7 minute read
Cannabis Becoming A Problem: How To Manage Withdrawal?
For many years there has been an idea going around the cannabis community that using cannabis is not addictive and cannot be addictive. This has since been disproven and studies have shown using cannabis can lead to an addiction. The CDC says that the likelihood of becoming addicted is about 10%. However, with the number of people using marijuana growing so quickly, even at 10%, there are a lot of people going through a cannabis addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
Many are calling a cannabis addiction Marijuana or Cannabis Use Disorder. This usage disorder is diagnosed, as reported by Yale Medicine, by “meeting at least two of the 11 criteria, which include an inability to reduce consumption, constant cravings, and relationship and social problems.” [The complete list of the 11 criteria are as follows: hazardous use, social or interpersonal problems related to use, neglected major roles to use, withdrawal, tolerance, used larger amounts/longer, repeated attempts to control the use or quit much time spent using physical or psychological problems related to use, activities given up to use, and cravings.] Yale’s research so far has shown that using pharmaceuticals to combat this disorder has been unsuccessful. “There is an urgent need to develop effective treatments, either behavioral or pharmacological, for cannabis use disorder,” says Yale Medicine psychiatrist Deepak Cyril D’Souza, MD. “It is likely that the combination of behavioral and pharmacological approaches will be superior to either alone." While Yale is a reputable resource, let’s look into another study.
Research into what can be done to help with an addiction to cannabis is still ongoing, however, there are a few other reputable places we can look to for advice. According to Harvard Medical School’s Peter Grinspoon, MD, while cannabis withdrawal symptoms are not as serious and potentially life-threatening as symptoms from meth, cocaine, or opioids, they are still very real and very hard to navigate.
If you think you might have a use disorder Grinspoon describes it like this, “if one substituted "coffee" for "cannabis," many of the 160 million Americans who guzzle coffee on a daily basis would have "caffeine use disorder," as evidenced by the heartburn and insomnia that I see every day as a primary care doctor. Many of the patients that psychiatrists label as having cannabis use disorder believe that they are fruitfully using cannabis to treat their medical conditions — without problems — and recoil at being labeled as having a disorder in the first place. This is perhaps a good indication that the definition doesn’t fit the disease.” Many other studies I looked at described medical use and recreational use as different, with different side effects.
So as we can see, Harvard and Yale have nearly completely opposite conclusions in this study on cannabis use disorder. Yale says to try types of therapy and Harvard says to try types of medication. But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to combat withdrawal symptoms that are credible and useful for those who need them. Let’s start with what the symptoms of marijuana withdrawal typically include: diminished appetite, mood changes, irritability, sleep difficulties, insomnia, headaches, loss of focus, cravings for marijuana, sweating, including cold sweats, chills, increased feelings of depression, and stomach problems. These can vary from mild to severe depending on the person. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms remember that you are not alone and there are ways to feel better as these symptoms pass during the initial withdrawal period, the first 24 to 72 hours can be the hardest for some people since your body is used to using cannabis frequently.
It has been reported that the typical timeline for withdrawal symptoms looks something like this: the symptoms begin within the first week and tend to reach a peak after about ten days. After the peak hits, the symptoms should begin to decline over the next week to two weeks, some people last up to three weeks of decline. The definitive length of the symptoms will vary but it all depends on you and how much you used to and how frequently you would intake per day, the more you used the longer it will take to fully get over the withdrawal symptoms. It is also important to note that the American Addiction Center reported that while cannabis withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening,
“in some individuals, there is always the potential for someone to exhibit poor judgment, be more prone to accidents, and even develop suicidal thoughts as a result of the distress and depression that can occur during cannabis withdrawal. Thus, it is suggested that individuals who intend to stop using marijuana, especially individuals who used marijuana daily or nearly daily, discontinue use of the drug under the supervision of a mental health professional.”
Healthline says some of the ways to fight off withdrawal symptoms are to stay hydrated and drink lots of water. Be sure to avoid sugary, caffeinated beverages like soda or coffee. Eat healthy foods to fuel your body with a generous supply of fresh fruit, vegetables, and lean protein. Try to avoid junk food because it can make you feel sluggish and irritable. [It is likely the withdrawal will make you feel irritable already, you don’t want to add to it.] Exercise every day, it is important to squeeze in at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. This provides a natural mood boost, and it can help remove toxins as you sweat. [You will excrete leftover THC in your sweat.] Lastly, find support. Surround yourself with friends, family members, and others who can help you through any withdrawal symptoms you may experience.” That last piece of advice might be the most important for people experiencing withdrawal, it isn’t healthy, mentally or physically, to do these things alone, just as the American Addiction Center suggests.
If you don’t have people close to you that you feel comfortable talking to there are other options. Detoxification centers, Inpatient rehabilitation centers, Intensive outpatient programs, support groups, and therapy are all accessible and there to help you. We, as a society, are working past the stigma that used to be associated with the aforementioned places and there is no reason to be nervous when reaching out. The people there are there for one reason only, to help you overcome addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Do not be ashamed of seeking outside help when you need it.
