-4748 and our team at Blueprints For Recovery in Arizona will help.

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