More than 14 million teens and adults in the U.S. have diagnosable problems related to marijuana use. Among all substances, only alcohol use leads to more annual cases of addiction. These figures point to a pressing need for marijuana treatment. However, for various reasons, many affected people don’t seek help. Today, effective options are available for overcoming marijuana addiction. Many people also need treatment for one of the mental health issues that often accompany this form of addiction.
Basics of Marijuana Addiction
Like all addictive substances, marijuana causes problems when it starts altering the function of your brain. First, you become physically dependent on the drug. Next, you become psychologically or emotionally dependent. Your emotional need for marijuana can drive you to seek it out and use more of it compulsively.
Doctors diagnosing marijuana addiction look for several telltale symptoms. The list of these symptoms includes:
- Losing control over your level or frequency of marijuana use
- Making marijuana-related activities the focus of your typical day
- Cutting out other kinds of activities in favor of marijuana use
- Having a rising tolerance to marijuana’s effects
- Feeling symptoms of withdrawal if you stop taking the drug
- Not being able to quit using marijuana after trying two or more times
- Maintaining a pattern of use that you know is damaging to you
You may also be affected by symptoms of non-addicted marijuana abuse. These symptoms often overlap with those of addiction.
Overcoming Marijuana Addiction with Psychotherapy
No medication is currently known to help people affected by marijuana addiction. Instead, treatment programs rely on psychotherapy. Three specific therapies frequently help people treat their addiction:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT supports your recovery in a variety of ways. First, it helps you better understand how addiction affects you. It also teaches you to recognize habits of thought, emotion, and action that reinforce addiction. In addition, CBT helps you undo those damaging habits. CBT also enables you to cope with your urges to use marijuana.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
Many people in recovery resist genuinely engaging in their treatment. As a result, they don’t get the full benefits of their time in rehab. The goal of MET is to help you overcome your resistance to treatment. It also allows you to build your own motivation to succeed in your recovery.
Contingency Management
Contingency management helps you overcome treatment resistance in another way. You receive rewards that appeal to you when you meet specific recovery goals. You don’t receive any rewards when you don’t meet those goals.
How to Overcome Marijuana Addiction: Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Marijuana use and addiction have links to several forms of mental illness. Examples of these illnesses include schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and depression. If your addiction accompanies one of these illnesses, you have a condition called dual diagnosis.
How do you manage a dual diagnosis? Achieving this goal requires you to take two steps. First, you will need treatment for your addiction. In addition, you will need treatment for the specific mental illness affecting you. Recovery specialists must carefully coordinate your overall care plan to meet both of these goals.
For Help Overcoming Marijuana Addiction, Turn to Northpoint Colorado
Want to learn more about how to overcome marijuana addiction? The experts at Northpoint Colorado are standing by to assist you. We’ll help you sort out your available options and make suitable recovery choices.
No matter the severity of your addiction, our customized plans will support your recovery. We also have the expertise needed to support your recovery and manage dual diagnosis conditions. Call us today at 888.231.1281 or complete our simple online form for more information on our marijuana addiction program.