Marijuana addiction is a common problem in the U.S. Marijuana is the most commonly used drug in the United States, after alcohol and tobacco. While it’s not as addictive as other substances, some people will still develop an addiction to it. In fact, 30% of people who smoke cannabis regularly will develop a cannabis use disorder, and roughly 10% will develop an addiction to it.

At Engage Wellness Acton, we are committed to helping people overcome their addictions. That’s why we work together with detox facilities in Massachusetts to help our clients find a detox program that works for them and take that first step toward recovery.

If you’re looking to start the detoxification process or just interested in learning more, here’s everything you need to know about this crucial first step in marijuana addiction treatment.

What is Marijuana Detox?

Marijuana detox consists of “flushing” the drug out of your body by abstaining from taking it. Typically, it takes 12 – 24 hours for the cannabinoids (including THC and CBD) to leave your bloodstream.

During this process, it’s normal to experience withdrawal symptoms as your body adjusts to a marijuana-free state. Thankfully, withdrawal symptoms from marijuana use are not severe and will not cause serious harm. However, every individual experiences withdrawal symptoms differently, and you may find your experience to be better or worse than you expected.

During the withdrawal period, it can be difficult to resist the temptation to take marijuana to relieve your symptoms. Relying on the help of trusted professionals and a solid support system during the withdrawal stage can help you resist the urge to take the drug.

The marijuana detox process sets the foundation to break the cycle of marijuana use and makes further treatment more effective.

What Happens During Marijuana Detox?

Your experience of the marijuana detox process will depend on a lot of factors such as the detox type, how long you’ve been using marijuana, your sex, age, and much more.

When you go through this detox process, you’ll go through three key steps.

Step 1: Evaluation

You’ll meet with a medical professional who will go through both your medical history and marijuana use, to determine the best course of treatment during your detox. You’ll also go through a psychological assessment to highlight any potential mental health comorbidities that may be driving your marijuana addiction. This will help your physician make informed decisions for a personalized detox plan.

Step 2: Detoxification

You will go through abstinence from the drug to flush the substance out of your system. Throughout this time, you’ll be in regular contact with your medical lead. The amount of time you spend with them will depend on the type of detox treatment you opt for.

At this stage, you’ll most likely experience withdrawal symptoms, which is why regular check-ins with your medical lead are crucial to the success of your marijuana detox treatment.

Depending on the severity of your marijuana addiction, this period will typically last anywhere from a few days to three weeks.

Step 3: Post-detoxification Treatment

Once you’ve completed the marijuana detox process, you may need more help to break the cycle of addiction.

At Engage Wellness Acton, we provide treatment for marijuana addiction that targets the root cause of your addiction. This could include things like mental health therapy (including CBT, MET, and counseling) and providing a support system to help with the social aspects of addiction.

The Detox Process

Seeking help for a marijuana detox might seem daunting, but knowing what to expect can help ease your concerns. Here’s what you can expect during your marijuana detox:

The First 24 Hours

During the first 24 hours, most people do not experience withdrawal symptoms as there is still some cannabis in the system.

Days 2 and 3

At this point, as the majority of marijuana metabolites have been removed from the bloodstream, withdrawal symptoms are likely to start. In most cases, these initial withdrawal symptoms are fairly mild.

Day 4 to Day 21

During this period, it’s common for withdrawal symptoms to increase in intensity. Everyone is different and will reach the peak intensity of their symptoms at different points — for most people, this happens between days 7 to 14 but it’s common to experience intense withdrawal symptoms for up to three weeks.

Day 22+

At this point, most people will start to see a significant decrease in their withdrawal symptoms as the body gets used to living without marijuana in the system.

It’s important to note that while this timeline reflects the average detox process, your experience may not mirror this. For some people, the process is a lot faster, for others, it can take longer.

Being self-compassionate and accepting your unique detox timeline will help you cope better with your withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of relapsing during this difficult yet vital part of your marijuana addiction treatment.

Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms are an unfortunate part of the detox process. Thankfully, unlike other addictions, marijuana withdrawal symptoms tend to be less severe and will not cause serious physical harm or death.

Still, withdrawal symptoms can be distressing and cause significant disruption to your life.

During your marijuana detox treatment, you may experience any of the following withdrawal symptoms:

• Increased cravings
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Nightmares or disturbing dreams
• Anxiety
• Depression
• High irritability
• Insomnia
• Anger
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Sweating

These symptoms are a normal side effect as your body adjusts to the lack of cannabis in your system and learns to adjust to life without it.

For most people, these symptoms will peak in severity during the first couple of weeks depending on the severity of your marijuana addiction, but the duration varies widely depending on numerous individual factors.

Sleep disturbances and nightmares may persist for longer, lasting anywhere from a week to a couple of months. Again, every person’s experience is unique.

For those with underlying mental health disorders like anxiety or mood and personality disorders, it’s more common to experience withdrawal symptoms. During your detox evaluation, you will be given the mental health support you need during your marijuana detox treatment.

Types of Detox

Choosing the right marijuana detox type for you is key to the success of your treatment.

There are two key detox options to consider.

Inpatient Detox Treatment

Inpatient marijuana detox treatment occurs at a specialized detox facility where you’ll be under 24-hour care from medical professionals during your treatment.

You can expect regular supervision from medical staff, as well as a structured routine during your stay to help cope with your withdrawal symptoms. You may also receive mental health therapy to help you cope with your symptoms.

This option is recommended for people who may struggle to complete the process at home. That could be because your home environment presents too many triggers or you don’t have an immediate support system to help you through your detox.

Outpatient Detox Treatment

Outpatient marijuana detox treatment allows you to detox at home while having daily appointments with your medical lead where you will discuss your progress and concerns. They’ll also assess your physical and mental health and provide any necessary support.

Outpatient treatment works well for people who want to detox at home while still benefiting from professional help during the marijuana detox process. Those with a strong support system at home will have better success with an outpatient program.

Statistically, those who undertake inpatient treatment are more likely to successfully overcome their marijuana addiction than those who opt for outpatient treatment. However, this is a highly individualized experience and everyone will react differently.

Speak to your detox lead about your options and concerns. They’ll give you their professional opinion on which option best suits your individual needs.

Finding the Right Marijuana Detox Facility

Asking for help is the first step to marijuana addiction recovery.

At Engage Wellness Acton, we’re here to support you in your journey. We help clients over the age of 18 take back their lives and confidently overcome their addictions. With our wide network of detox facilities in Massachusetts, we can help you find the best place to start your marijuana detox treatment.

Call us today to discuss your marijuana addiction treatment options here at Engage Wellness Acton

We can also provide you with information on detox facilities in Massachusetts so we can start your addiction recovery journey and get you the help you need.