Although marijuana is one of the most commonly abuse substances in the United States, many myths persist about how this drug can impact people. One of these myths is that a person cannot become addicted to marijuana. The truth is that many people can and do develop cannabis use disorder (which is the clinical term for addiction). Once a person has become addicted, their path to recovery may involve several steps, including learning how to detox from marijuana.
How Long Does Marijuana Stay in the Bloodstream After Use?
When you are exploring how to detox from marijuana, you will probably want to know how long this drug can remain in your system. The answer to that question can depend on several factors, including your age, gender, weight, and metabolism, as well as how much marijuana you have been using.
Research indicates that as much as 90% of marijuana will be eliminated from your body within about five days after your most recent use of the drug. However, depending on which type of drug screen you complete, you may test positive for marijuana for up to three months after your last use.
Why is it a Good Idea to Detox from Marijuana?
Before we discuss how to detox from marijuana, it can be valuable to explore why this process is so important.
Detoxification, or detox, is the process of eliminating a toxin (in this case, marijuana) from your system.
Successful detox can be a significant step toward a marijuana-free future. An unsuccessful attempt at detox can push you deeper into the darkness of active addiction. This is why it can be so important to understand your options for how to detox from marijuana.
How to Detox From Marijuana
Research indicates that about 50% of people who regularly abuse marijuana will develop withdrawal symptoms when they abruptly end (or significantly reduce) their use of this drug.
Common symptoms of marijuana withdrawal include anxiety, irritability, loss of appetite, depression, and disrupted sleep patterns. Some people also experience physical symptoms such as stomach pain, headaches, chills, and excessive perspiration.
People who are deciding how to detox from marijuana have two general options: enduring withdrawal on their own at home, or receiving care in a medical detox program.
At Home Methods
If you try to complete marijuana detox at home, you are basically banking on your ability to withstand a few days of psychological and physical discomfort. This can be difficult for many reasons, including the fact that you will always know that you can ease this discomfort by using marijuana.
When you’re at home, it’s likely that you will have easy access to this drug. As your withdrawal symptoms intensify, the knowledge that you can easily make the pain go away can undermine even the most fervent desire to stop using marijuana.
You may try to manage your symptoms by meditating, going for long walks, distracting yourself with other healthy activities, or talking through your emotional distress with a friend.
Marijuana Medical Detox
When you enroll in a medical detox program for marijuana, you won’t have access to cannabis or any other addictive substances. This removes the relapse threat that is virtually omnipresent when you try to get through withdrawal at home.
Other benefits of completing withdrawal at a reputable marijuana detox program include:
- You will be under the care of a team of experienced professionals.
- Your treatment team will be familiar with the entire detox process and prepared to address any contingencies that may occur.
- Depending on what type of withdrawal symptoms you experience, your treatment team may be able to offer both medical and therapeutic support.
- Once you successfully complete detox, you can transition directly into a residential or outpatient program, where you can start to build a foundation for long-term recovery.
How to Stop Using Marijuana Entirely
Detox can help you rid your body of marijuana. But it can’t address the psychological and behavioral aspects of marijuana addiction. If you have become trapped in the downward spiral of compulsive marijuana abuse, professional treatment may be the ideal option.
Potential benefits of treatment include:
- Gaining valuable information about the disease of addiction and the process of recovery
- Identifying your triggers, which are the events or circumstances that could undermine your recovery efforts
- Learning strategies for avoiding triggers or responding to them in a healthier manner, without resorting to marijuana abuse
- Addressing any co-occurring mental health disorders or other concerns that may have prompted you to begin using marijuana, or that could complicate your recovery efforts
- Developing and practicing important recovery-support skills, such as effective communication, self-advocacy, conflict resolution, and problem solving
- Sharing support with others who have also struggled with addiction and who are working to gain a solid foothold in early recovery
Resources for Marijuana Addiction
As you explore treatment options for marijuana addiction, or as you work to progress in your recovery, here are some resources that can help:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Cannabis DrugFacts page
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Marijuana Risks page
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH): Marijuana Use Among Adults brochure
- CDPH: Let’s Talk Cannabis page
- Marijuana Anonymous (MA)
- Mar-Anon Family Groups
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Contact Our Marijuana Detox Center in Los Angeles, California
If you have tried and failed to stop using marijuana on your own, Los Angeles Detox may be able to put you on the path toward successful, long-term recovery. When you choose our marijuana detox center in Los Angeles, California, you will work in active collaboration with a team of skilled and dedicated professionals. These compassionate experts can assess the full scope of your needs, then develop a personalized plan to help you achieve the healthier and more hopeful life that you deserve.
For additional details about how LA Detox can help you, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
