Skun. Ganja. Weed. Mary Jane. Hashish. Grass. Pot. Marijuana. Flower. Bhang. Cannabis has hundreds, if not thousands, of names, and possibly even more disputes about where, when, how and if people should use it. With all the discussion, misinformation abounds and separating fact from fiction is hard. Have you heard these?
Cannabis is not addictive.
Or what about?
It only takes one use to become addicted.
Or possibly?
There are no side effects to detoxing from weed.
While these may have a hint of truth, none represent the real picture. Here are some facts to clarify. Cannabis, much like alcohol, can be consumed without being addictive. However, approximately 30 percent of users form a dependency, and the rate rises for daily users. Similarly, not everyone experiences detox symptoms, but many do experience normal detox symptoms such as headaches, nightmares, sweats, digestive problems, and more.
The simple fact is: many people do not have difficulty controlling their cannabis use, but many people do.
Addiction to weed is becoming more common, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) recognizes this increase and includes information on Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). People who struggle with CUD may find themselves using weed more often than they intended or using more to experience the same high. If your relationship with pot is becoming more complex and consuming, it may be time to seek out professional help.
The therapists at Thriveworks Columbia treat CUD and have explored many coping strategies for detox and life without weed that have equipped their clients for success.
Cannabis Use Disorder: What Is It?
The cannabis plant contains the psychoactive compound (THC) in its leaves, buds, and stems. THC can slow the brain’s communication with the body, and in large amounts, it has hallucinogenic effects.
Not all cannabis use is injurious, so knowing how often is too often or how much is too much can be a challenge.
The definition of Cannabis Use Disorder found in DSM-5 gives the following parameters. CUD occurs when people use cannabis for at least one year and experience difficulty in their daily functioning as displayed in at least two of these symptoms:
- Increasing the amount of weed used but experiencing the same high.
- Craving cannabis and experiencing intense dreams, psychosomatic smells, vivid images, and/or obsessive thoughts about it.
- Dedicating significant time to pot use—obtaining it, ingesting it, and recovering from it.
- Attempting to stop or cut down on use, but without success.
- Allowing one’s job, hygiene, school, family, or friends to suffer because of pot use.
- Using pot at increasingly more frequent intervals.
- Mixing risky behavior and pot use such as driving a car while high.
- Continuing to use even after pot causes personal, professional, or relational harm.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms while attempting to quit marijuana.
Not everyone experiences CUD in the same intensity. DSM-5 gives a range of addiction, based upon the number of symptoms present.
- DSM-5 (305.20 F12.10) Cannabis Use Disorder, Mild: 2-3 Symptoms.
- DSM-5 (304.30 F12.20) Cannabis Use Disorder, Moderate: 4-5 Symptoms.
- DSM-5 (304.30 F12.20) Cannabis Use Disorder, Severe: 6+ Symptoms.
Risk Factors of CUD
Certain conditions and circumstances may make an addiction to cannabis more like. DSM-5 acknowledges that the following may raise a person’s risk for CUD:
- Background of abuse.
- Family history with chemical dependency.
- Low socio-economic status.
- Previous tobacco use.
- Unstable family circumstances.
- A pre-existing Antisocial Personality Disorder or Conduct Disorder.
- Living in a drug-tolerant culture.
- Family members who use weed.
- Low school performance.
- Easy to access to pot.
Treatment for CUD
When people use cannabis, their bodies store the compound, THC, in fat cells. If THC were water soluble, then cleaning it from the body would be easier, but detoxing a chemical stored in fat cells takes time. After their final use, some people reported feeling the effects of cannabis for days, weeks, or even months during detox.
Treating CUD is a challenge, but there is help. Counseling has equipped many people with the support and coping skills they needed to endure the effects of withdrawal. A skilled therapist can also explore how and why the cannabis use started. Counseling often unearths and treats underlying causes of the use disorder.
Scheduling an Appointment for CUD Treatment
Thriveworks Columbia, SC wants every client to receive the personalized care they need. From the time clients call our office throughout their treatment, we want them to experience first rate care.
That’s why we offer evening and weekend appointments. That’s why a scheduling specialist—not voicemail—will answer your call and make your appointment. That’s why we take most forms of insurance. That’s why we offer night and weekend appointments.
Let’s get started. Call today.
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