Quitting any drug after prolonged use can be challenging, especially if you’ve made it a habit. Once you start relying on marijuana as a coping mechanism to help you relax or face life’s daily stressors and challenges, you may encounter unpleasant, unexpected withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop smoking pot. Here’s what you should know about how to detox from weed.
How Long Does Weed Detox Take?
Detoxification is the process of clearing your body and mind from the toxins that accumulate after sustained drug use. It represents the first step toward long-term sobriety by ensuring you are healthy and medically stable enough to progress through the next stages of substance abuse treatment and counseling.
When you smoke or ingest marijuana, chemical remnants of the plant remain present in your body long after the initial effects have faded. Depending on factors such as your metabolism, body fat percentage and quantity of marijuana use, THC can remain detectable in your hair, nails, blood and urine for several months. THC is also different from other drugs in that it builds up in the body’s fatty tissues, where it can take longer to work its way out of your system.
Everyone’s weed detox experience is different, which makes the process unpredictable. While pot withdrawal may not be as acute as what you might undergo when trying to quit other drugs, it can have longer-lasting effects. Physical and psychological symptoms like irritability, nightmares, insomnia, anxiety, reduced appetite and discomfort typically peak after a few days and may last two weeks or more.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
Due to how drug use changes brain chemistry, some pot users continue experiencing symptoms like lethargy, mood swings, a lack of motivation and intermittent weed cravings for weeks, months and perhaps even years after they have stopped using the drug – a phenomenon known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome. These issues may lead you back to marijuana use, even after you have successfully sustained a lengthy period of abstinence. If you relapse, timely treatment is essential to avoid falling into your old patterns of substance abuse.
Reasons to Detox From Marijuana
Though more than half of U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized pot for medical and recreational purposes, research into the long-term effects of THC and CBD use remains extremely limited, due to the federal prohibition and classification of cannabis as a Schedule I drug. However, we know that ongoing marijuana use can cause problems with memory and concentration, suppress your immune system and increase your heart rate. Smoking and vaping can also lead to respiratory issues such as chronic cough and lung irritation, and may put you at a higher risk of illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia.
If your marijuana use is interfering with your life by affecting your relationships or health, but you’re finding it challenging to quit on your own, enrolling in an accredited holistic treatment program can change your life. At Vista Taos, our programming addresses our clients’ mental, physical and spiritual needs with life-changing amenities and experiences. Contact us today to learn more.
