Marijuana Addiction Treatment

Marijuana Addiction Treatment, or some times known as Cannabis treatment has psychoactive and physiological effects when you withdraw from taking it. Teen Challenge’s marijuana addiction treatment is free and open to everyone who needs to find freedom. Our residential rehabilitation programme for marijuana addiction is to help all addicts to take that first step and bridge the gap that helps you move from the dark to the light.

Marijuana has been around for centuries and the plant has been used to make rope, thread, and clothes and even smoked for its psychoactive properties and medicinal purposes. The drug has been widely used in America for more than 40 years. It is estimated that close to 5 million Americans regularly use marijuana. In the last 2 decades, surveys reveal that use of marijuana among the UK younger population of school and college students has widely increased. Recent data indicate the average age when marijuana used is 18 years.

The majority of individuals who use marijuana are also frequent users of alcohol and other illicit drugs, and therefore treatment will be necessary if the individual wants it. If you're struggling with marijuana or other substance addiction, then Teen Challenge can help. Our programme is free to enter, for more information you will need to apply to us.

Pharmacology

Marijuana is obtained from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant. The potency of marijuana depends on the method of preparation. Ganja and hashish are both three-five times more potent than marijuana. Although marijuana is usually smoked, it can also be eaten or mixed in beverages like tea, coffee and in very rare cases, it is also injected. Analysis of marijuana has revealed that the content of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is currently much higher than in the past 2 decades. THC is the primary psychoactive component of marijuana. The intoxicating effects of marijuana usually last approximately 2-3 hours.

Trafficking

The majority of marijuana available is smuggled from Mexico and is a low potency, commercial grade product. The high potent marijuana is usually home grown or smuggled in from Canada. Recent seizures indicate that the content of THC has increased in the home grown product. The states in America which continue to cultivate large amounts of marijuana are California, Kentucky, Tennessee, Hawaii, and Washington. Law enforcement data indicate that arrests for marijuana possession are up across the nation. The Bureau of Justice Survey indicates that about 12% of prisoners in the nation are serving time for a first marijuana related offense.

FREE help is available at Teen Challenge London.

Why do people need treatment from Marijuana?

Marijuana is used for several reasons including inquisitiveness, peer pressure or for fun. The majority of users claim that the drug often causes euphoria, a sense of relaxation, sexual arousal and easier socialization with other colleagues. The easy access, cheap price and minimum legal penalties have led to an increased usage of this drug in the past 2 decades.

Adverse Effects

Marijuana addiction use has been associated with numerous physical and behavioral adverse effects. The majority of users report some type of side effect. There have been numerous reports of motor vehicle accident and work related accidents which have been associated with marijuana use- usually related to mental clouding and sluggishness.

The safety of marijuana during pregnancy is not in question. Continued use during pregnancy has been known to cause a small size fetus with low birth weight. Also reported is that the children of mothers who have used marijuana during pregnancy have a higher rate of a type of blood cancer

Some patients with pre-existing medical conditions who use marijuana may be at risk for developing respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, emphysema and COPD. Marijuana smoke does not contain nicotine but does have significantly higher tar content than cigarettes- and this has been associated with a higher incidence of lung cancers in these patients.

The most common side effects of marijuana are cognitive deficits. Short term use has been associated with memory defects, mental clouding and confusion. Teen Challenge helps individuals seeking treatment for drug addiction and abuse through effective free drug rehabilitation and free education. Don't let yourself or a loved one continue to drown in the trap of drug abuse.

Tolerance and Dependence

Marijuana use can lead to abuse, tolerance and dependence. After long term use, withdrawal symptoms can develop if the marijuana usage is stopped suddenly Generally the withdrawal symptoms are mild and may include nausea, tremor, sweating, weight loss, insomnia, agitation and irritability.

Does Marijuana Have Any Medical Value?

Advocates of marijuana for medical use always claim that marijuana has some medical properties in the treatment of glaucoma, nausea, vomiting and tremor. However, today there are excellent and much safer drugs used to treat these medical conditions and there is no justification for the use of marijuana. However, some states do allow legal use of marijuana for improving appetite in Aids patient and decreasing the nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy.

Possible medical uses for marijuana: Anti emetic, Increase appetite, Decrease tremors, Decrease seizures, Decrease glaucoma, Decrease stress, Marijuana Abuse.

Although marijuana abuse in the younger populations is of a major concern, one needs to be aware that there are other patient groups that also abuse marijuana. Numerous individuals with certain psychiatric disorders such as stress, anxiety, post traumatic disorder and bipolar disorder have also been known to abuse marijuana. These concerns have led to many institutions obtaining direct disclosure of marijuana-related problems/usage, a positive urine drug screen prior to undertaking any therapy.

Marijuana Dependence Treatment

Prior to any intervention, most drug treatment programs include education, monitoring of drug use, strengthening of social support, treatment of possible comorbid psychiatric disorders and referral to a pain specialist.

Withdrawal and acute panic reactions / flashbacks during marijuana intoxication are usually managed with supportive therapy. In severe cases, low-dose benzodiazepines are used. Generally the withdrawal symptoms from marijuana are mild and do not required any drug therapy.

Patients with marijuana abuse or dependence are referred to a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program. Such programs are designed to avoid relapse and include comprehensive substance abuse and psychiatric evaluations, laboratory testing, group therapy, education, social services, individual counseling, and treatment of any co-morbid psychiatric illness.

Our rehabilitation programmes for Marijuana Addiction is open to everyone both men and women. Wilkerson House Center in London is open to men only and Hope House Center in Wales is for women. Both are residential and the programme term is 12 months, and this service is 100% free.

Often, these programs involve individual reflection about how problems with substance abuse develop the direct and indirect costs of substance abuse, bio-psychosocial triggers for substance use, relapse prevention strategies, ways to enhance coping skills and spiritual issues.

What to do now

At Teen Challenge our friendly, fully trained staff will listen, and assess your requirements. Fill out the online application form, tell us your full name, a contact telephone number, and an email address and one of our Support Workers or Centre Manager will then contact you. We are here for you and all support is free.