The use of marijuana is on the rise in the United States, with approximately 14 million people diagnosed with marijuana addiction in 2020 alone. This means that there is an increase in THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana) drug addiction as well. Not only does the THC addiction harm your brain health, but quitting drugs without professional help may result in severe withdrawal symptoms. The good news is, with the right THC drug detox method, you can have a smoother transition to THC-free life.
Want to attain a sober lifestyle from marijuana addiction? Call us today at 844.445.2565 or schedule an appointment.
Table of Contents
What is THC Drug Detox, and Why is it important?
THC drug detox is the process of eliminating THC from your system, which may enter through consuming marijuana (weed), a product of cannabis. THC, also known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive chemical that makes marijuana one of the most intoxicating drugs. Marijuana is made up of more than 400 chemicals, but THC is the most important in terms of altering the mind and body functions. Some of the adverse effects of marijuana addiction resulting from THC include:
- Loss of body coordination
- Varied sleep patterns
- Extreme lethargy
- Eating disorders
- Mouth dryness
One can also overdose on marijuana, so to avoid any potential threat, it is important to quit marijuana safely through a medical drug detox under medical supervision.
How Does THC Work?
Whether you have been smoking marijuana or vaping it, you have THC in your system. Learning how THC negatively affects your physical health will motivate you to abstain from this drug.
- THC enters the lungs through smoking marijuana.
- From the lungs, it quickly escapes to the bloodstream.
- Blood transports it to your brain and the rest of the body, including hair, urine, and saliva.
- Within the brain, THC binds to the brain cells that control memory, mood, problem-solving skills, and body movements.
- As a result, you may start to experience a decline in cognitive functions, immune system, and appetite, depending on how much you consume marijuana.
Did you know? THC concentration in marijuana has significantly increased from 2% in the 1980s to up to 95% in 2017 onward?
Did you know that THC concentration in marijuana has significantly increased from 2% in the 1980s to up to 95% in 2017 onward?
Is It Safe To Do THC Drug Test Detox On Your Own?
If we had to answer it in one word, we would tell you it is not. Consuming weed for longer periods results in dependence, which means your body will not function normally without weed. Attempting to quit on your own can result in mild to severe withdrawal signs, depending on how much you have been consuming the drug. Some of them could appear as:
- Sleep irregularities
- Mood swings
- Trembling
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
- Depression
- Episodes of stomachache
Natural THC Detox for Drug Test: Do These Work?
The best way to detoxify is by referring to medical procedures. However, following home remedies for weed detoxification is also very popular, as they are deemed natural and fast. The most common at-home THC drug detox remedies are:
- Taking apple cider vinegar to boost metabolic rate and enhance overall well-being
- Drinking coffee to increase metabolism, particularly the frequency of urination
- Consuming warm lemon juice to ease the digestive process
- Taking dandelion root tea in hopes of eliminating THC
- Using detox shampoo on your hair scalp to wash off the drug from hair follicles
- Rinsing your mouth with a detox mouthwash to pass the saliva test
- Taking detox pills rich in herbs & vitamins to increase your metabolism
Although these methods claim to provide a fast THC drug test detox, they lack scientific evidence to support their use. The constant cravings can even pull you back to weed addiction, causing a relapse. Additionally, everybody functions differently. It means something that might have worked for your friend, colleague, or relative might not work for you. It is highly recommended to seek professional help to avoid facing undesirable consequences.
Medical Detox: The Best Way to THC Drug Test Detox
The best method for marijuana detoxification is medical detox. Medical detox is the process in which a person dealing with addiction can cope with the drug withdrawal effects under professional supervision. The ultimate goal of a medical detox is to withdraw from the drug so you are well prepared for your next steps of addiction recovery.
Table: Stages of Medical THC Detox For Drug Test
Stages of Medical Drug Detox |
What Happens During the Process |
Examination | Staff may collect information about the following:
– Medical history – Intensity of drug abuse – Type of Insurance – History of drug abuse |
Monitoring | The patient is supervised under professional care until the last trace of the drug is eliminated. |
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) | Medicines such as antidepressants, naltrexone, and ibuprofen can be administered to help patients deal with withdrawal symptoms. |
Aftercare program | Patients work with therapists and addiction counselors to identify triggers and work on relapse prevention techniques. |
Since marijuana has a high concentration of THC, it is not uncommon to experience mental problems, including panic attacks, psychosis, and anxiety. So, an important goal of medical detox is also overcoming your mental health challenges, and the effective way to do that is by opting for a dual diagnosis program.
Dual Diagnosis For Wholesome Recovery
Marijuana addiction often comes with mental health problems. That’s where a dual diagnosis program can help you. Dual diagnosis facilitates overcoming mental health and addiction issues at the same time. During a dual diagnosis, you’ll receive support through targeted sessions to heal from within. A few of the effective therapies you may receive depending on your mental condition are:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Individual Therapy
- Family Therapy
These are usually personalized therapy programs to help each individual with varying needs to cope with withdrawal symptoms, and mental health issues efficiently.
How Much Time It Takes to Detox From THC?
The time that it takes to detox THC drug from your body depends on these four factors:
- Which type of marijuana, weed, or cannabis have you been consuming?
- How are you consuming the drug (smoking, vaping, ingesting)?
- How frequently do you consume weed drugs?
- How many fat cells are there in your body?
Once your medical professional has answers to these questions, they’ll choose the suitable detox process for you. Besides these factors, the THC detox for drug tests also depends on how well you have changed your lifestyle and adapted to healthier living. Some lifestyle changes to help you combat withdrawal include:
- Drinking plenty of water
- Doing moderate exercise
- Eliminating caffeine until stable
In a nutshell, it can take from a few days to several months for weed’s THC to leave your body so that you can pass the THC drug test detox.
Did you know? Men and women respond differently to marijuana. Women are likely to become more tolerant of marijuana than men.
Did you know? Men and women respond differently to marijuana. Women are likely to become more tolerant of marijuana than men.
Opting ChoicePoint For THC Drug Detox
ChoicePoint Health has one covered if you’re searching for a detox facility near you. We’ve four levels of care to help you walk through the detox process, and pass THC detox for drug test:
- Outpatient programs
- Intensive outpatient processes
- Inpatient detoxification
- Partial Hospitalization Program
We take extra care to provide our clients with personalized treatment plans that suit their physical and mental health. Our certified staff support you throughout the treatment, from the initial assessment to the medical detox and beyond. Our insurance coverage and online doctors support have made it easier for our clients to follow the addiction treatment without worrying about their work commitments or paying out of pocket.
Answering the Most Asked Questions about THC Drug Detox
Since marijuana is already legal in a lot of states, there are always a few questions people are asking about THC detox. We’ve tried to address the important ones below:
Can you Detox from THC in One Day?
It can take some time for THC to leave your body depending upon:
- The type of marijuana, weed, or cannabis you have been consuming
- The mode of drug consumption (smoking, vaping, ingesting)
- The frequency of consuming weed
- The amount of fat cells in your body
Can You Die from a Marijuana Overdose?
Fortunately, life-threatening marijuana has never been reported. But, it’s always to be on the safe side and not overdose because an excessive amount can cause paranoia.
Can You Fail the THC Drug Test if You’ve Inhaled Secondhand Marijuana Smoke?
No, unless you have inhaled it for several hours in an enclosed room, you will not fail the THC drug test.
Can Detox Drinks Help Me Pass the THC Drug Test?
Detox drinks can only provide a temporary solution but won’t help you pass a test. These drinks often affect your samples’ creatinine levels, pH, and color, making them unacceptable.
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.