Marijuana Rehab Center in Los Angeles, California

Contrary to a persistent myth, you can become addicted to marijuana. This drug doesn’t pose the elevated danger of addiction that heroin or other opioids do – but that does not mean that marijuana use is a risk-free endeavor. 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 10%-30% of people who use marijuana may develop cannabis use disorder (which is the clinical term for marijuana addiction). The risk of addiction appears to be greatest among people who started using the drug before age 16.

The fact that marijuana has been legalized or decriminalized in many states contributes to the mistaken belief that marijuana is completely safe. Alcohol and prescription painkillers are also legal substances, and their misuse can be a source of considerable harm. The same is true of marijuana.

At Sanctuary Treatment Center in California, marijuana rehab for adults is one of many services we offer. If you have become dependent on marijuana, or you know someone who has, we can help.

If you have begun to suspect that someone you care about has been abusing marijuana, keep an eye out for signs and symptoms such as these:

• Red or bloodshot eyes
• Impaired coordination
• Difficulty focusing, concentrating, or following a conversation
• Pungent odor
• Increased appetite
• Lack of energy 
• Diminished motivation
• Possession of rolling papers, small pipes, bongs, and other paraphernalia

If a person’s marijuana use leads to addiction, they may begin to exhibit the following signs:

• Needing to use marijuana virtually every day
• Being unable to experience joy or simply have fun without marijuana
• Relying on marijuana to manage stress or cope with disappointment
• Spending a significant amount of time seeking, acquiring, and using marijuana
• Failing to meet personal and/or professional responsibilities due to marijuana use
• Having unexplained financial difficulties
• Using marijuana in ways that are particularly dangerous, such as in combination with other drugs or prior to operating a motor vehicle
• Continuing to use marijuana even after prior use has caused problems such as job loss, arrest, or relationship difficulties
• Becoming anxious or agitated when they can’t use marijuana
• Needing to use larger amounts of marijuana or more potent strains to achieve the effects they desire
• Wanting to stop using marijuana but being unable to do so

Any marijuana use can be dangerous, but when a person becomes addicted, their risk for significant harm can increase considerably. 

Dangers

Untreated marijuana addiction can lead to negative outcomes such as the following:

• Memory problems
• Cardiovascular (heart and lung) damage
• Physical injuries due to reckless behaviors or impaired coordination
• Legal problems, including being arrested, fined, and jailed
• Conflicts with spouses or partners
• Onset or worsening of co-occurring mental health symptoms
• Job loss and unemployment
• Hallucinations and delusions
• Paranoia

You don’t have to wait until you’ve experienced these or any other effects before you seek help. Remember: Thankfully, marijuana addiction is treatable. Also, a marijuana rehab center can help you overcome the compulsion to use this drug. 

Depending on the needs of the person who is receiving care, a marijuana rehab center in California may include a combination of medication and therapy. 

There is no medication that specifically treats marijuana addiction. But many people who receive treatment at marijuana rehab centers have also been living with anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, or other mental health concerns. It’s not uncommon for a person to begin using marijuana in an attempt to self-medicate the symptoms of a mental illness.

If a medication can alleviate a person’s mental health symptoms, it may be prescribed as part of the person’s care.

Therapy is a vital component of treatment at marijuana rehab centers. Therapy sessions can help people identify the reasons they began to use marijuana in the first place. In addition, therapy can also help them manage the symptoms of any co-occurring mental health disorders they have developed.

At our marijuana rehab center, clients may receive the following types of therapy and related services:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy
• Holistic therapy
• Neurofeedback

Many people unfortunately cling to the outdated belief that overcoming addiction is simply a matter of willpower. This is not true. Addiction is a chronic, progressive disease. If you have become addicted to marijuana, you need help. Here are a few reasons why a marijuana rehab center may be the best choice:

• You can work with experienced professionals who understand the challenges of marijuana addiction and can prepare you for the obstacles you will encounter as you work to maintain your recovery.
• You can share support with other people who are also receiving treatment for addiction. Isolation can undermine your recovery. Your time in a marijuana rehab center can help you discover the power of active engagement within the recovery community.
• Opportunity to develop specific skills and strategies that will help you resist relapse. Knowing how to respond ahead of time can empower you to react to difficult situations in the healthiest possible manner, without resorting to marijuana abuse.
• You can receive personalized care for any co-occurring mental health concerns that may have contributed to your marijuana use, or that were exacerbated by your struggles with marijuana addiction.
• Before you transition out of treatment, you can get a discharge plan that identifies the professional resources and community-based services that can support your continued progress.

If you can benefit from a rehab center for marijuana in California, Sanctuary Treatment Center is here for you. We offer personalized care in a safe, structured, and highly supportive environment. With our help, you can finally end your marijuana use and start living a healthier life. Contact us today to learn more.