This is a common question we get here at Washburn House. While we may not consider marijuana to be as physically dangerous as other drugs, its long-term effects and detox process can be just as distressing. The truth is, marijuana detox centers exist for a reason. Marijuana is addictive, and it creates problems for many who use it.
The withdrawal symptoms associated with marijuana use might not be as severe as they would be with other drugs. However, you might still find yourself needing the support a treatment center can provide in a vulnerable time like withdrawal.
At Washburn House, we help you detox in a way that helps you manage any symptoms you encounter and encourages a successful long-term recovery.
Marijuana Creates A Psychological Dependence
For many people, the sentence “I can quit anytime I want” is a commonly repeated phrase when considering their relationship with marijuana. They use this as a justification to continue their use and can often even cite the many reasons they smoke or use other cannabis products.
However, it is a common misconception that marijuana is not addictive and has few harmful effects. As with all addictions, we need to look at more than just the physical symptoms associated with it, to the difficulty it creates in all other areas of our lives. Consider the following:
- How are your relationships affected by your use? Are you less in-tune with your partner when you smoke? Does it affect how you are as a parent?
- How does it affect your productivity?
- How much money are you spending on marijuana each month? Each week?
- What are the risks you’re taking by smoking or using edibles? Legally? Financially?
- When do you most notice the desire to smoke?
While you may not experience cravings as you might for other substances, marijuana continues to expand its presence and control in your life and its place on your list of priorities.
When it was a long day at work, after you’ve wrestled the kids to bed, or after you’ve completed a time-intensive project for work or school, all these are situations where you are tempted to feel like you “deserve” to smoke. Looking closer, however, it’s easy to see the role that marijuana is playing in each of these scenarios: self-medication.
Whether you rely on marijuana to help you deal with the stresses you face as they happen or as you recover from them makes no difference. You are pairing your body’s stress response with the need to dissociate.
Psychologically, this becomes a difficult habit to break.
Physical and Psychological Symptoms
Again, while marijuana detox may not be as physically dangerous as it can be with other drugs, you will still experience the discomfort of withdrawal and the psychological and medical symptoms that will occur.
Symptoms of marijuana withdrawal include:
| Psychological Symptoms | Medical Symptoms |
| Anxiety
Depression Insomnia Lack of concentration or focus Mood changes Irritability |
Headaches or dizziness
Elevated heart rate Sweating or chills Muscle tension or aches Nausea or vomiting |
These symptoms can range from mild to more severe, and they will vary depending on your history with the substance. A longer history or higher frequency of use will cause more intense symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms may not be as dangerous or life-threatening as a detox from alcohol or other substances, but they can be unpleasant.
At Washburn House, we can help you complete detox successfully from our comfortable facility in Worcester, Massachusetts. We offer 24/7 monitoring by medical professionals and use medication-assisted treatment when necessary so that you can feel safe and comfortable throughout your detox experience.
Still unsure if you need marijuana detox or treatment? Contact us today to talk through the specifics of your situation, and we can help point you in the right direction.