Treatment for Marijuana Addiction

The Truth About Marijuana Addiction

With the recent legalization of Marijuana in Massachusetts, it is easy to think of it as a less than harmful substance. In reality, it can be one of the hardest substances to give up. The increasing social acceptance of Marijuana makes it readily available and often masks dependency from both the addict and those around them.

However, there are many people who use Marijuana on a daily basis and have all the traditional symptoms of an addict. These are people who cannot control their use, no matter the consequences.

Is Marijuana Addicting?

Although Marijuana may not be physically addictive in the same way as other drugs like Heroin or alcohol, the psychological addiction can be powerful. Behavioral disorders, such as gambling addictions, are great examples of the power of mental dependencies.

People addicted to Marijuana typically don’t exhibit physical symptoms, and they may function at a higher level than someone addicted to Heroin or Meth, it doesn’t mean they don’t have a dependence. Misconceptions about the addictive nature of Marijuana often keep people who could benefit from treatment from receiving it.

Those who receive treatment for Marijuana addiction are predominantly individuals who have chronically used Marijuana on a daily basis. These are people who have tried to quit on their own many times but couldn’t do it alone. 

Marijuana Detox and Withdrawal?

Many people do not realize that detoxifying from Marijuana can produce withdrawal effects; While not a severe as some other substances, Marijuana withdrawal has been compared to nicotine withdrawal. These include:

• Increased irritability
• Increased Anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping
• Constant cravings
• Depression
• Restlessness
• Agitation
• Insomnia or extreme fatigue
• Reduced appetite or weight loss
• Mood swings
• Inability to experience pleasure

The challenge of quitting smoking tobacco is well known, but for long-term Marijuana users, withdrawal can be just as challenging.

Outpatient Treatment for Marijuana

Many people who develop a Marijuana habit are able to quit without entering a full-scale inpatient treatment center. However, for those in an environment that makes it seemingly impossible to stop using Marijuana, an outpatient treatment program can help on their pathway to recovery.

There are generally three types of treatment settings that are considered for Marijuana Addiction Therapy (click to learn more)

• Full-Day Treatments – Comprehensive treatment programs that meet 5 times a week at our facility in Andover, MA.
• Intensive Outpatient Treatment – An immersive treatment program that helps individuals with substance abuse and addiction problems while they live at home.
• Outpatient Treatment – Customized treatment plans that accommodate work, school, or other responsibilities living at home. 

Therapies Used in Outpatient Treatment 

Some of the more common therapies used to treat addiction may include.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)— CBT focuses on helping develop coping skills you can use to avoid a relapse, By evaluating the impact of your substance abuse, you can begin to identify situations that may trigger them and develop practical strategies to deal with them. CBT has been proven effective in treating many types of addiction, including alcohol, Marijuana, Cocaine, and Methamphetamine addictions. 
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy– Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) is a counseling approach that aims to instill rapid and internally motivated change, rather than guide the patient stepwise through the recovery process. MET is useful in helping individuals develop a sense of urgency toward their recovery.
• Family Therapy—These treatments focus on challenges that may occur in the home and how they might trigger your addictions and ultimately impact your treatment. Family therapy sessions often include both the person in recovery and a significant other, such as a spouse or a parent, and may address issues such as mental illness, past or current physical or verbal abuse, work issues, and other unresolved conflicts within the family setting.
• Twelve Step Facilitation –A twelve-step program seeks to establish a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems. It is peer-driven and involves supporting and learning from others with similar challenges.

Insurance Coverage for Marijuana Addiction Therapy

Marijuana addiction is one of the fastest-growing problems in our society as legalization and social acceptance foster dependencies in those who are prone to addiction. TOPSAIL makes getting treatment for Marijuana easy and convenient.