What are the best marijuana addiction treatment options?

There are various rehabilitation options across the country—typically, the severity of addiction and the extent of the drug use determine what method of treatment is needed. Unfortunately, many people who use marijuana do not perceive any risk of using the drug. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, among people aged 12 or older, the percentage who perceived great risk of harm from smoking marijuana once or twice a week declined from 36.3% in 2015 to 29.2% in 2019. Because of the perception of a lowered risk,fewer people are accessing treatment for an addiction involving marijuana. Family intervention is a common option that many families take to help their loved one addicted to marijuana, and it does work.

However, the first step is deciding what the best marijuana addiction treatment options are. Typically, an addiction assessment is a good place to begin because the assessment would determine the extent of addiction and what rehabilitation options are available. Assessments could be done over the phone or in-person, and they are beneficial to the family and addict. The first step with rehabilitation is detox, and usually, conventional detox programs are the most effective for marijuana addiction. Marijuana does not create dangerous withdrawal symptoms, and medical detox is not often required. However, marijuana abuse is part of large drug problems, which may require the help of a medically supervised detox.

Most short-term and long-term drug rehabilitation programs offer conventional detox services as part of treatment. Detox is essential to manage withdrawal cravings and symptoms before treatment. Following detox, the next step with treatment takes place in a residential or outpatient treatment center. Like detox, the severity and extent of addiction determine what method of treatment is required. An addict who has been through multiple treatment programs and struggled with chronic relapse would benefit from a long-term residential facility. However, someone who has never been through rehabilitation and in the early stages of addiction may benefit from a short-term residential treatment center.

Outpatient programs are also effective, and these services help addicts that are still working, have family responsibilities, and have the necessary family support at home. Outpatient treatment requires the patient to attend treatment daily and not live at the facility. Overall, rehabilitation for marijuana addiction should be well-rounded and address all aspects of the addiction. Rehabilitation should also include aftercare support, which involves 12-step meetings, or even a sober living home. Marijuana is an addictive drug and is usually linked to more severe addiction problems. Finding the right help is important, and an addiction assessment or working with a family interventionist is the best place to begin the search. Family interventionists have access to resources to help the family determine what method of treatment is needed. It is crucial to speak with the experts, ask questions, and gather information to make informed decisions.

Sources-https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt29393/2019NSDUHFFRPDFWHTML/2019NSDUHFFR1PDFW090120.pdf