Illicit drug use is on the rise across the nation. According to the CDC, nearly one in 10 Americans aged 12 and over used an illicit drug within a month prior to a survey that was conducted in 2013, a 13% increase over the number reported in a 2002 survey.
Marijuana use accounts for a large portion of reported drug use, with this drug being the most widely used illicit substance in the country. In 2013, there were 19.8 million users, compared to 14.5 million users in 2007. In 2018, nearly 12 million young adults reported marijuana use in the previous year.
As marijuana use has become increasingly normalized, so has marijuana use disorder, especially among those who began using marijuana before their 18th birthday. In fact, about 30% of these marijuana users likely have some degree of marijuana use disorder.
Despite these statistics, marijuana dependence often isn’t taken seriously enough, even by some health care professionals. Unlike “harder” drugs, marijuana doesn’t necessarily lead to more dangerous drugs, and 90% of all marijuana users don’t develop an addiction. This can be a big roadblock for those who are living with a marijuana use disorder.
Fortunately, there are rehab facilities that specialize in helping you overcome weed dependence. Even those that don’t treat marijuana as a primary substance can support you in your journey and help you develop the coping skills you need for lasting success. Knowing where to turn for help in getting past the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and handling mental and emotional challenges that arise can greatly increase your odds of a successful recovery.
Do People Go to Rehab for Weed?
A marijuana use disorder happens when the brain becomes used to handling large amounts of the drug by reducing its own production of hormones and neurotransmitters. After an extended period of excessive use, your brain cuts down on the production of endocannabinoid neurotransmitters and becomes less sensitive to the hormones that it does produce. In other words, your brain becomes so accustomed to the drug’s presence that it doesn’t function properly without it.
Marijuana use disorder becomes an addiction when you’re unable to stop using the substance, even as you recognize the toll it takes on aspects of your life like your job performance, relationships and finances.
If you have a marijuana use disorder and you’ve tried to give up using weed on your own, then you’ve probably noticed that quitting is difficult. Many people experience withdrawal symptoms like irritability, depression, anxiety and flu-like symptoms. In some cases, these symptoms can last up to two weeks.
On top of that, many people who use marijuana have underlying physical or mental health conditions. Marijuana is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional pain-relieving medications for those who have chronic pain from conditions like inflammation and nerve damage. Some people who use marijuana do so to treat conditions like depression, anxiety or PTSD.
While it’s true that some research indicates marijuana may be useful for treating chronic pain or even mental health conditions, the problem is that most people who are using marijuana for conditions like these aren’t under the supervision of a physician. Self-medicating with marijuana is dangerous and can lead to dependence. Even if someone perseveres through the days or weeks of withdrawal symptoms, they still need a way to treat or cope with the physical or mental conditions that led to the addiction in the first place.
While going through marijuana withdrawal comes with a lot of discomfort, these symptoms generally aren’t life-threatening. For that reason, many health insurance companies don’t provide coverage for treatment like they do for alcohol or opioid detox, which can cause medical complications.
How to Get Treatment for Weed Dependence
Rehab facilities aren’t just for those recovering from addictions to substances like heroin and alcohol. Many people seek rehab for behavioral addictions like gaming, eating disorders or risk-taking. In addition to helping clients get past withdrawal symptoms, mental health specialists teach coping mechanisms and help clients identify their triggers, helping them avoid future relapses. For those living with weed dependence, rehab can be an effective way to overcome the addiction and address underlying or co-occurring conditions.
Your health insurance may not cover treatment for marijuana use disorder, but many rehab facilities that specialize in this type of care provide a self-pay option with affordable payment plans. This puts care and support within reach of those who are ready to seek help. In some cases, if it’s determined that a mental health condition like depression is the reason you need rehab, your health insurance company may cover some services.
FHE Health Is Here to Help
At FHE, we’ve helped countless clients overcome marijuana use disorder using a holistic treatment philosophy. While we don’t treat marijuana as a primary substance, we specialize in helping clients identify the reasons they’re using marijuana to cope with physical, mental or emotional problems. Our mental health experts can help you develop the coping mechanisms you need to overcome marijuana use disorder and avoid relapses.
Treatment for marijuana use disorder starts with a full exam and diagnosis, which helps to identify the level of dependence and whether you have underlying health complications or co-occurring mental health disorders. In some cases, you may benefit from our nationally accredited inpatient detox program, which makes your journey through withdrawal as comfortable as possible.
In addition to detox, your treatment plan may include residential inpatient treatment, intensive outpatient care or neuro-rehabilitative care. We also provide medical care to address any changes that have happened in your body as a result of excessive marijuana use or to treat underlying conditions like depression or chronic pain. Our treatment approach includes cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing how you think through a practical approach to problem-solving.
Many people who are living with marijuana use disorder can receive comprehensive treatment from FHE Health. If you or a loved one has this condition, contact our team today to learn about how we can help.
