Marijuana Addiction Is No Laughing Matter
For decades, the media has portrayed marijuana as a substance that makes life more interesting, more fun. We laugh at scenes of people who have lit up and become sillier versions of themselves. Pot smoking is a common theme in some comedies in which the users seem to have no real devastating side effects from its use. Add in recent legislation to legalize marijuana in some states, and it’s no wonder many people have been lulled into a false sense of security about its safety.
While the initial feeling from pot smoking might relax you, frequent use can lead to anxiety and paranoia.
In fact, while this plant-based drug has some legitimate medicinal benefits when used in conjunction with a doctor’s care, it’s still possible to abuse this drug recreationally. In fact, addiction to marijuana can be extremely strong. It reaches the point at which users smoke a reefer at the same rate that they do cigarettes.
Marijuana comes from the part of the cannabis plant that is dried and smoked. It’s grown in fields in the south, but people also grow it in their homes with the help of special lamps. It’s many street names include Mary Jane, Weed, Grass, Ganja, and Dope, among others. In fact, it’s one of the most common drugs used in this country, with one in ten people reporting that they use it. In addition to being rolled up and smoked like a cigarette, marijuana is also baked into brownies or cookies, or produced as candy.
While it’s easy to think marijuana is a harmless drug, the realities are much different.
Could You Be Addicted to Marijuana?
Like many drug addictions, your marijuana use started innocently enough. You might have been passed a joint at a party. The feeling you had at that moment was sublime. You felt relaxed. Food tasted better. The company was entertaining.
Before long, you wanted that feeling to return. You sought out dealers and purchased pot. You might have thought you would only use it for recreation, something to help you unwind. Pretty soon, you craved it more and more. What started out as an experiment at a party became a daily occurrence.
How do you know if you’re addicted? It’s quite simple. Your behavior might change suddenly and you’ll have frequent mood swings. You begin to avoid family and friends, except those who also smoke pot (and your dealer). You’ll stop showering regularly, wearing clean clothes, and generally taking care of yourself. You neglect your responsibilities, including your family and your job. The only thing you care about is getting high and it’s taking more of the drug to get you to that level. In fact, you’ve grown so tolerant to pot that you spend more and more time getting high, which is draining your bank account.
This is what addiction looks like. Does it describe you?
If it does, you don’t have to fight this addiction alone. At Rehab-Finder.Org, we can help you find help to beat your habit and become clean and sober.
Marijuana DOES Have Side Effects
Another of the falsehoods shared about marijuana is that there are no dangerous side effects. In fact, there are several indications that you or someone you love might be abusing pot.
If you’re habitually abusing marijuana, you might have issues with your coordination and perception. Your memory might be impaired along with your learning and problem-solving capabilities. You’ll have difficulty with processing logic and your reaction time will be significantly slower. In some cases, you might develop a chronic cough. While the initial feeling from pot smoking might relax you, frequent use can lead to anxiety and paranoia.
If you continue to smoke pot over a long period of time, it will have a tremendous impact your body. You’ll experience personality and mood swings. Your growth will be negatively impacted if you start to use at a young age. If you’re a guy, your testosterone levels − the hormone that pertains to your sex drive − will be lowered. You will lose your motivation and become apathetic. Your immune system will be weakened, opening the door for you to catch diseases easily.
That doesn’t sound like such an innocent effect, does it?
While people generally do not die from a marijuana overdose itself, you can become incapacitated. You could become so stoned that you get into an accident. Signs of a marijuana overdose that require immediate medical attention might be vomiting, extreme anxiety, and trouble breathing. If you or someone else are showing these symptoms, call 911.
It is true that marijuana addiction is not as life-threatening as a narcotic like heroin or cocaine. However, it can have severe enough side effects that it can negatively and permanently impact your life. Is it worth it?
Supporting a Family Member or Friend in Facing Their Marijuana Addiction
Maybe it’s not you, but someone you love who is smoking too much pot. Are you concerned that he or she might be addicted to marijuana? Do you recognize the signs of a serious habit that need to be addressed? We applaud you for caring so much that you want to help. At Rehab-Finder.Org, we’re able to give you the support you need as you encourage this person to enter treatment and get well again.
Avoid making any excuses for your loved one’s addiction. The point is to hold them accountable for their behaviors and actions.
There are a few things you should know before you attempt to help someone in the throes of a marijuana addiction. The common approach to addressing this situation is usually an intervention. This is a process by which others like you who are close to this person and who see the danger he or she is in gather to discuss with him or her the impact this addiction has on everyone’s lives. There are right ways and wrongs ways to hold an intervention.
The right way is to start with some professional guidance. A trained interventionist can help coach you on how to speak and respond during the intervention. You want to be clear that you are not judging your friend or family member and that there is hope. You want him or her to understand that you will be there to help throughout this process. Interventionists can prepare you for the different scenarios you might encounter and how to navigate them so that you have a successful result.
The wrong approach to an intervention can actually hurt your intentions. For starters, you don’t want to make promises you can’t keep. The person suffering from addiction needs to trust that he or she can count on your word. The same with idle threats you have no intention of following through on.
Avoid making any excuses for your loved one’s addiction. The point is to hold them accountable for their behaviors and actions. This especially applies to any abuse.
Even the most professionally guided interventions are not a guarantee that all will go well or that the person suffering from addiction will succeed at treatment. Addicts can become very defensive and resist any attempts to get help. However, if you can get them to agree to seek treatment, you have made a step in the right direction.
What to Expect From Rehab for a Marijuana Addiction
If you’ve reached the point where you know your marijuana abuse has repercussions and you want help, you are taking a brave step forward. Congratulations! It takes courage to admit you have a problem and to seek treatment.
Many people are too afraid of what might happen once they enter into a rehabilitation program. At Rehab-Finder.Org, we talk you through the process of finding the best treatment center and plan to meet your unique needs. Everyone’s experiences are different, though there are some common elements to which most recovering addicts can attest.
The Marijuana Detox and Withdrawal Phase
The first step in any recovery is to rid your system of any trace of the drug. This generally requires entering a rehab center for detoxification. You’ll work with trained medical professionals who can guide you through this process.
Because your body has become accustomed to marijuana, you’ll go through a withdrawal period as you cease to use this substance. During this time, your body will react to the loss of this drug with cravings and other effects. You might experience:
- Appetite changes (loss or increase)
- Sweating
- Digestive issues, including stomach pains
- Sleep disruptions like insomnia or vivid dreams
- Headaches
- Restlessness and irritability
- Fever
- Depression
As scary as these symptoms sound, your treatment center team is trained to help you work through them so that you’re as comfortable as possible during this phase.
Selecting the Right Rehab Center Is Important
There’s a plethora of information on the web about selecting treatment centers. In fact, it can be overwhelming. That’s why at Rehab-Finder.Org, we take the guesswork out of researching by doing the legwork for you. We’re a full-service rehab placement service. This means we’ll connect you with the one of the top-notch treatment centers in our expansive network. Our team of placement experts know which centers specialize in treating marijuana addictions.
When you call, we start by asking you some questions to better understand your situation and your personality. Treatment success is aligned with finding the right approach. Not all rehab is one size fits all. Some people do better with a 12-step program while others respond to a holistic approach. We’ll help you understand the differences, as well as what each center offers.
We’ll discuss all options with you and help you identify which program is best for you. From there, we’ll begin the process of getting you into treatment, removing the hassles and headaches you might encounter if you attempted to do this alone. Your focus should be on getting well.
We’ll even work with your insurance provider to get you the best possible payment options and coverage. If you need to travel to another city or state for treatment, we’ll help arrange your travel.
Our services? All of what we provide to you at Rehab-Finder.Org is FREE OF CHARGE. That’s right. We just want you to kick that addiction.
Call us 24/7 at 877-251-4813. Someone is always there to help.
