Many people use marijuana because they feel that it is harmless. This is simply untrue. Many people also feel that marijuana is not addictive. Most medical professionals and addiction specialists also believe that this is false.
Is Marijuana Addictive?
The reality is that while marijuana may not be physically addictive (though many professionals believe it is), it is emotionally addictive. This is because people feel like they need to keep using marijuana to maintain a healthy mood.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Chronic, heavy, every day or almost-use of cannabis products with THC is associated with developing cannabis use disorder, a type of substance use disorder. Studies have estimated that 22% to 30% of people who use cannabis have the disorder. The strongest predictor of cannabis use disorder is how often someone uses it, but other factors, like a family history of drug use and how long a person has been using cannabis, can also play a role.” It is also important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of marijuana addiction (also known as cannabis use disorder).
The Signs and Symptoms of Marijuana Addiction
Now, the signs and symptoms of marijuana addiction are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms of marijuana addiction. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Not being able to stop once starting to use marijuana
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Isolating oneself from family and close friends
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- A lack of care regarding physical appearance and well-being
Now, as one can see, these signs and symptoms can be significantly damaging. This is why reaching out for professional help as soon as possible is critical. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
How to Recover From Marijuana Addiction
There are many effective means, methods, and modalities that can help you recover from marijuana addiction. Often, these come from three avenues of recovery. One is the holistic path, like utilizing yoga and meditation. Another is utilizing psychotherapies like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
When it comes to continued sobriety, it is important to utilize modalities that have minimal side effects. This is the case with most psychotherapies, especially EMDR. This is because EMDR is non-invasive and largely controlled by how you feel in the moment. This means that an EMDR session only has to go as far as you want it to.
EMDR offers a myriad of benefits for long-term recovery and sobriety. According to The Permanente Journal, “Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an empirically validated psychotherapy approach that medical personnel can employ to treat the sequelae of psychological trauma and other negative life experiences. Its ability to rapidly treat unprocessed memories of these adverse experiences has important implications for the medical community, as they appear to be the foundation for an array of clinical symptoms. Clinical applications of EMDR include a wide variety of psychological problems affecting patients and family members, as well as stress-induced physical disorders and medically unexplained symptoms.” There are also many experiential nature-based therapies that can help with marijuana addiction.
The Benefits of Nature and Surf Therapy for Recovery
There are two highly beneficial nature-based therapies that can help with marijuana addiction. The first is horticulture therapy.
Horticulture therapy offers many vast and varied benefits for recovery. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “People’s interactions with plants, through goal-oriented horticultural activities in the form of active gardening, as well as the passive appreciation of nature, could be therapeutic to people with mental disorders in many ways. First, horticulture could have emotional benefits, such as reducing stress, reducing psychiatric symptoms, stabilizing mood, and increasing the sense of tranquility, spirituality, and enjoyment. Second, it could help people reduce fatigue and restore attention and cognitive ability.” The other helpful nature-based therapy is surf therapy.
Surf Therapy can help with the emotional components that accompany marijuana addiction. According to the peer-reviewed journal BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, “Theoretical proponents of blue space interventions suggest that the independent benefits of water may result from its unique sensory inputs, like the relaxing sounds of waves or the smell of salt water. However, it is also important to examine possible processes of surf therapy practice to understand why it may work. An investigation of the mechanisms underpinning the effects of surf identified physical activity, water immersion, exposure to sunlight, transcendent experiences, reduction in rumination, and the satisfaction of basic psychological needs are factors that might explain the beneficial physiological and psychological changes.”
Our Primary Purpose at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, our primary purpose is to help you recover from marijuana addiction by any means necessary. This is why we always use individualized plans with the long term in mind.
If you are sick of being controlled by a marijuana addiction, then you are ready to recover. You can do this! We can help.
Many people are under the impression that marijuana is not addictive. This is simply untrue. It is psychologically and emotionally addictive (and many professionals argue that it is physically addictive as well). It is important to understand the dangers of marijuana addiction so you can then learn about the best ways to recover. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of mental illness, addiction, or both, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about the dangers of marijuana addiction, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
