Marijuana Addiction Treatment

As it has been one of the most available drugs on the market for such a long time, we see plenty of people struggling with marijuana addiction. If you believe that what was once an occasional occurrence has turned into an addiction you (or your loved one) are no longer able to control, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact Little Creek Recovery. Our marijuana rehab in Pennsylvania is geared toward people of all ages who want to work with licensed and experienced therapists. With our facilities nestled in the woods of Lake Ariel providing you with a tranquil setting and access to many different outdoor activities, you can find your path to an addiction-free life with our therapists guiding the way.

Marijuana rehab at Little Creek Recovery 

Once a person decides to attend our marijuana rehab program, the first step is being assessed by a professional with experience. The goal of this assessment is to gather some crucial pieces of data regarding your addiction. This allows us to recommend the best treatment plan and program, based on the particular case – and the severity of the addiction itself. As a drug and alcohol rehab facility in Pennsylvania, we offer the two most important programs during recovery – Inpatient and Outpatient. Each program has its pros and cons, of course, but both can be utilized to great effect. The choice between the two will usually depend on your personal situation, preferences, needs, and goals. The first step, however, is understanding what each program entails.

Inpatient marijuana rehab

Inpatient programs in Pennsylvania are usually best suited for people with a severe form of addiction. They entail residing in marijuana rehab facilities for an extended time, where clients will be able to get 24/7 care and monitoring. Since marijuana is a milder substance, people can choose to attend residential inpatient treatment as opposed to the standard form of this treatment.

By opting for the former, you will still receive constant care and support. The only difference is that you will be granted more liberty, as you will have more free time. If you believe that you can make good use of this free time, we wholeheartedly suggest opting for this form of treatment. If you have any co-occurring mental health conditions, however, it may be prudent to opt for the latter. That way, you will have the advantage of constant medical supervision, as well as 24/7 support.

Outpatient marijuana rehab

Due to the nature of marijuana addiction, many of our clients will be able to attend the outpatient rehab program. Those individuals get to reside in their own homes throughout the duration of their treatment. Of course, you will still need to attend therapy and rehab-related activities. How often you will have to do this depends on the form of outpatient marijuana rehab program that you choose. There are several types of outpatient marijuana rehab Pennsylvania programs, including PHP, IOP, and OP programs. Between the three, you are guaranteed to find an option that suits your needs the best. With that in mind, let’s take a look at each option in a bit more detail.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

As the most intense form of Outpatient treatment, the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is made for those individuals who have a moderate to severe form of addiction. It requires you to attend rehab five to eight hours a day, five to seven days a week. You get to live inside your home between the sessions. Needless to say, few people require this level of intensity from their marijuana rehab center. However, the option is there if you have any co-occurring conditions or if you simply wish to spend more time in treatment. Of course, moderate to severe marijuana addictions have been known to happen, as well. In general, however, you will most likely be better served with either an IOP or OP treatment.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a program that is most often recommended for patients with moderate addiction. While attending this program, you can tend to your daily responsibilities and live in your own home. However, you will still need to attend frequent rehab sessions a few hours a day, a few times a week. This is the “middle ground” as far as outpatient program intensities go. Most people who develop a strong marijuana addiction will get the most benefit from IOP treatment. Do note that you can, at any point, change the intensity of your treatment program. Provided, of course, that this is in your best interest. If you want to change your intensity level, the best thing is to talk to your addiction specialist and figure out whether that is the best choice for you.

Outpatient Program (OP)

Our OP treatment can be considered the standard and the least intense form of Outpatient treatment. As such, our professionals usually recommend it to people with mild marijuana addiction. Those attending this program will have to attend rehab for a few hours a day, once or twice per week. We usually don’t recommend this form of treatment for most substances. However, since marijuana is generally a milder substance, this could be the right form of treatment for you if you have not yet developed a severe marijuana dependence.

While OP treatment is generally sufficient for most marijuana addictions, the fact of the matter is that it will still leave you with plenty of free time. This can cause an adverse effect in some cases, as the overabundance of time may influence you to go back to your old ways. If you see that as a possibility, you may want to consider a more intensive form of treatment.

So far, we’ve been saying that addiction to marijuana is not as dangerous as some other forms of addiction. While this is entirely true, addiction to marijuana can still have considerable negative consequences. There are good reasons why seeking marijuana rehab Pennsylvania is in your best intention, after all. To understand why that may be the case, let’s take a look at what marijuana actually is.

What is marijuana?

Marijuana is a mixture of the dried flowers of Cannabis sativa. It is usually smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes, although it can be taken in a few other ways. Marijuana contains a psychoactive chemical, called THC. THC is responsible for most of the intoxicating effects of marijuana that appeal to people in the first place. In order for cannabis to be considered marijuana, it needs to have a THC concentration of 0.3% or higher. If you are consuming marijuana with a minimum THC concentration, developing an addiction is not likely.

However, the problem is that you can get your hands on marijuana with a much higher THC level. Then there’s synthetic marijuana that can be hundreds of times stronger than what you might be expecting. More often than not, people visit a marijuana rehab center due to addiction to synthetic marijuana. While “natural” marijuana may cause addiction if taken in excessive doses, the addiction is mostly psychological.

The reason why marijuana is addictive is the fact that its effects produce feelings of euphoria and relaxation. They also increase one’s appetite and can cause uncontrollable laughter. Thus, people can even use marijuana for medicinal purposes. In fact, some countries have legalized marijuana for this exact purpose. Of course, this isn’t something one should decide without a doctor, even in those countries. The fact of the matter is that consuming marijuana can lead to addiction, and you can end up with more problems on your hands.

The difference between marijuana addiction and dependence

People oftentimes use the words addiction and dependence interchangeably. These two terms bear two completely different notions, as a person can be dependent on a substance but not addicted to it. It can be difficult to differentiate between the two, but the distinction can be made nevertheless.

Marijuana addiction

Individuals who have a marijuana addiction experience both physical and mental symptoms and reliance on the drug. This process involves a significant change in one’s behavior. Marijuana users with addiction find themselves unable to function when the drug is not in their system. Moreover, they might see and understand the detrimental effects that marijuana has on their bodies, yet they choose to ignore it. That is why addiction is more serious than dependence, and it requires more assistance. Basically, addiction to marijuana means that you have to deal with both your cravings and your body’s physical reliance on marijuana at the same time. Needless to say, this can be a lot more challenging than simply developing marijuana dependence.

Marijuana dependence 

When a person becomes dependent on marijuana, they usually develop a physical dependence on the drug. They experience the symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal. While people who are dependent on marijuana might not have a full-scale addiction, it usually means that one is right around the corner. In other words, dependence always precludes addiction. If you find yourself dependent on marijuana, or any other drug for that matter, the best course of action is to seek treatment.

Whether dealing with addiction or dependence, Little Creek Recovery is here to help. Our team of professionals at marijuana rehab Pennsylvania has experience with both of these circumstances, which is why we have no doubt we can provide help on your journey. Of course, we will tailor a plan depending on the severity of your addiction or dependence.

How do people use marijuana?

Most people use marijuana by smoking it as a cigarette. There are other tools that can be used for smoking marijuana, such as a bong or even soda cans. However, marijuana users ought to be aware of the fact that marijuana smoke is carcinogenic, and American Lung Association recommends further testing about its negative effects on the lungs and the respiratory system.

Vaping is another way in which marijuana can be used. Vaporizers are easy to conceal and portable, and they produce less marijuana smell than smoking. Moreover, vaping is less harmful than smoking, and marijuana users report getting a better high when using vaporizers.

Marijuana can also be used orally. Many people put this substance in food and drinks, most commonly brownies. Marijuana edibles and marijuana oils have become legal in some states, which might have increased the number of people addicted to this substance.

Regardless of the way in which you use marijuana, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact us if your habits have gotten out of control. It will be our pleasure to help you fight the cravings and the habits that you associate with marijuana use.

What are the effects of marijuana?

The chemical compounds in cannabis can cause a variety of feelings and sensations. However, every person will experience different effects after taking marijuana. Most commonly, feelings of extreme relaxation and euphoria are present. But other common effects which vary from person to person include heightened sensory perception, laughter, increased appetite, and altered perception of time. Some people might not feel almost anything at all. Furthermore, the effects of marijuana lessen with prolonged use, as your system builds tolerance to the drug. This can lead to much higher consumption to achieve the desired effect.

Once you start consuming much more of the drug, all of the health risks and side effects increase. While you may be able to enroll in a marijuana rehab Pennsylvania program and cure your addiction, you may have to live with some of the negative effects for the rest of your life.

With that in mind, marijuana can produce both short-term and long-term effects. Let’s take a look at both.

Short-term effects of marijuana

The short-term effects of marijuana take place as soon as an individual takes the drug. Luckily, they are almost always reversible, and their effects will pass after the drug leaves your system. A person can experience a plethora of short-term effects after consuming marijuana, including:

• Poor muscle coordination and judgment
• Poor memory and ability to learn
• Short attention span
• Difficulty thinking and articulating thoughts
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Depression
• Anxiety attacks

For many people, experiencing a few of these short-term effects of marijuana will be enough to turn to a professional for help. If you believe that you could use professional assistance with your addiction, feel free to contact us. Our experts at our Pennsylvania marijuana rehab center will do their best to keep you away from both the short-term and long-term effects of marijuana use. While these short-term effects might look scary on their own, they are far from being the worst that can happen from marijuana addiction. Unfortunately, marijuana can produce numerous long-term side effects, as well.

Long-term effects of marijuana

While the short-term effects usually pass, the long-term effects of marijuana can have devastating consequences. Marijuana can affect many of the most important systems in your body. Severe abuse of this substance over a course of time can lead to:

• Cancer
• Breathing problems
• Immune system deficiencies
• Fertility problems
• Birth defects in unborn children
• Memory problems

As you can see, there is quite a risk of developing a marijuana addiction. While you can get treatment for most short-term (and some long-term) side effects, some problems may haunt you for the rest of your life. Therefore, it is always best if you don’t allow things to go that far. If you are struggling with marijuana addiction, seek help immediately!

One of the reasons why many people fail to seek marijuana addiction treatment on time is the fact that they don’t consider the drug to be addictive. While this may have some technical merit, let us assure you that marijuana rehab Pennsylvania is very real and very needed. Let’s take a look at why that is the case.

Is marijuana addictive

Marijuana is not a drug as potent and addictive as heroin or cocaine, that much is true. In fact, a person consuming cannabis has about a 10% chance of developing an addiction. However, it is still wise to be cautious, as marijuana is, after all, a drug. A 10% chance is a lot higher than a 0% chance, after all. Taking excessive amounts of cannabis in all of its shapes and forms can (and will) result in addiction. Of course, like with every other form of addiction, there’s also a suitable treatment for marijuana use. Little Creek Recovery specialists will gladly help you find your way to recovery and long-term sobriety.

Can a person overdose on marijuana?

Luckily, overdosing on marijuana is extremely rare. Extremely rare does not mean nonexistent, however. The fact of the matter is that marijuana is dangerous, as it comes with plenty of adverse effects. Moreover, marijuana misuse can also result in a hospital visit, not to mention that it can cause cancer. So while marijuana might not be likely to cause a fatal outcome like heroin or cocaine, it still comes with a plethora of dangers. The best thing you can do is to be mindful of them, at the very least.

Marijuana detox

Before you begin treatment at Little Creek Recovery, you first need to go through detox. This process is a very important piece of the puzzle because it aims to remove all traces of THC from your system. By going through detox, you will have to experience some difficult symptoms of withdrawal. And while you might be able to detox your body from THC by yourself, it’s still better to do so with professional help. Our experts will help you go through detox and withdrawal as comfortably as possible. Luckily, marijuana detox is as mild as detox goes. That being said, there are several withdrawal symptoms that you might want to be prepared for.

Marijuana withdrawal symptoms

The symptoms of withdrawal are the most difficult part of detox. Moreover, they are usually the most physically challenging part of recovery. All people who are severely addicted to any substance should think about Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). Medication will lessen the symptoms of withdrawal, making it easier for you to go through this process. Some studies even show that medications can assist with long-term sobriety. If you have never come face to face with drug withdrawal, then you probably don’t know what to expect. The following are the most common symptoms of marijuana withdrawal:

• Chills
• Night sweats
• Marijuana cravings
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Headaches
• Loss of focus
• Diminished appetite
• Mood changes

As you can see, most of the withdrawal symptoms are psychological. However, psychological symptoms can sometimes be much harder to deal with than physical ones. Coupled with the fact that you may get severe headaches during the detox process, making sure that you have medical support at hand can be extremely important. While the symptoms themselves might not be usually enough to warrant inpatient treatment, most people simply cannot manage on their own. This is precisely why marijuana rehab Pennsylvania centers exist. By undergoing detox and subsequent treatment at a marijuana rehab center, you will be able to minimize your withdrawal symptoms, receive professional medical care, and overcome your addiction in the most comfortable way possible.

Contact us today and receive marijuana treatment at Little Creek Recovery

Having a marijuana addiction can seriously impair the quality of your life. If you believe that your addiction has taken a toll on your private life, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact Little Creek Recovery. We have a team of specialists with rich experience in the field of addiction and recovery. With their help and guidance, you will be able to choose the best marijuana rehab Pennsylvania program for your needs and get the necessary help. Whether your addiction is mild or severe, our treatment center will be able to provide the appropriate care.

References:

www.medlineplus.gov

www.drugabuse.gov/publications