Looking for an answer for how to detox from marijuana? You’re on the right page. Prolonged use of marijuana can result in physical dependence, which makes withdrawing from marijuana difficult. But you can have a comfortable detox experience when you choose to have medical detox at an addiction treatment center. A medical detox for marijuana can help you in:
- Eliminating marijuana from the body
- Testing positive for marijuana
- Beginning the recovery process
Today, more than 18 million Americans are using marijuana. If you or someone you love is also a part of this population, then scroll down to know when you should start marijuana detox.
Do you or someone you love struggle with marijuana abuse? ChoicePoint can help you overcome marijuana addiction through holistic treatment. Get in touch with us today 844.445.2565.
Table of Contents
Do I Need Detox For Marijuana Withdrawal?
Before we discuss your options relating to how to detox from marijuana, let’s figure out if you need marijuana detox and, if so, what it is going to be like. With Marijuana becoming legal in 24 states, its use has dramatically increased since 2013. No matter how popular it is becoming, its frequent use can result in physical and psychological dependence on marijuana.
As a result, your brain starts producing less dopamine without marijuana, which leads to a decline in cognitive function. So, if you think you cannot function properly without marijuana, it means you are addicted to it and need marijuana detox to get over it.
Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms
Quitting marijuana after you have developed a dependence on it brings withdrawal symptoms. The intensity of these withdrawal symptoms varies from mild to severe, depending on your marijuana use and body composition. Some of the common withdrawal symptoms that you may encounter, regardless of the intensity, are:
- Headache
- Irritability
- Grumpy
- Restlessness
- Sleeping Trouble
- Memory Issues
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
It’s important to choose a detox method that can help you deal with withdrawal symptoms and provide support at every step.
How Long Does Marijuana Withdrawal Last?
How long marijuana withdrawal lasts depends on the frequency of marijuana use, the intensity of dependence on marijuana, and your body composition. Generally, the withdrawal symptoms are stronger during the first few days and slow down after one week. Marijuana withdrawal symptoms start to disappear following three weeks of marijuana detox, which allows you to address psychological and physical needs.
Did you know? 25% of people develop a marijuana addiction when they start smoking it in their teens.
Did you know? 25% of people develop a marijuana addiction when they start smoking it in their teens..
How To Detox From Marijuana?
There are two ways to detox from marijuana: at-home detox and medical detox. At-home detox is not a recommended method as it can bring more harm than good. While a new user might find success in quitting marijuana on their own, chronic users can’t detox from marijuana safely without professional help.
How To Quick Detox From Marijuana?
The best way to detox from marijuana is through a medical detox at an addiction treatment center. Medical detox provides clinical supervision to help you remove marijuana from the body, which makes withdrawal symptoms less intense.
Importance Of Medical Detox
Your doctor will recommend you taper down your marijuana dose instead of quitting cold turkey. This process helps make the withdrawal process easier. Other than the tapering strategy, a medical detox can also help you in the following ways:
- Tolerate the withdrawal symptoms
- Improve mental health issues
- Provide ongoing support via an aftercare program
- It provides a safe option, ensuring you withdraw comfortably
Please note this assessment is an initial self-screening, and it is not meant to be a medical assessment or clinical diagnosis of addiction. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint.
Options of Medical Detox For Marijuana Abuse
There are two options when it comes to detoxifying from marijuana under the supervision of addiction professionals: inpatient and outpatient settings. Here is an overview of how these settings differ:
Attributes | Inpatient Detox | Outpatient Detox |
How much time is required? | Requires you to reside in the treatment facility 24/7 under the supervision of DEA-certified professionals | You can attend detox part-time in flexible hours |
Can you go back to work? | You have to stay in the rehab | You can go back home and work after attending the rehab sessions |
How arranged Is the medical Detox? | Structured education and counseling sessions | Less structured than inpatient detox |
Is there exposure to temptations? | Since you reside in rehab, no exposure to the eliciting environment exists | There are higher chances of getting exposed to marijuana and other addictive drugs |
Whether you choose inpatient or outpatient detox, here are the steps you will follow when you reach out to a detox center:
- The first step of admitting to an addiction treatment center for a detox involves an initial assessment during which your health history is collected.
- The next step includes insurance verification. If you have one, you can verify it here.
- The third step consists of completing your registration online.
- Then, you will be connected to an addiction professional to plan your detox process.
- Finally, you will receive clinical treatment as per your requirements.
What Medications Does Medical Detox For Marijuana Use?
There are no FDA-approved medications for marijuana addiction treatment specifically, but addiction professionals supervising your medical detox can prescribe certain medications to ease fever or anxiety. Three of them are:
- Dronabinol (Marinol): To suppress the withdrawal symptoms
- Paracetamol: For fever and body aches
- Anti-anxiety medications: To help reduce fear, worry, and panic attacks
These medications can leave side effects, so do not try them alone. You should know that this is not medical advice. These are generally recommended medications. To know whether they can work for you or not, you should contact your addiction professional.
What Determines A Successful Marijuana Detox?
Marijuana addiction has several dimensions, and so does the detoxification process. There is not one single pathway that can lead you to a successful detox. Several factors come into play to make a detox great. A successful detox will address the following issues:
- Reducing pain
- Suppressing withdrawal symptoms
- Minimizing mental health issues
- Shunning an unhealthy lifestyle
- Preventing a relapse
Does Detox Guarantee an Addiction-Free Life?
Detox is the first step to recovery. It marks the beginning of your recovery journey. It can effectively remove marijuana residues from your system but does not assure that you will remain addiction-free. That’s why most rehabs couple medical detox with addiction therapies to help you address the mental health issues along with physical symptoms of marijuana use.
Medical Counseling For Marijuana Detox
Addiction is beyond the physical impact. It affects your mental health, deteriorating the skills required to live a normal life. That’s where addiction counseling comes in. It helps you learn the skills required for:
- Abstaining marijuana
- Preventing a relapse
- Building relationships with your friends and family
- Managing stress
- Curbing marijuana cravings
Marijuana Addiction Treatment In New Jersey
ChoicePoint is a co-occurring addiction treatment center in Fairlawn, New Jersey. We do not only provide inpatient and outpatient detox facilities but also a range of addiction therapies to help you address mental challenges associated with marijuana misuse. Feel free to reach out to us to begin your marijuana addiction treatment journey.
Query Corner Answering Top Questions Relating To How to Detox Your Body From Marijuana
Here are some of the queries people have been asking about marijuana addiction and detox.
How Long Can It Take To Detox From Marijuana?
The marijuana detox timeline varies from individual to individual. For light users, marijuana withdrawal symptoms can last up to a week or so. But for heavy users, withdrawal begins within 2-3 days of last marijuana use and stays as long as 2-3 weeks.
Can You Overdose on Marijuana?
Marijuana overdose is not common. However, taking high doses can put your mental and physical health at extreme risk, leading to irreversible damage to the heart, liver, immunity, and brain.
What Are Medicines Used During Marijuana Detox?
There is no particular medicine available for marijuana detoxification. But, your addiction professionals can use commonly available medicines to stabilize certain withdrawal symptoms like chills, headaches, and anxiety.
What Is The Best Way To Detox From Marijuana?
The best and safest way to detox is to choose a medical detox at an addiction treatment center. A rehab provides around-the-clock care and medical supervision to help you detox from marijuana safely without having serious withdrawal symptoms. They often combine medical detox with addiction counseling to address the mental repercussions along with the physical effects of marijuana dependence.
Does Cranberry Juice Help Detox Marijuana?
Cranberry consists of several chemicals that work in combination to dilute the urine and eliminate the marijuana from your bladder, but only for some time. It can even give a false negative test but does not completely detox marijuana in real time. So, it is essential to detox under medical supervision so that you can achieve long-term sobriety.
References
- Gallup. 2024. What Percentage of Americans Smoke Marijuana?
https://news.gallup.com/poll/284135/percentage-americans-smoke-marijuana.aspx - National Institute on Drug Abuse. Marijuana Facts For Teens.
https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/teens_brochure_2013.pdf - Harvard Health Publishing. 2024. Dopamine: The pathway to pleasure
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/dopamine-the-pathway-to-pleasure
Medical Disclaimer:
ChoicePoint aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice please consult your physicians or ChoicePoint's qualified staff.