Marijuana Detox Information

Marijuana is very often underestimated as a drug detox problem. "I just smoke marijuana," is a constantly used vocalization of denial. The truth is that any drug used as an escape from reality or from dealing with life on life's terms is a problem. Often, marijuana is called a "gateway" drug because it precurses the use of other illegal substances. It should be made clear that not every person who smokes marijuana goes on to addiction with harder drugs but every person who is addicted to harder drugs smoked marijuana at one time. A person will try marijuana and when they discover it's effects are enjoyable and somewhat controllable, they often decide to experiment further with other illegal substances. Sometimes people smoke marijuana regularly for several years then discover that its effects are diminished or become negative. We have found that many users of marijuana develop negative effects from marijuana over years of use. These negative effects may include paranoia, forgetfulness, and a general inability to complete normal tasks. When these adverse reactions begin appearing people may switch to harder drugs, which don't initially cause bad drug reactions.

Marijuana is readily available and is often mixed with other drugs to enhance the effects. The euphoric feeling is combined with camaraderie that users feel when they smoke together and leads to a psychological as well as a physical addiction. Many claim that this drug is non-addictive but they are wrong. Marijuana actually stays in a person's body (stored in fat cells) longer than most any other drug, up to 3 months. When released by exertion or exercise, the stored THC (marijuana) can trigger relapse.

Until recently marijuana was thought of by the scientific community as having no physical withdrawal requiring drug detox. Recent studies have shown that when long term marijuana users attempt to stop marijuana use abruptly they go into withdrawal. Marijuana detox symptoms include anxiety, agitation, paranoia, mood swings, restlessness, and some physical discomfort. Shorecliffs Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center offers a specialized track to address marijuana detox and treatment.