If cannabis becomes a problem: How to manage withdrawal

What doesn’t help in your recovery, however, is holding on to the people, places and things that may contribute to marijuana use and addiction. If you’re serious about moving on from drugs or alcohol, it’s important to maintain a supportive environment and find people to connect with. By undergoing marijuana detox at a licensed facility with supportive staff, you’ll get the help you need to move forward without substances.

1. This is because it’s more likely that the person will have a heavy physical dependence on marijuana when they quit.
2. Once your body is free of marijuana, you can move into recovery from a stable starting point.
3. CB1 antagonists precipitate specific withdrawal symptoms in animal models of cannabis dependence [19].
4. More studies with larger patient numbers are required to confirm these findings.
5. Seek help from your healthcare provider to deal with the physical symptoms of withdrawal or seek help from a support group like Marijuana Anonymous to help you better handle the psychological symptoms.

Is Marijuana Withdrawal Dangerous?

CB1 antagonists precipitate specific withdrawal symptoms in animal models of cannabis dependence [19]. In human studies, administration of CB1 agonists (THC) blocks or relieves withdrawal symptoms [20, 21, 22]. Neurobiological and clinical studies indicate that symptoms of cannabis withdrawal are consistent with the core symptoms of other substance withdrawal syndromes and reflect neurochemical changes in the limbic system [2]. The presence of medical or psychiatric comorbidities such as polysubstance use and dependence may result in more severe complications and symptoms of cannabis withdrawal, necessitating additional management. The clinical significance of cannabis withdrawal is that it may undermine abstinence by precipitating a relapse to cannabis use which immediately relieves these symptoms [5]. Irritability and mood effects can also negatively impact personal relationships and work productivity.

Clinical management of cannabis withdrawal

“For many people who smoke marijuana, withdrawal is a non-issue,” says Roger Roffman, a University of Washington researcher who studied cannabis use for more than 25 years. People who consume cannabis occasionally, or use a higher amount for a short period of time, generally don’t experience any withdrawal symptoms. “But the person who smokes a lot of dope for quite a long period of time is likely to have an experience of withdrawal,” Roffman says. Usually, inpatient centers are better for those who do not have strong support systems at home and are working through incredibly severe addictions. Inpatient centers provide 24-hour care and a controlled environment where the patient may focus on his or her detox and recovery. You may want to consider an inpatient center if your addiction to marijuana is severe and you do not believe you will be able to stay away from the drug.

Symptoms of Marijuana Withdrawal

Symptom onset typically occurs 24–48 hours after cessation and most symptoms generally peak at days 2–6, with some symptoms lasting up to 3 weeks or more in heavy cannabis users. The most common features of cannabis withdrawal are anxiety, irritability, anger or aggression, disturbed sleep/dreaming, depressed mood and loss of appetite. Less common physical symptoms include chills, headaches, physical tension, sweating and stomach pain. Despite limited empirical evidence, supportive counselling and psychoeducation are the first‐line approaches in the management of cannabis withdrawal. There are no medications currently approved specifically for medically assisted withdrawal (MAW). Medications have been used to manage short‐term symptoms (e.g. anxiety, sleep, nausea).

What Is Cannabis Withdrawal?

This is an important avenue of future research, with some agents showing early efficacy. For this reason, cannabis agonists have been cautiously used ‘off‐label’ for cannabis withdrawal. The decision to recommend inpatient admission or outpatient withdrawal in this presentation relies upon an accurate assessment of the brief psychotic episodes and their potential impact on the patient’s alcohol-induced blackouts blackout drunk alcohol blackouts functioning. Withdrawal from other substance use that may increase risk of adverse outcomes (e.g. alcohol other CNS depressants, opioids) is not present. The patient denies suicidal thoughts, but reports dysthymic mood that is typical for him. He states that his cannabis use is heavier at night in an attempt to improve his sleep, and ceasing use has impaired sleep quality.

While a life-threatening overdose of marijuana has never been reported, it is possible to overdose to the level of experiencing extreme symptoms, such as anxiety and paranoia. People occasionally end up in an emergency room when they have a psychotic reaction to marijuana. Likewise, extreme dizziness that leads to nausea and vomiting can causes people to seek medical treatment.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), marijuana is the most commonly used federally illegal substance in the U.S. In 2020, over 49 million people 12 years old or older reported using marijuana within the past year. With more and more states legalizing marijuana, use is increasing — and more information is coming to light about marijuana addiction and cannabis withdrawal. Seek help from your healthcare provider to deal with the physical symptoms of withdrawal or seek help from a support group like Marijuana Anonymous to help you better handle the psychological symptoms. Headaches, like most other symptoms of withdrawing from marijuana use, will usually begin one to three days after quitting and peak two to six days after stopping.

In addition, common-sense practices like staying hydrated, eating nutritious foods, and getting adequate rest may ease withdrawal symptoms. The legalization of non‐medical cannabis use in a number of high‐income countries has reduced cannabis prices and increased sales of high‐potency cannabis products in these jurisdictions [89]. The cannabis industry is lobbying to reduce cannabis taxes, opposing restrictions on maximum THC levels and promoting the sale of high‐potency cannabis such as cannabis edibles, oils, extracts and waxes. Although the effects of these changes have not yet been formally evaluated, increased use of high‐potency cannabis is likely to increase the risks for CUD and the severity of withdrawal [77].

For example, some may experience mild anxiety while others may feel they cannot socialize at all without the drug. “It’s usually seen in people who smoke on a regular basis, like every day, and it’s becoming more prevalent and more of a problem,” says Joseph DeSanto, MD, an addiction specialist at BioCorRx Recovery Program. Schwartz said she wished jail staff were more familiar with withdrawal and what people coming into the jail are https://sober-home.org/after-work-drinking-risks-consequences-treatment/ dealing with. The jail administrator changed the policy on inmates going through withdrawal March 22, 2022, eight months after Bohanan’s death. In March 2022, eight months after Bohanan’s death, state inspectors told the Butler County jail to update its policies for inmates going through withdrawal. The coroner classified the manner of his death as natural and said the cause of death was complications of chronic substance use.

They may also refer you or your loved one to a psychiatrist or addiction medicine specialist, who has further training in the diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders. Many 40 tips for staying sober under pressure of these weed withdrawal symptoms occur within 24 to 72 hours of stopping heavy use. Although, some users experience them a bit longer, feeling symptoms for one to two weeks.