Treatment For Marijuana Abuse
Because marijuana use impairs the area of the brain responsible for motivation, it is often challenging for users to be sufficiently self-motivated to quit using the drug. For this reason, motivational enhancement therapy , which rewards abstinence with money for goods or services, and motivational interviewing principles are two approaches often incorporated into the recovery plan.
Individual and group counseling, including cognitive behavioral therapy, along with family counseling, and participation in 12-step or other support groups are also typically part of the treatment plan.
At Midwest Recovery Centers we believe the most effective method for treating marijuana addiction is found through a holistic approach. Our compassionate staff is highly trained in both addiction recovery and naturopathic remedies. Many of our support staff have personally walked the addiction recovery path and are uniquely qualified to inspire those on the journey.
Because many recovering addicts struggle with more than one disorder, we recognize the need to treat co-occurring disorders simultaneously. Successful outcomes have been shown to be the highest when this integrated treatment approach addresses both mental health and substance abuse issues together.
Contact Midwest Recovery Centers to start your recovery now.
Understanding Why Your Loved One Doesnt Want To Go To Rehab
Even though Canada suffers from a strong prevalence of drug abuse, only 1 in 10 people suffering from addiction seek out some form of treatment. The stats are unfortunate since there are many resources for individuals to take advantage of. This includes online information, inpatient rehabilitation, and help phone lines.
Many individuals choose not to admit themselves to rehabilitation for a number of personal reasons. Whether these reasons are acceptable or not, they are often the things that stop people from getting the help they so desperately need.
If someone you know requires rehabilitation but refuses to attend, it may be hard to understand. However, the following are 5 reasons people dont go to rehab, to help you get a better grasp on the potential underlying issues.
What Is Marijuana Anonymous
The only requirement is a desire to stop using marijuana. There are no dues or fees for membership. MA is fully self-supporting through members contributions. MA is not affiliated with any religious or secular institution or organization and has no opinion on any outside controversies or causes.
Our primary purpose is to stay free of marijuana and to help the addict who still suffers achieve the same freedom. This is done by practicing the suggested Twelve Steps of recovery and by being guided by the Twelve Traditions.
Ultimately, hope for recovery lies in the individual addicts ability to recognize that they have a problem and that they need help. The point at which one recognizes the need for help is commonly referred to as a bottom or a moment of clarity. The addict must have a true desire to stop using and the willingness to admit that the problem cannot be coped with alone.
That is why Marijuana Anonymous exists. We are marijuana addicts ourselves and this is our message: Any addict can stop using, lose the obsession and desire to do so, and discover an infinitely better way of life by following the spiritual principals contained in the Twelve Steps, one day at a time.
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Be Ready For Mental & Physical Symptoms Of Withdrawal
Notoriously, the worst part about quitting weed cold turkey are its side effects. Youre going to experience marijuana withdrawal; anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite, irritability and an increase in body temperature .
In the short-term, youll have mood swings and times where youll just want to give up. The good news is, its only temporary. Try to hold onto the reasons why youre doing this.
Make a list of reasons and paste it;on your fridge or where you keep your wallet to server as a reminder.
What To Expect When You Call A Marijuana Hotline
- I find myself craving marijuana throughout the day. Can marijuana actually cause addiction?
- I think I may have a problem with marijuana. Can you help me figure out if I need help?
- Im interested in finding help for marijuana addiction. Can you tell me where to start?
If you decide that you need treatment for marijuana addiction, the hotline representative will probably need the following information to refer you to a facility:
- Your name, phone number and address
- Date of birth
- Insurance provider, ID and group number
- Details about your marijuana use
- List of current medications
- Brief medical and mental health history
If youre considering calling a marijuana hotline, you probably have some type of problem with marijuana. Calling is risk-free, and it can be an opportunity to better your life. It may the first step that you take toward a life thats free of marijuana.
Medical Disclaimer: DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
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Cannabis Addiction Signs And Symptoms In Teenagers
- Going out every night with friends, coming home smelling of weed
- Poor grades, poor concentration and a loss of interest in school
- Lying about where they are going and what they are doing
- Denying that they use cannabis, or the extent of their use
- Buying cannabis with money they werent given
- Skipping college to get high
- Regularly coming home with red eyes
- Having regular showers or changing clothes to hide the smell of cannabis
- Becoming withdrawn or reclusive
Drugrehabcoms Marijuana Addiction Hotline
Phone: 855-789-9197
The marijuana hotline at DrugRehab.com connects you to the admissions team at Advanced Recovery Systems. The team can provide information about marijuana addiction, treatment and recovery options. A representative can help you determine the extent of your problems with marijuana and connect you with a treatment facility if necessary.
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Addiction Treatment For Marijuana Abuse
Sometimes, quitting marijuana is difficult to do alone. If you cant seem to quit weed cold turkey, you may want to seek professional help to cease marijuana use. American Addiction Centers offers multiple forms of treatment to help those abusing marijuana that helps patients gain the skills to cope with craving and avoid their triggers. Therapy also helps improve on other skills, such as problem-solving and lifestyle management.
Addiction treatment providers may use several behavioral treatments to help those struggling with marijuana use, such as:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of behavioral therapy that focuses on treating a variety of mental health issues under the assumption that many problematic behaviors are borne from unhealthy thought patterns. With CBT, one can identify their negative thought patterns, learn healthier ways to cope with their emotions, and observe their negative thought patterns.9
- Contingency management. Contingency management is a form of treatment that utilizes incentive and reward to reinforce healthy changes in an individual. When treated through a contingency management method, providers may give patients tangible rewards that reinforce their positive behaviors .
- Motivational enhancement therapy. Motivational enhancement therapy strives to resolve any ambivalence toward treatment and prompt an internally-motivated desire to change in people suffering from substance abuse issues.10
Finding Quality Treatment For Substance Use Disorders
This fact sheet serves as a guide for individuals seeking behavioral health treatment. It provides three necessary steps to complete prior to utilizing a treatment center and the five signs of a quality treatment center, which include a review of the accreditation, medication, evidence-based practices, position on the role of families, and support networks.
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Help Yourself And Help Your Friend
Helping a friend quit smoking weed is not going to be easy. You have to remember that you are not responsible for his or her choices. You can only guide your friend, offering support until he or she makes the right choice.
Your helping hand, constant support, communication, support groups, and activities all work together to show your friend that sobriety is not only possible, but also enjoyable. If, however, you find that your friend relapses and backslides a bit, its important to stay positive and keep moving forward. Help your friend maintain his or her goals, even if they were goals that were already accomplished.
This could easily mean that your friend might climb the ladder of recovery a few times before completely finding his or her lifelong path to sobriety. Stick with your friend no matter how long it takes.
When you achieve recovery together, the reward is monumental. Youll be able to look at your friend and watch him or her live a fulfilling life in sobriety, accomplishing goals and changing the world the way you knew he or she could.
If you have a friend that smokes weed and may be developing an addiction, call 12 Keys Rehab today to learn how we can help. As a team, we can battle addiction and give your friend the support he or she needs to recover and live life in sobriety.
Quitting Marijuana A 30 Day Self Help Guide
The information in this self help guide is twofold; first, it provides some of the more recent information on marijuana provided through research. Second, if you are a marijuana user and wish to stop using, the manual provides a self-assessment and daily program to support that decision. Confidential assistance is also available through the McDonald Center for Student Well-Being, 204 Saint Liam Hall. You can call 631-7970 to consult with a professional.
Before going on, complete the self-assessment to help you explore your use.
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Seek Professional To Learn How To Stop Smoking Weed Forever
If you cant manage to stop or quit weed on your own naturally, your best and fail-proof option is to seek professional help:
- A doctor or psychiatrist will be able to prescribe you medications that can help you to stop taking marijuana. Although this doesnt help for the long term.
- A therapist or group counselling sessions can help you find support by talking through your issues and meeting like-minded people. This helps in small portions but still requires you to constantly bring yourself to commit.
- Your final option is inpatient rehab. Its a 24 hour treatment for you where youre surrounded by doctors and therapists working round the clock to help you put this behind you. You will no longer look to find answers on how to stop smoking weed because you will be living it. We at Canadian Centre for Addictions specialize in these types of treatment programs.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with weed addiction, get in touch with us. Our team of addiction experts have over a 100 years of combined experience.
If you want to know the methods for dealing with weed specifically, we are a rehab;that can provide you with the help and support you need and take you through this process.
Take a look at one of our own clients who experienced the depths of addiction all because he started with weed:
For more information of marijuana addiction, please visit our Understanding Addiction resources.
Is Marijuana A Gateway Drug
Marijuana is not generally considered a “gateway drug” because the majority of those who use weed do not go on to use harder substances, including cocaine and heroin.
Social environment might be a more critical factor in determining someone’s risk for trying harder drugs.
If someone is vulnerable to getting involved with drugs, they generally start with substances that are readily available, such as alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana.
However, a person is also likely to start using the same substances that are used by the people in their social environment, no matter how addictive the drug.
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Other Risks And Dangers
The term gateway drug is often used as a trope when discussing marijuana use. This is because using marijuana does leave people susceptible to unknowingly ingesting other substances. Experts have long warned of the dangers of cannabis being laced with harmful drugs such as PCP,crack or cocaine. Any drug purchased off the streets can come with more than what one may have bargained for.
How Can I Tell If Someone’s Using Drugs
You might not realise for a while that the person is using drugs. There’s no sure way to tell, but some clues include:
- burnt foil, which may have been used for smoking heroin
- tiny pieces of cling wrap, paper or card that have been used to wrap drugs
- hand-rolled cigarettes with filters made from cardboard
- spoons and syringes
- small sealable plastic bags used to store drugs
- pipes, plastic bottles or drinks cans that have been pierced or tampered with
Drugs can cause changes in people’s physical appearance, including:
- sudden weight loss or gain
- sniffing or a runny nose
- small pupils
- not worrying about personal grooming
- losing interest in sports or hobbies
- neglecting responsibilities
Many of these changes are caused by other things. It’s normal for teenagers, especially, to go through emotional changes.
It’s important to talk honestly to the person rather than making assumptions. It will help if you get your facts right. The Department of Health provides information about different drugs and their effects on their website.
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Is Marijuana Truly Addictive
The National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests that about 9 percent of people who abuse marijuana will develop an addiction to the drug in time. And that risk rises to 17 percent if users start a marijuana habit during the teen years, and it rises to 25-50 percent in those who use the drug every day.
Marijuana use carries the risk of addiction and long-term health consequences. If you or someone you know is addicted to marijuana, American Addiction Centers the leading treatment program in the U.S. is here to help. Contact us at to speak confidentially with an admissions navigator for help getting access to our successful substance abuse programs.
Resources Used
What Is Samhsas National Helpline
SAMHSAs National Helpline, , or TTY: is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.
Also visit the online treatment locators.
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Taking Care Of Yourself
Your loved ones recovery from drug addiction can be a long process and the negative impact on your own health, outlook, and well-being can multiply over time. Its important you maintain a balance in your life to avoid burnout from all the stress and frustration that comes from helping someone get clean.
Find support. Expressing what youre going through can be very cathartic, so look for support from trusted friends and family, or a peer support group for family members of drug addicts. Talking to others who are facing similar challenges can help you find comfort, reassurance, and new ways of coping.
Manage stress. The stress of witnessing someone you love battle addiction can take a heavy toll. You can reduce your stress levels by eating right, exercising regularly, sleeping well, and practicing a relaxation technique such as yoga, deep breathing, or meditation. Since stress levels can escalate when quitting drugs, you can even encourage your loved one to do the same.
Helplines and support
Support for sufferers of substance use disorders
In the U.S.: Call the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
UK: Find NHS drug addictions support services or call the Frank helpline at 0800 776600.
Canada: Download the PDF Finding Quality Addiction Care from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.
Australia: Find support or call the Alcohol and Drug Foundation helpline at 1800 250 015.
Support for families and loved ones
Group and 12-step programs for your loved one
Tolerance Buildup And Withdrawal Symptoms
If you notice that youre needing higher doses of marijuana just so you can get high, then that means that youre building up a tolerance. When you attempt to stop using marijuana and you experience withdrawal symptoms, this can also mean that you are already addicted to this substance. Some withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and loss of appetite.
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Help For You As A Carer
Caring for a partner, family member or friend who has a drug abuse problem can leave you feeling isolated and alone. It may be hard to talk to others about your situation, particularly if they haven’t had the same experience as you.
There are local and national organisations that support the families and carers of people who use drugs. Many carers find it helpful to talk to others in the same situation, perhaps at a local carers’ support group.
Alternatively, online forums can provide an opportunity to share your experiences. You can find information, contacts or counselling services by going to the Department of Healthâs Drug Help website.
Getting Professional Help To Quit Smoking Weed
Another method that can be useful for people trying to quit weed is enrolling into a professional addiction treatment program for marijuana addiction, or heading to a treatment facility and detoxing there . These programs help you go through the detox period and provide users with support groups like Marijuana Anonymous which will make the transition period easier.;
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This treatment approach requires marijuana users to identify the distressing thoughts and emotions, as well as develop proper skills to address and manage those thoughts. CBT teaches users to recognize the stress that triggers substance abuse and replace that habit with a positive one like going out in nature, calling a friend, or doing a creative project.
Contingency Management
The contingency management approach involves rewarding yourself for being consistent and not smoking marijuana. For example, people who are doing contingency management treatment will give themselves vouchers, gift cards, movie tickets, or other rewards for each negative drug test result.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy
The MET approach is focused on examining the reason for giving up weed. This helps users to figure out what underlying factors may affect the use of weed, and how they can prioritize their other goals instead of smoking weed.
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