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Cannabinoid Abuse, Addiction and Treatment

Cannabinoid Addiction, Abuse and How to Find Recovery Support

Cannabinoid abuse and addiction has become prevalent, partly because of its legal status in many states, including Washington. Treatment can help those who have grown dependent upon these drugs, and rehab is highly recommended. Without professional intervention, it may be nearly impossible to stop using them.

Most cannabinoid addicts do not realize that they are addicted because these drugs have a reputation of being non-addictive. But the reality is that they can quickly become psychologically addictive. They can also have devastating effects on the body that can be long-lasting.

We want people to know about the dangers of cannabinoids and how they can get help to stop using them. Recovery is possible, and though it may seem hopeless, the right support can change everything.

What are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are drugs that are used recreationally. They can be used in a number of different ways, including by smoking them, vaporizing them, ingesting them and by using them on a patch that’s applied to the skin.

Cannabinoids contain THC, which produces a euphoric high. Some of the most commonly used cannabinoids include:

In general, cannabinoids have been around for a very long time. However, the concentration of THC in them has changed drastically over the years. Today, it is possible to find varieties that contain more than 90% THC, which is a major change from what the normal amount was even just ten or twenty years ago. Higher levels of THC mean that the cannabinoids of today are much more potent than they once were, and they can do a lot more damage too.

If you’re addicted to cannabinoids, it’s so important for you to consider getting professional help for your addiction. Using cannabinoids can be dangerous, and cannabinoid rehab programs are in place that can assist you with stopping your use of them safely.

Cannabinoid Addiction Information

What is Cannabinoid Abuse?

Getting the right cannabinoid abuse facts is so important if you have been abusing one or more of the drugs in this classification. First of all, it’s vital to understand what cannabinoid abuse is and what it is not; especially because people tend to get it abuse confused with addiction.

Cannabinoid abuse refers to the use of cannabinoids in a recreational way, but doing so does not necessarily mean that you’re becoming addicted to them. When you’re addicted to cannabinoids, you experience a desire to use them on a regular basis, and if you’re not using them, you might experience withdrawal symptoms, or you might just not feel like your normal self. Cannabinoid abuse always leads to cannabinoid addiction, and it might not take long before an addiction forms if you’ve been using one of these drugs recreationally. Every exposure brings you closer and closer to an addiction.

The Effects of Cannabinoids on the Body

Even though there is a lot of information online about how various types of cannabinoids can positively affect the body and brain, there’s no denying that there are some pronounced negative effects too, but that these aren’t talked about as much as they once were. There are both short and long-term effects of cannabinoids on the body, and these can include:

  • Learning disorders
  • Decreases in IQ levels
  • An increase in psychotic disorders
  • An onset of manic symptoms
  • Long-term damage to the immune system
  • Onset of autoimmune diseases later in life
  • Problems in pregnancy
  • Onset of social anxiety disorder

Some people spend years of their lives using cannabinoids in one form or another, and these individuals certainly run the risk of experiencing several of these effects because of their cannabinoid use.

How do People Get Addicted to Cannabinoids?

There is a common belief that circulates among those who use cannabinoids that it is not possible to become addicted to them. This fact alone is what causes many people to choose cannabinoids as their drugs of choice, and they often don’t find out until much later that they’ve become addicted to them.

An addiction to cannabinoids happens just like any other addiction happens. The user begins using them sporadically, and then they start to use them more and more frequently. With each use, tolerance levels are increasing, which leads to using more of the drugs to get the same effects. When there is a lapse in drug use, withdrawal symptoms can kick in, and at this point, an addiction is evident.

Stopping cannabinoids on your own is never recommended because most people are not able to be successful. It’s best to choose cannabinoid treatment programs to ensure that you’re able to stop using them successfully and completely.

What is Cannabinoid Addiction?

Because cannabinoids are not viewed as being drugs that you can form an addiction to, it’s very common for people to become addicted to them without realizing that this is has occurred.

Perhaps you’re one of them, and the idea that you could have a cannabinoid addiction has come as a complete shock to you. If you’re unsure about what your relationship to cannabinoids is, and you wonder whether or not you have an addiction, knowing some of the more common cannabinoid addiction symptoms can help. These might include:

  • Not feeling like yourself unless you’re high
  • Struggling in school or at work
  • Experiencing issues in your relationships
  • Having financial problems because of your cannabinoid use
  • Being diagnosed with mental health issues that stem from your cannabinoid use

Have you noticed any of the above cannabinoid addiction signs in your own life? If so, your use of these drugs has likely become an addiction, and can no longer be considered cannabinoid abuse.

Do Cannabinoid Addicts Experience Symptoms of Withdrawal?

Once many people find out that they’re addicted to cannabinoids, it’s typical for them to attempt to stop using them on their own. This can cause a host of problems, and there are symptoms of withdrawal to be aware of.

Some of the more common psychological symptoms of cannabinoid withdrawal include:

  • Feeling symptoms of depression
  • Changes in your sleeping habits
  • Changes in your eating habits
  • Becoming very restless
  • Symptoms of anxiety
  • Irritability or mood swings

Some of the physical symptoms that can accompany cannabinoid withdrawal include:

  • Becoming very shaky inside and outside
  • Experiencing abdominal pain
  • Chronic, painful headaches
  • Getting a fever (high or low grade)
  • Getting chills
  • Hot or cold sweats

Sometimes, these withdrawal symptoms lead to people going right back to using cannabinoids again, which can create an addiction cycle that’s hard to break. Getting professional help to stop using cannabinoids is the preferred method of quitting.

Inpatient Cannabinoid Rehab in WA State

When stopping the use of cannabinoids, it’s important to consider the benefits of inpatient rehab. Inpatient treatment provides the type of wrap-around services that are needed during addiction recovery, and patients are able to participate in:

  • Group therapy where they can discuss their addictions with a group of their peers
  • Addiction counseling to help them understand why they became addicted in the first place, and to facilitate healing from the source of their addictions
  • Family therapy as a way to involve the family in the recovery process
  • Activities that can help with building new skills for use after rehab is over
  • Relapse prevention therapy to help guard against relapsing

In addition, inpatient cannabinoid rehab provides patients with time away from negative environments that may have contributed or even led to the addiction.

What to Expect During Cannabinoid Addiction Treatment

People are often nervous about what to expect when they go to drug rehab. People who get addicted to cannabinoids never consider the fact that they may need professional help one day. As a result, they are typically less likely to take that step. But there are so many rewards that await them once they do.

Usually, people who are addicted to cannabinoids will not need to go through detox. They will go through the withdrawal phase, as we mentioned earlier. But their symptoms are typically mild and easy to manage. Of course, this is not the case for everyone.

The main focus during recovery from this addiction will be on rehab. People who use cannabinoids often do not realize that they are abusing drugs as a way to self-medicate. They use them as a way to escape something else that is happening in their lives. During treatment, those issues will be addressed appropriately through therapy.

Our Drug Rehab Program at Northpoint Washington

At Northpoint Washington, we offer one of the most effective drug rehab programs in the state. We are located in Edmonds, which is very convenient for people who live Seattle, Bellevue, and nearby cities.

When patients come to us for help, they are often surprised to learn how attentive we are. We maintain a very low patient population and we only have 22 beds. This allows us to be more effective on an individual basis than we would be otherwise. We want our patients to know that we take their personalized care seriously and we are determined to help them succeed.

Every patient who walks through our doors is treated like a person and not a number. We carefully assess each person during our intake process. This allows us to provide individual treatment plans that are targeted to meet individuals’ needs. We believe that this is something that sets us apart, and it is why our success rates are so high.

We offer a number of different services as a way to meet our patients’ personal needs. As we mentioned previously, some of the people we work with will need to go through detox. But most of them will not. Those who do will find that it lasts about seven days.

Rehab is the next step in the recovery process. During this phase of treatment, patients receive several types of therapy. They will be matched with an addiction treatment therapist who will work with them in individual sessions. They will also participate in group therapy sessions, 12-Step meetings and family sessions.

Our rehab program lasts for 28 days, but the addiction is not cured once that time period has come and gone. We cannot express the importance of quality aftercare enough. Our staff will carefully set each patient up with an aftercare plan that will meet their needs.

Dual diagnosis treatment is a way of treating people who suffer from co-occurring disorders. Many of our patients with cannabinoid addictions come to us with mental health conditions that also need to be treated. They may be suffering from:

Our goal is to identify these conditions and offer the patient the proper treatment. By addressing both at the same time, our patients experience a better chance of long-term success as they recover.

Likewise, cross addictions are extremely common among people who are addicted to cannabinoids. A cross addiction occurs when a person is addicted to more than one drug at a time. It can also refer to being addicted to a drug and a certain behavior, such as sex.

The term cross-faded is often used when describing an addiction to both marijuana and alcohol. But regardless of what the other addiction is, addressing it and treating it is the goal. If it is ignored, the person is likely to go back to using.

Will Health Insurance Cover the Cost of Addiction Treatment?

It’s possible that you can remember a time when if you wanted to go to cannabinoid rehabs, you had to pay for your treatment out of your own pocket. It was only just a few years ago when many health insurance companies did not provide benefits to help with the costs associated with cannabinoid treatment centers. However, because of changes in healthcare laws in the United States, this is very different today.

If you’re familiar with the Affordable Care Act, then you undoubtedly know that everyone in the U.S. is now required to have health insurance. What you might not realize is that health insurance companies are also required to help pay for cannabinoid addiction treatment. This is such a great change because more people are able to get the help they need to recover.

Cannabinoid Addiction Treatment

Learn More About Cannabinoid Abuse, Addiction and Recovery

At Northpoint Washington, we know how hard it is to admit that you have an addiction. It is even harder to admit that your condition is so severe that you need treatment in order to stop. We want you to know that we understand and we are here to help you.

Many of our staff members have also recovered from addiction. They are no strangers to how challenging it can be, and they are standing by, ready to offer their assistance. It will take time, and it will be a struggle to recover, but we promise that it will be worth it. Getting clean is the best feeling in the world, and we cannot wait for you to experience it.

Would you like to learn more about cannabinoid abuse and addiction? Do you have questions about our rehab program? Please contact us right away and we will be happy to help you.

Talk to a Rehab Specialist

Our admissions coordinators are here to help you get started with treatment the right way. They'll verify your health insurance, help set up travel arrangements, and make sure your transition into treatment is smooth and hassle-free.

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