About 9% of people who consume cannabis become addicted to it. More than the lack of self-control, this could be brought on by various emotional, psychological, and social factors such as stress and peer pressure or influence. When left untreated, marijuana addiction can lead to cannabis use disorder (CUD), resulting in impaired physical and mental health, relationships, and day-to-day functioning. Thankfully, easing off the dependence is entirely possible with the help of therapy and encouragement from loved ones.
The best way to combat addiction is to undergo rehabilitation. There are several programs to choose from, all designed to aid those struggling with marijuana addiction through an individualized and multi-faceted approach to treatment. But aside from helping patients overcome marijuana abuse, rehab also offers tons of other benefits that could help patients live a more productive, healthier, and happier life.
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Form Healthier Habits and Routines
When people fall prey to drug addiction, they tend to develop detrimental behaviors that enable their addiction and discourage healthier habits. Self-care also often becomes neglected. Therefore, establishing a healthy routine is crucial to breaking and replacing these self-destructive habits.
One of the main activities emphasized during rehabilitation is the creation of daily routines full of productive activities to keep recovering patients engaged.
It may include:
- Group or individual counseling sessions
- Various forms of therapy, self-care, and recreational activities
- Tasks that will allow the patients to relax and converse with each other
Even after conquering the battle against marijuana addiction, the healthy habits drilled into their psyches will most likely stick and allow them to lead a productive lifestyle.
Sort Out Underlying Issues
Getting caught up in marijuana addiction is the effect of distress rather than the cause. For many people, it is a means to cope with or escape traumatic life events, stress, problems, and difficult emotions. It is also commonly used to ease the symptoms of psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, irresponsible dosing and chronic use might take a toll in the form of addiction.
Introspecting and identifying the underlying causes of drug abuse is of utmost importance in treating addiction. Only after acknowledging the root cause can you start the recovery process. Quite understandably, doing it on your own is daunting. Some people even choose to ignore the issues, preferring to sweep them under the rug. That is where trained counselors and psychologists come in. These mental health professionals can help patients identify underlying problems and help them build coping strategies that do not rely on marijuana use.
Sorting out these underlying issues will lead to emotional and psychological healing. It then allows for increased life satisfaction and well-being.
(Re)discover Talents and Hobbies
Patients undergoing treatment for marijuana addiction are often taught various ways of dealing with drug cravings in a healthier, more productive way. One of the most common methods is engaging in recreational activities and hobbies that would keep their minds off drug cravings. It allows them to rediscover things that they used to love or even unearth hidden talents. After (re)discovering such interests and skills, they can keep doing this for a living or recreational purpose, even after finishing treatment.
Overcome Withdrawal Effects
After using it for so long, quitting marijuana is bound to trigger withdrawal symptoms. It can be extremely uncomfortable, which is why the temptation to go back to using marijuana for relief may prove to be irresistible. However, with therapy, medical attention, and support from loved ones, it is possible to overcome withdrawal symptoms without relapsing.
Restore Default Cognitive Capabilities
Marijuana use directly affects the parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, attention, decision making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time. As a result, it produces the following short-term effects:
- Memory impairment
- Lack of focus or short attention span
- Disrupted motor control
- Changes in mood
- Impaired learning skills
- Impaired decision making and problem-solving
- Delayed information processing and reaction time
- Psychosis (in heavy users)
Fortunately, the symptoms of cognitive decline are reversible in adult users. By quitting the addictive cycle, the patient will be able to undo such cognitive impairments and restore their natural mental vigor.
Rekindle Relationships
Once a person starts sinking in the vicious cycle of addiction, it is bound to affect relationships negatively. Conflicts occur when a partner loses his/her job or ditches responsibilities because of addiction. Consequently, it could lead to shutting out friends and family members. Fortunately, mending broken relationships and making amends is easier after sobering up and recovering from marijuana addiction.
Save More Money
Marijuana costs a pretty penny. The cost of using premium quality and high potency strains more than once a day can be prohibitive. Kicking the addiction through rehabilitation helps save money, which can then be allotted for household utilities, bills, education, and other productive causes such as starting a business.
Find New Friends
Joining support groups and in-patient rehabilitation programs allow the patient to spend time with other people who also struggle with marijuana abuse. It fosters a safe, stigma-free environment where patients could share their struggles and progress. Having this common ground is usually a good reason for people to form friendships and close relations. This sense of companionship could persist even after recovery.
Traversing the Path to Healing
The path to recovery after falling prey to addiction is a long one. It takes time, effort, commitment, and courage, but it is worth traversing. Not only will it allow you to sober up and ditch your self-destructive habits. It can also bring about life-changing benefits.
At times, you might think that you are doomed to stay in the addictive cycle, but take heart, for there is always hope. Cannabis addiction is a treatable condition. With enough willpower and the willingness to get better, kicking the habit of addiction is entirely within your capabilities. You may slip every once in a while, but don’t be discouraged. Try again and keep in mind that relapse is part of the recovery process.
If marijuana falls into the wrong hands all these benefits can easily spiral down to hell. It should be noted that too much of it is still bad for the body.