Marijuana Addiction Treatment: Diagnosis, Causes & Recovery

Marijuana addiction and treatment is a process for individuals to overcome cannabis addiction. Marijuana addiction is not as severe as addiction to any stimulants or opioids. However, psychological and physical dependence is strong. Patients might experience an increased heart rate, impaired cognitive abilities, insomnia and more. The temporary high gives an escape route making the person feel better. Although recovery is a difficult process but with the right marijuana addiction treatment, the feat can be achieved. Read on to learn more about effective strategies for recovery with a premium marijuana addiction treatment.

Causes and Risk Factors

Before starting the process of marijuana addiction and treatment, recognising the underlying reasons is vital. This enables customizing treatment and increases the chances of long-term recovery. Here are some common reasons for people to resort to marijuana consumption.

• An individual is susceptible to drug usage because of genetic predispositions. Various environmental and cultural factors like peer pressure can further increase marijuana intake.
• To treat psychological problems, people often resort to marijuana consumption. Marijuana consumption relaxes muscles and heightens sensory perceptions. The release of “feel good” hormones alleviates stress of the patient instantly.
• Many addicts consume marijuana to cope with stress and trauma. Painful memories and unaddressed trauma temporarily fade from a person’s memory upon marijuana consumption.
• Marijuana also gives instant relief from chronic pains and aches. Short-term relief and reduction in discomfort is offered by marijuana making it appealing for people.

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Diagnosis of Marijuana Addiction

Tracing causes of marijuana addiction and treatment of the problem are interconnected. Therefore, understanding the cause of addiction is crucial to frame a treatment. Here are 3 main techniques experts use to diagnose the extent of marijuana addiction at marijuana addiction treatment centres:

• Comprehensive Evaluation for Marijuana Addiction A comprehensive evaluation of patients who apply for marijuana addiction treatment includes interviews of addicts by health experts. They assess an individual’s physical and mental health by learning about the personal life of an addict. Duration of addiction is measured based on impairment of cognition, respiratory problems, heart rate and so on.
• Key Symptoms and Behaviors Irritable behavior and anxiety are psychological symptoms experienced by marijuana addicts. Loss of appetite, reduced tolerance and inability to focus on routine tasks are other symptoms. Long-term consumption of marijuana can lead to insomnia. These symptoms are studied thoroughly before framing a marijuana addiction treatment. This prevents the treatment from getting overwhelming for the patient.
• Diagnostic Criteria Used in Marijuana Addiction Treatment When diagnosing the level of addiction, the inability to control consumption and frequency of craving are studied. Continued consumption despite experiencing side effects is also looked at to understand the dependence the body has developed. If all or some of these criteria are met at least within twelve months, level of marijuana addiction and treatment are decided accordingly.

Steps of the Marijuana Addiction Treatment Process

The following method is followed at marijuana addiction treatment centres to cure substance addiction.

• Initial Assessment and Intake The first step of marijuana addiction treatment is understanding the reason for addiction. This makes tracing the cause of the problem easier and prevents relapse. This initial assessment helps an expert to understand the habits of the addict to frame the treatment.
• Detoxification and Withdrawal Management Detox includes gradually lessening the dosage of marijuana for the body to accept the change. There are a few drugs prescribed to manage withdrawal symptoms associated with addiction. However, oral dosage of tetrahydrocannabinol is prescribed to manage withdrawal symptoms. At certain times, an addict might experience muscle pain and anxiety issues. These can be treated by prescribing antidepressants like nefazodone.
• Inpatient and Outpatient Care Options Inpatient marijuana addiction and treatment care facilities are usually secluded and secure. A 24x7 care is available for the addict to be looked after. This is preferred by people who have severe addiction and do not have responsibilities at home. However, those who have to go to work and have a routine to follow can opt for outpatient care options. Timely visits are a must so that the psychiatrist can keep track of the patient’s performance.

Effective Marijuana Addiction Abuse Treatment Approaches

The following therapies are the most thorough ones at marijuana addiction treatment centres. From psychological counseling to logical reasoning, an addict is helped at every step.

• Behavioral Therapies for Marijuana Addiction This marijuana addiction treatment works on reducing cravings. Improving communication with family is encouraged in the process. Dialectical behavioral therapy trains patients to manage their emotions and trace destructive behavior. The therapy is beneficial for patients to get back to work and perform their jobs responsibly.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) This therapy helps addicted patients by clarifying false beliefs about drug consumption. It eliminates personal insecurities that can lead to substance abuse. It also addresses the underlying issues that caused addiction in the first place. Negative automatic thoughts that come to the mind of an addict are dealt with.
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) MET enables an addict to resolve contradictory feelings about drugs and alcohol. It focuses on internally motivating a patient to mark out thought and reality. The process includes making the patient understand that talking about addiction is not taboo. Moreover, resisting the intake of drugs is a part of the process. Self-efficacy is reinforced to make the addict feel confident to conquer his addiction.
• Contingency Management (CM) This therapy of marijuana addiction drug treatment is a type of behavioral therapy in which an addict is rewarded for good treatment. Also called Motivational Incentives works on the principle that apprehended consequences govern behavior. Therefore, the aim is to accelerate the recovery process and reduce the chances of a relapse.

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Marijuana Addiction Drug Treatment

• Exploring Medications for Withdrawal and Cravings Marijuana addiction treatment medication treats symptoms like insomnia, stress and heightened irritability. Buspirone is a drug that offers relief to patients suffering from anxiety disorders. As such there are no drugs available to treat marijuana addiction. However, these drugs along with therapies provide a wholesome approach towards recovery.
• Supportive Medications in Marijuana Addiction Recovery Marijuana addiction and treatment also include other antidepressants and anxiolytics. These medications treat other mental health disorders associated with marijuana recovery like stress. This also allows an individual to focus on other behavioral therapies leading to long-term recovery. However, marijuana addiction treatment medication must not be taken without professional supervision. It can have prolonged side effects which can prove to be detrimental to a patient’s health.