Despite the fact that many countries are embracing marijuana for recreational and medicinal use, there are many avenues and voices that continue to insist on marijuana’s danger as an addictive drug. The chemical component in marijuana THC is addictive and excessive intake may result in adverse mental effects. Users have a 17% chance of becoming highly addicted and this is why many countries continue to ban marijuana use.
Link between Marijuana and Addiction
Marijuana addicts have a compulsive desire to consume the substance on a regular basis, with many using the drug fewer than twice a day. Because of this, they are forced to continually hoard the substance and spend money that they could otherwise put into supporting themselves and their families. This results in a waste of time and money.
Like most other recreational drugs, marijuana’s addictive element comes from the changes it makes to the brain. The release of dopamine after marijuana intake is what causes habitual use and this in turn leads to addiction because the users is chasing the happy hormone dopamine at the expense of other concerns such as food or work. Over a long period of time, the brain relies on marijuana for release of dopamine and this dependency is what makes marijuana very dangerous.
This danger is especially high for young users whose brains have not fully developed. Research indicates that the brain becomes fully developed by 25 years and therefore any drug that significantly alters brain chemistry may result in mental changes into adulthood.
Interplay Between Marijuana Legalization and Healthcare
Many countries are just realizing the benefits of marijuana in healthcare. Though this article has examined the negative aspects of marijuana addiction, there are many other opportunities for marijuana in alleviating chronic pain. However for this to happen there must be strict regulations otherwise there will be avenues for abuse. As already seen in the United States, the majority of states’ decisions to legalize marijuana have hampered the advancement of marijuana therapy by reducing the number of addicts who enter treatment centers. As a result of this, the number of people who are addicted to marijuana has skyrocketed, and the addiction’s primary emphasis has shifted.
The narrative on the innocuous effects of the drug and the desire to indulge in it for recreational and medical purposes has been pushed by the focus on legalizing the substance. This has driven the focus on the legalization of the drug. Because of this, the treatment process has become complicated and nearly pointless, as states are working to legalize the cultivation of marijuana for recreational use. Teenagers and young adults end up being addicted to marijuana and in need of treatment by the time they reach adulthood. This cycle continues as long as the drug is available.
Treating Marijuana Addiction
In order to treat an addiction to marijuana, a combination of therapy and medicine is typically used in treatment. Marijuana usage is associated with a higher risk of developing mental problems as a result of the negative effects that marijuana has on the brain, particularly after years of use.
As a result, there are a few different organized ways that may be taken to combat addiction:
• Cognitive-behavioral treatment (also known as CBT)
The goal of this therapeutic approach is to educate the addict about the harmful behaviors that led to their addiction and help them understand why they continue to struggle with it. By gaining an awareness of their behavioral patterns and repetitive behaviors, addicts are better able to avoid the causes that lead to relapse, strengthen their capacity for self-control by keeping healthy habits, and eventually give up their drug use.
• Management of unforeseen events
The use of concrete, positive incentives as an incentive for desirable goal behavior is one component of contingency management. For example, persistently good conduct is rewarded with incentives, which, in the long run, coerce the patient into making the desperately required adjustment in their behavior. This strategy places an emphasis on achieving goals and receiving rewards.
• Treatment geared on boosting one’s motivation
This method focuses on encouraging the addict to make constructive and organized adjustments within themselves so that they may better grasp the necessity of treatment and transitioning. This strategy encourages an individual to reflect inwardly on the effects of the medicine and to devise methods for the further development of treatments.
In addition to the methods of therapy that have been outlined, the use of medicine may be necessary in very severe cases of marijuana addiction. Patients may be given anti-anxiety or anti-stress medication in an effort to remove them from the state of intoxication caused by marijuana use; however, there is currently no medication that has been approved by the FDA specifically for the treatment of marijuana use. Sleepiness is a common symptom of withdrawal from marijuana. It is possible that the drugs that are prescribed to addicts may allow them to enter a condition that is conducive to sleep.
Individuals who are struggling with addiction may find assistance from a variety of unorthodox therapies, including exercise, art, massage, and alternative therapies, as they make the transition into a drug-free and healthy lifestyle. A self-empowerment strategy is used by other support groups, such as the SMART recovery program. This technique gives members a four-point framework that focuses on helping individuals establish healthier habits and practices by removing some foundations from their lives. The individual learns not to blame themselves for their addiction but rather how to engage in constructive and helpful behavior like as coping with impulses, maintaining a healthy balance in their lives, and controlling their thoughts and feelings.
What To Anticipate During Therapy For Marijuana Addiction
The individual’s level of addiction dictates whether or not they should participate in an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. The length of time spent in inpatient treatment ranges anywhere from thirty to ninety days, depending on how the substance is affecting the individual.
After that, the therapy plans are put into action, a process that can take anywhere from twelve to sixteen weeks depending on how responsive the patient is. Combining several approaches to therapy is intended to achieve the goals of providing a holistic approach and assisting in the prevention of relapses.
A number of different support groups have the goal of assisting recovering addicts in making the transition into a life that is free of drugs and is healthy. The classic twelve-step methodology has been shown to be successful in assisting recovering addicts in steering clear of practices and behaviors that might be detrimental to their health. In addition, there are sober living houses accessible in the neighborhood. As they become ready to learn how to transition into everyday life, this enables the individual to live in an atmosphere that promotes positive conduct and responsibility. This gives them a head start on their education.