Though Canadian officials have legalized cannabis use, that doesn’t mean the drug is safe. Among the dangers that weed users face, addiction is one of the biggest ones. According to experts, marijuana users still have a 9% likelihood of becoming addicted. If this has happened to you, you probably aren’t sure where to go for help. Weed is such a ‘casual’ drug. You may wonder if marijuana addiction treatment even exists. Can you go to rehab for weed addiction? The truth is that you can get weed addiction help from an addiction treatment centre. Read on to learn more about what to expect. 

What Is Weed or Marijuana and How Is It Used? 

Marijuana, weed, pot, grass, and Mary Jane are all terms used to refer to the psychoactive drug derived from the cannabis plant. The specific scientific term for this chemical is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Most people shorten this name to THC. 

THC can usually be found in the leaves and buds of female cannabis plants. Users and distributors will harvest these from the plants. Then they will put them to use.

Marijuana users will most often smoke the leaves using various devices or use them to brew tea. Eating weed is also a popular consumption method. This requires special preparations and usually involves adding plant derivatives to foods or drinks. 

What Are the Health Risks of the Use of Marijuana? 

There isn’t much data on the effects that the use of marijuana can have on a person’s health. However, experts have discovered many worrying trends. 

Many studies have found that weed hurts the developing brain. It affects how the brain builds the connections needed for attention, memory, and learning.

This can be especially damaging to youth brains as they haven’t fully developed yet. Many teens and young adults can struggle in school if they use weed. 

Marijuana can also affect the brain by triggering mental health disorders. Experts have linked the drug to depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Depending on usage levels, these issues can be either temporary or long-lasting. 

The mind isn’t the only potential victim of cannabis either. Scientists have noted that marijuana smoke has a lot of the same harmful chemicals as tobacco smoke. Taking these into one’s lungs can lead to the development of coughing, bronchitis, and increased mucus production overall. 

Then there are the heart and circulatory systems. It’s possible that smoking cannabis can hurt these systems as well. At least one study has linked smoking weed to strokes, heart attacks, and other vascular diseases. 

How Can Weed Usage Affect Your Life Circumstances? 

It’s reasonable to assume that weed users would have poorer educational success levels. Studies have proven this to be true. Long-term and excessive marijuana use has been linked with an inability to complete high school and college degrees. 

That’s not the only type of success that weed usage reportedly affects. Experts have linked heavy cannabis use with unemployment, criminal behaviour, and lower income levels.

These circumstances may have led to weed use. However, experts have interviewed marijuana users. They often blamed the drug on their lower life achievement levels. 

What Kind of People Are Prone to Weed Addiction? 

The reasons people develop an addiction to weed are similar to the reasons people get addicted to other substances. Just like with alcohol, genes can play a huge role in who is more prone to weed addiction. 

Experts have also confirmed that the age at which weed usage starts can affect the possibility of addictive behaviours. People who begin to partake in cannabis before they’re 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop an addiction. This is partly why legalization initiatives in Canada have stressed keeping the drugs out of the hands of the youth. 

In addition, certain life situations are good breeding grounds for cannabis addiction behaviours. People with weed addiction often have poorer social connections with family and friends. They also don’t have good job prospects.

The same is true for individuals suffering from mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. 

What Are the Signs of Addiction to Weed You Should Look Out For? 

As you can see, weed addiction can happen to people from a variety of walks of life. It can also damage their ability to thrive in life and cause them to develop several health issues. These facts prove that you can develop an addiction to weed and the importance of seeking a marijuana addiction treatment centre if you have this disorder. 

How can you know if you’re addicted to weed? There are several signs listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) that clinicians use to diagnose a marijuana addiction disorder. 

One common theme of these signs is the repeated seeking and usage of marijuana despite the consequences. An addicted weed user will often choose the drug over fulfilling important work, education, and social responsibilities. They’ll also forgo fun activities that they once enjoyed.

Any psychological or physical issues that happen as a result of weed usage will also not be barriers to consumption. 

The amount of time a person spends using cannabis and the amount of the drug he or she uses are also factors. Marijuana addicts often use far more weed and spend more time using it than they intend to. They may also have to continue increasing their usage because they have developed a tolerance. 

In the case that addicted users try to quit the drug, they often fail due to cravings and withdrawal. Psychological symptoms of withdrawal include health effects such as anger, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and depression. Physical symptoms include nausea, headaches, and a decreased appetite. 

Can You Go to Rehab for Weed Addiction Help? 

A marijuana addiction treatment centre can be one of the best options for recovering from weed addiction. An inpatient program here can help you get through the withdrawal symptoms of detoxing without having access to marijuana. As weed can be very hard to get out of your system, being in this type of environment can be a crucial part of your marijuana addiction treatment. 

Of course, detoxing is only a part of fighting off your addiction. You will also have access to lessons, therapies, and programs that will ensure that you don’t relapse once you re-enter society. These can help you address and fix any underlying psychological or situational problems, such as trauma or anxiety, that may have caused your marijuana addiction. 

Common therapy types used for recovering from marijuana addiction include behavioural methods like cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), contingency management (CM), and motivational enhancement therapy (MET). CBT works on breaking down negative thought patterns and behaviours and CM reinforces positive behaviours. MET, as you can assume from the name, helps an individual enhance their motivations and goals. 

In addition, you will be surrounded by others struggling with addiction. By talking with these people you’ll know that you’re not alone. You may also form relationships where you can help each other succeed. 

What Happens After You Leave a Marijuana Addiction Treatment Centre? 

You can expect your time in an inpatient addiction treatment centre to last from about one to three months. Afterwards, you can seek outpatient programmes that can prevent you from relapsing. This usually involves continuing and regular therapy sessions. 

Support groups such as Marijuana Anonymous (MA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can also be of great help for recovering from marijuana addiction. The creators have modelled these programmes after Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and they include the well-known 12-step programme. If you don’t find these of interest, the SMART Recovery programme is another possible option. 

What Is the Cost of an Addiction Treatment Center? 

Public rehabilitation facilities are often financed by the government. However, you will likely experience a long waiting time based on how many people are requesting treatment. On top of that, you won’t get a lot of personalized attention at these kinds of facilities. 

Private treatment centers are alternative options. However, these aren’t financed by the government. You can pay as much as $300 CAD for treatment at this center, but you will likely find that the cost is worth it. 

Heal From Your Substance Addiction Struggles at Our Ontario Facility 

In sum, the answer to “can you go to rehab for weed addiction?” is yes. The question you should be asking now if you’re struggling is why you want to seek marijuana treatment.

Once you have your reason set, remind yourself of it often. Recovering from marijuana addiction is a long journey and you’ll need every bit of strength you can find. Remember also that recovery is possible. 

When you’re ready, consider using our Ontario services. Our dedicated team provides compassionate and evidence-based substance abuse recovery services. Contact us now to get a no-cost consultation.