Ganja. Weed. Hashish. Skun. Pot. Marijuana. Bhang. Cannabis has hundreds of slang names and even more controversies about its use. Everyone, it seems, has an opinion about when, how, where, and if people should use cannabis. Within these debates, misinformation is rampant and understanding fact is difficult. Have you ever heard?
Anybody who uses cannabis is addicted.
Or how about?
People do not get addicted to cannabis.
Or maybe?
There are not side effects when people detox from weed.
Here are a few facts about cannabis use to clarify. Like alcohol, many people use cannabis without becoming addicted. But about 30 percent of cannabis users do form an addiction, and the percentages for daily users are higher. Furthermore, not everyone experiences severe detox symptoms, but many people report side effects during detox such as headaches, sweats, nightmares, digestive problems, and more.
If you feel like your cannabis use is getting out of control, you are not alone. Cannabis addiction has become common, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) recognizes Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). Many people find themselves using weed in larger quantities or more often than they intend. If quitting or curbing use has become a challenge, it may be time for professional help.
Thriveworks Charlotte offers treatment for Cannabis Use Disorder, and our therapists have helped many people navigate detox and live without pot.
Cannabis and CUD
Cannabis is a plant, and it contains Delta-9-TetraHydrocannabinol (THC) in its leaves, stems, and buds. THC is a psychoactive compound, i.e., it affects people’s mind. In large quantities, it also has hallucinogenic effects. THC slows down the body-brain communication.
Because not all cannabis use is harmful, it can be challenging to know how often is too often and how much is too much.
DSM-5 officially defines Cannabis Use Disorder as the use of weed for at least one year along with decreased daily functioning and increased life disturbances as shown by experiencing at least two of these symptoms:
- Increasing the amount of weed used to experience the same high.
- Attempting to stop or curb use, but being unable to.
- Craving cannabis, including intense dreams, psychosomatic smells, vivid images, and/or obsessive thoughts about it.
- Dedicating substantial time to pot use—obtaining it, ingesting it, and recovering from it.
- Experiencing personal, professional, or relational harm from weed use but continuing to partake.
- Allowing one’s job, hygiene, school, family, or friends to suffer because of pot use.
- Using pot after increasingly more frequent intervals.
- Mixing risky behavior and pot use such as driving a car while high.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms while attempting to quit marijuana.
Not at cases of CUD at the same. DSM-5 recognizes a scale of addiction, depending upon the amount of symptoms a person experiences. People experience Mild CUD when they have two to three symptoms. They experience Moderate CUD with four to five symptoms. Finally, Severe CUD means people experience six or more symptoms.
CUD and Risk Factors
Not everyone forms an addiction to cannabis, and there are certain circumstances that make the addiction more likely. The DSM-5 recognizes that these may increase the risk of CUD:
- Background of abuse.
- Low socio-economic status.
- History of tobacco use.
- A family history of chemical dependency.
- A pre-existing Conduct Disorder or Antisocial Personality Disorder.
- Unstable family circumstances.
- Living in a drug-tolerant culture.
- Low school performance.
- Easy to access to weed.
- Family members who use pot.
CUD’s Treatment
THC, the active compound in cannabis, is stored in people’s bodies through their fat cells. This makes it harder for the body to cleanse THC than if it were water soluble. Detoxing takes times. People with CUD have reported feeling weed’s effects days, weeks, and even months after their last use.
Treating CUD can be a challenge, and many people have found that therapy helped them overcome the difficulty of detox. Counseling may equip people to cope with the effects of withdrawal and with living to live without pot. Therapy may also explore how a person began using cannabis and unearth any underlying causes of the addiction that need treatment. With a counselor’s help, many people learn to resolve difficult emotions and experiences in a healthy way.
Thriveworks Charlotte, NC Treats CUD
When you learned about the symptoms of CUD, could you recognize any of those behaviors in your own life? Are you wondering if it is time to curb or quit cannabis? If so, you do not have to do it alone. Thriveworks Charlotte treats CUD and has appointments available.
We offer individualized care for each client, from the time their first call our office. That’s why a person will answer you call and help you schedule an appointment. It’s why you may be able to see your therapist the next day. It’s why we offer evening and weekend appointments. It’s also why we probably take your insurance. We want to make scheduling therapy as convenient for our clients as possible.
Are you ready to get started? Call today.
Coping Skills, Life Transition, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma / PTSD 
