How does marijuana addiction or a marijuana abuse disorder look in real life? Those who are marijuana addicts typically prioritize marijuana over many other things in their life. Marijuana addicts may use marijuana to the detriment of work, school, their relationship with significant others, and even their own health.
Marijuana use can be habit forming and lead to addiction. This includes edible marijuana, and concentrated forms like hash, wax (aka ‘shatter’), and oils that users ‘dab.’ Marijuana addiction is a substance abuse disorder characterized by a problematic pattern of marijuana use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least two symptoms occurring in a 12 month period.
The above criteria was taken from the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). If you or a loved one meet two or more of the above criteria, there may be an marijuana abuse disorder present.
Treatment for marijuana typically happens over a period of 3-12 months based on the needs of each individual. The user may need to go through a detoxification process, especially if other drugs were also being abused. Detoxification can be from 1-7 days. There is typically no counseling or groups during the detox as the purpose of detox is to get the patient medically stabilized and prepared to be able to participate in treatment processes.
After social detox, the recovering person may choose to enter residential or inpatient treatment for marijuana abuse. Inpatient marijuana treatment (rehab) typically lasts around 4 weeks. During residential marijuana treatment, clients undergo assessments by professional counselors and physicians and participate in group and individual counseling sessions. Many clients continue to experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms in residential marijuana treatment and those symptoms are closely monitored and treated by our team of clinical professionals.
Following residential treatment for marijuana, many clients enter “partial hospitalization” or “day treatment.” Day treatment for marijuana use disorder at our center is conducted Monday-Friday for about 6 hours per day (30 hours per week) consisting of group and individual therapy. Clients in day treatment level of care typically see a psychiatrist on a regular schedule to continue monitoring of post-acute withdrawal symptoms and other medical issues. Clients will participate in day treatment for up to 4 weeks following residential marijuana treatment. Clients at day treatment level of care may live at their own residence or in a sober living home.
Following day treatment, the next level of care is intensive outpatient (IOP). At the IOP level of care, clients participate in group therapy 3 hours per day 3 days per week (9 hours per week of group therapy) and may continue seeing their individual therapist and psychiatrist as needed. Clients at intensive outpatient level of care may live at their own residence or in a sober living home.
Drug and alcohol testing (including marijuana testing) is an important component of treatment and should be performed as medically indicated at all levels of care.
If you or a loved one suffers from marijuana addiction or a marijuana abuse disorder, NorthStar Transitions can help! Please click HERE to verify your insurance and an admission representative will contact you within 24 hours to counsel you on the available treatment options and insurance coverage.
At NorthStar Transitions, we know how drug and alcohol use can negatively affect your life. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, we can help. Reach out today to find the support you need to achieve and maintain lifelong sobriety. You can get in touch by calling us at 866-407-2240 or completing our online contact form.
