Marijuana

Using marijuana regularly can lead to dependence – you need it just to feel 'normal'. Eventually you need to smoke more and more to get the same effect. You spend a lot of time thinking about it, buying it, and using it. You may begin to crave it. It can become a physical need and a mental obsession.

It becomes an addiction when you can’t stop using it even when it causes problems in your health and your life.

Short term effects

The effects of smoking marijuana are immediate, though they’re different from person to person. You may find it very relaxing because it can help reduce anxiety and pain. Things may slow down and your mind can easily drift, which is usually experienced as pleasurable. Negative experiences from marijuana such as feeling paranoid, distrustful, and anxious are more common if you use too much, if the marijuana is very potent, or if you are new to using the drug.

Long term effects

People who use marijuana often are more likely to say they notice signs of depression or anxiety. Other emotional changes can include:

• Not caring about things that used to be important to you
• Neglecting work, school, relationships, responsibilities, and personal health
• Losing interest in setting and reaching goals
• Feeling angry and aggressive

There are also long-term effects on the body as well as problems being able to focus, think, and remember. It can take up to two years of not using marijuana to feel interested again in actively living your life.

There are signs you can watch out for to see if you are dependent on or addicted to marijuana. These include:

• Thinking about it often
• Smoking more than you had planned to
• Craving it if you cut back or stop quickly
• Focusing on getting high rather than on work, school, friends or family

These screening tools can help you think about your marijuana use and see how it is affecting your health and your life. You can take them in the privacy of your home or wherever you feel comfortable. The results are confidential.

There are many stages in the recovery process. The first steps are accepting that you have an addiction and it is harming your life. When you are ready and willing to change it is time to plan your recovery.

Learning about the different recovery choices can help you get the support you need to stop using marijuana and stay drug-free. This opens up the chance to create the life you really want to live.

There are many tools to help you each step of the way.

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of short-term talk therapy often done in group settings, can help you change the thinking and beliefs that keep you stuck and can start you on a more positive track.

• Motivational therapy helps you feel ready to change and willing to start treatment.
• ICART (integrated cannabis and anxiety reduction treatment), for people with more severe cannabis use who also have anxiety, treating both conditions together (ICART) helps people stay in treatment longer and remain abstinent.

• Support groups like 12-step programs and other peer-based recovery groups offer encouragement and a solid base of understanding from people who have been through the same issues as you.

• Addiction counseling and sober living homes may give you the support you need in the earlier stages of recovery.
• Out-Patient Treatment can help with early recovery issues and is a good thing to consider. These structured programs may help you stay in treatment longer which increases your chances for success.

Our TREATMENTS section describes many recovery choices so you can find the ones that feel right to you. Also see our PROGRAMS & SUPPORT section for ongoing ways to support your recovery.

Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of marijuana abuse. Continuing research may lead to medications that help ease withdrawal, block the effects of marijuana, and prevent relapse.

12-STEP PROGRAMS

Twelve-step programs are an important part of recovery. With addiction you can become isolated - and after a while you may feel more attached to drugs than to your friends and family. That’s why the help of others is vital for healing.

These programs are based on a set of guiding principles and the support of people who share their experiences of stopping drug use and staying drug-free. People recovering from many types of addiction can join a 12-step program.

NON 12-STEP GROUP PROGRAMS

These self-help support groups give you tools to change the harmful and defeating thoughts that underlie addiction. Unlike 12-step programs, they do not rely on a higher power, sponsors, or steps for sobriety. The focus is on finding strength and self-control within yourself. There are in-person meetings with peers as well as daily online meetings, chat rooms and message boards.

Faith-Based Recovery Programs

These programs approach recovery through various religious traditions including Christian, Jewish, Islamic and Buddhist.

A faith-based recovery program understands that addiction and substance use is not just a physical problem – it reflects the spiritual and emotional suffering of an individual. These recovery programs seek to restore each person’s well-being through guidance and spiritual support, and encourages them to transform their lives totally.

To learn more about the different religious-based programs see our PROGRAMS & SUPPORT section.

Apps

Mobile apps give you another tool to support your recovery. They offer practical support that is affordable, private and always available.

Apps can track sober time, help you manage triggers and emotions, find and share meetings, contact your sponsor discretely, keep you motivated, connect you with a recovery community, and more.

Many good apps are available for both the iPhone/iPad and Google Android phones. Of note, it is estimated that 7 out of 10 free apps use ads. This can be distracting and because ads use data they can cost you money in the long run. Many apps offer a premium version as an in-app purchase which has extra useful features and usually no ads. You can try out the free version of the app and upgrade to premium if it is helping you.

Build a Sober Network

Connect with people socially who are also working on their sobriety for support, sharing and encouragement. Staying connected is a vital part of recovery so you don’t become isolated. Support helps you heal and grow.

ONLINE MEETING AND CHAT ROOMS

A chat room lets you communicate in real time on the Internet. Everyone who is logged in sees what you are typing, but two people can still have a private chat on the side. People from any location can join in, making them an ideal format for groups of people.

Chat meetings are chat rooms with a chairperson who introduces topics for people to address. Chat meetings are scheduled in advance for a specific period of time.

MA Online meetings usually use Zoom. The group sets them up, gets a meeting code and password and sends the information to all members of the group. Or the group sends the information to Central Office, who post the info online.

Holistic Approaches

Holistic therapies support recovery and lasting sobriety. They can help you cope with early withdrawal symptoms - and throughout the recovery process.

Over time you can build better health, inner calm and strength – so you can think more clearly and focus on what is best for you. You may also find it easier to connect with others, your deeper self or to something greater than yourself, however you define that.

For those in recovery, holistic approaches work best when they are part of professional treatment and they are often part of addiction recovery programs. Studies show that success rates improve strongly when holistic approaches are included in treatment.

• Practices such as yoga, meditation and exercise help reduce stress and ease withdrawal symptoms. This makes it easier to cope with emotions tied to marijuana use and lowers the risk of relapse.
• Through mindful awareness you begin to notice your thoughts and feelings but not react to them in the usual way. That is very powerful. You learn to focus on the present, stay centered and keep your mood steady. This helps you become aware of your cravings and triggers without being overwhelmed by them.
• Relaxation approaches such as deep breathing, hypnotherapy and guided imagery are practices you can use any time you need help to remain calm, centered and relaxed.
• Approaches such as deep breathing, hypnotherapy, guided imagery and relaxation are practices you can turn to immediately when you need help to remain calm, centered and relaxed
• The arts, including music, painting, writing, drumming, crafts and dance, can help you lighten your mood and express feelings that cannot be easily put into words.
• Therapies such as acupuncture and massage help rebalance your body, reduce anxiety, and improve your energy and mood.

Even sharing your thoughts and talking about your emotions with others in recovery can help you feel less alone.

Part of a holistic approach also includes being in nature. Finding a safe, quiet and natural place can refresh the soul and provide the space to explore whatever form of spirituality moves you.

To learn more about specific holistic therapies and their place in recovery visit our HOLISTIC SUPPORT section.

SOBER LIVING HOMES

Sober homes are designed to provide safe and supportive group living for people recovering from addiction. They are based on peer support, daily structure and learning new life skills in a setting that is free of alcohol or drugs. They serve as a transition between treatment and return to normal life.

Thousands of sober homes exist in the United States and there are many different types. At a minimum, they offer peer-to-peer recovery support while others have professional clinical services to promote long-term recovery. There are residences for specific populations such as language spoken, male or female, women with children, by age, co-occurring problems, medication status, and prison re-entry.

See our SOBER HOUSING section for help in finding sober living homes near you and across the country.