NorthStar Transitions is located in Colorado, where marijuana use is legal. Because it is legal, many individuals in recovery question whether or not they can use marijuana without risking relapse. Each recovery journey is unique. However, abstaining from all substances is typically the best practice to ensure setbacks do not occur. Nevertheless, you may still wonder, will using marijuana risk relapse?
Individuals questioning the risk factors associated with marijuana use while in recovery can contact NorthStar to learn more or utilize resources. Marijuana use can potentially risk relapse. However, you must understand why that is and make an informed decision pertaining to your sobriety and well-being.
Marijuana – also known as cannabis, weed, and pot – refers to the dried leaves of the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. This plan contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in cannabis that causes people to get high.
According to the National Insitute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), marijuana is one of the most commonly used substances in the United States, especially among young people. The continued legalization of marijuana in many states across the country only sets an unhealthy precedent for vulnerable people that using it has no risks.
Unfortunately, that is not the case. There are risks associated with long-term marijuana use, and the risk of relapse is serious for people in recovery.
People use marijuana for all sorts of reasons. Some people do it for fun or experimental purposes, while others do it because they are bored. Among youth, there is the added factor of peer pressure. Many young people began using marijuana at social events in order to feel accepted by their peers. However, the reasons for using marijuana are not solely related to social factors. Many also use it for mental health purposes.
More individuals are experiencing anxiety, depression, and a number of other mental health conditions and looking for ways to get better. To cope with mental illness symptoms, people turn to marijuana because they believe it is safer than alcohol or other substances. In some ways, it may be, but the problem with using marijuana to help anxiety or other conditions is that it does not get to the root of the problem.
Another common misconception is that marijuana is not addictive, and this popular idea is becoming more socially accepted.
People have debated back and forth about whether or not marijuana is addictive. While many use marijuana recreationally without becoming dependent, there is a chance of developing a marijuana use disorder.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about three in ten individuals who use marijuana have this disorder. While more research is necessary to fully understand the extent to which people become dependent on marijuana, the risk is there. And for those in recovery, there is a greater chance of becoming dependent or experiencing a relapse.
Unfortunately, using marijuana and the potential risk for relapse can hinder recovery. Marijuana use during early recovery can become a crutch for many individuals. People may be trying to prevent using other drugs or alcohol, but that means their addiction to one substance could transfer to a marijuana addiction.
Additionally, by utilizing a crutch, you refrain from continuing the necessary work started in treatment. To maintain recovery, you must face the root cause of your addiction, not just abstain from substance use. Relying on marijuana may prevent you from doing the necessary work to continue healing and staying sober.
Because cannabis is so different from other dangerous substances, many do not see how marijuana can risk relapse. However, using marijuana can cause old feelings to return. The effect, if mild, can quickly lead a person to experience intense cravings. Remember, the psychoactive effect is what many individuals become dependent on when using drugs. Even if it is a subtle high, it can be enough to send someone down a path of old, harmful habits.
Other factors influence the risk of relapse. Combined, these elements and the added effects of marijuana can make it more challenging to maintain sobriety.
There are also long-term risks associated with marijuana use that may put your recovery at risk. For example, long-term marijuana use can increase your risk of developing additional mental health conditions and physical disorders.
The NIDA also indicates that marijuana can cause long-term effects on the brain. That includes the potential for impaired cognitive function, reduced memory due to impact on the hippocampus, and less overall brain connectivity. These complications can make maintaining recovery more challenging, especially if you are experiencing other mental or physical health conditions.
Any substance use can be dangerous when you are in recovery. For that reason, using marijuana can risk relapse. If you are still unconvinced by the potential harm marijuana can have on your sobriety, talk to a sponsor, therapist, or addiction treatment specialist today. If you feel you recognize signs of marijuana dependency within yourself during recovery, contact NorthStar Transitions for help today.
Marijuana use has always been familiar, but with more states legalizing its recreational use, there is a greater chance of people experiencing marijuana use disorder. But what about those in recovery? Can using marijuana risk relapse? Unfortunately, it can. Because of its psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties, using marijuana can cause you to experience intense cravings or remind you of old substance use habits. Long-term marijuana use can also lead to the development of mental and physical health conditions, and managing these conditions can add more stress to your overall addiction recovery. Thankfully, NorthStar Transitions can help. For questions about using marijuana while sober or if you are experiencing intense cravings because you have used marijuana, call (303) 558-6400.
