A Simple Guide to Marijuana Detoxing at Home
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If you've used any kind of drug in the U.S., the chances are good that it's weed. According to the CDC, marijuana is the most commonly used federally illegal drug, as about 18% of Americans smoked it at least once in 2019.
Although weed has a reputation for uplifting a user's mood, some people find that it leads to frustrating health and social problems. They may even find it difficult to stop: the CDC also notes that around 3 in 10 users end up with marijuana use disorder.
That's where marijuana detoxing becomes so important.
Curbing your weed use can help improve your mood, focus, energy, and more. Of course, it's often easier said than done. How do you quit when you feel so dependent on this drug?
Let's take a look at the basics of marijuana addiction treatment, including why it works and how to do it on your own.
The Science of Marijuana Detoxing
Before we dive too far into tips on treatment, let's discuss how a weed detox works.
Marijuana is a psychoactive drug. Though many states are challenging its federal classification as a Schedule I drug, the bottom line is that it can be an addictive substance.
This happens because of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol.
THC is the major psychoactive component of marijuana. It's also what makes you feel the classic "high" you get while using weed.
The sensation of a "high" can include symptoms like euphoria, good humor, and relaxation. It also includes more negative symptoms like anxiety, confusion, and impulsivity. In high quantities, weed can also cause hallucinations, delusions, and panic.
THC is also a cannabinoid, meaning that it's a chemical compound that binds to the cannabinoid receptors in our brains. Cannabinoids like THC are what drug tests search for, as they remain in your body long after the consumption of marijuana.
The first goal of any marijuana detox is to remove THC and other cannabinoids from the body. If you're doing a detox to pass a drug test, this is the most crucial part of your treatment.
THC can linger in the body for different amounts of time depending on the person. Factors like your metabolism, body makeup, and the amount of marijuana you've used will play a role. This is true whether you've inhaled or ingested weed.
For some people, their detox revolves around waiting for the body to purge THC on its own. Others may use diuretics or special kits, as we'll discuss below, to flush out the kidneys.
Signs of a Marijuana Addiction
How do you know when you need addiction treatment in addition to a simple detox?
Like any other drug, marijuana can cause cravings and other side effects. You may notice more of these symptoms of addiction if you grow dependent on weed.
Physical signs of an addiction to marijuana may include the following:
- Breathing problems
- Faster heart rate
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Extreme dizziness
Over time, these symptoms can worsen. Some people may also experience chronic respiratory issues, as marijuana overuse is linked to lung damage and other severe health problems.
Psychological signs of an addiction to marijuana may include the following:
- Hallucinations
- Anxiety
- An altered sense of time
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Disordered thinking
- Severe mood swings
Some people may also experience suicidal ideation or psychosis, though these side effects are much rarer.
Marijuana Detox Options
When you're ready to begin your detox, you might do some online searching and realize that there are multiple options to try. However, we recommend natural detoxes over all other options.
Abstaining from Weed
The easiest DIY weed addiction treatment is simple in theory, if not in practice: stop using pot. This is the most straightforward and natural way to get cannabinoids out of your system.
Whether you choose to stop cold turkey or taper your usage, we recommend starting with a plan using our tips below.
Liquid Detoxes
For a faster detox, some liquid cleanses and detox kits claim that they'll remove THC from your system faster than you could on your own. While these aren't geared toward helping relieve your addiction, the goal is to remove cannabinoids from your body in the short term. Often, these kits are marketed to people who need to pass a drug test fast.
However, it's worth noting that there is little federal regulation on THC detox kits. This means that you're on your own when it comes to finding a safe and effective option.
The bottom line is that these kits and cleanses tend to be based on myths. No fluid will magically flush out all of your THC overnight, no matter the claims on the label.
You should also be wary of popular liquid cleanses that promise a faster detox. Common options include drinking large quantities of cranberry juice, vinegar, or niacin, the last of which has been proven ineffective for detox purposes.
Preparing For Your Marijuana Detox
While you can begin a marijuana detox without a plan, having strategies in place can help you stick to your guns. There are a few things you'll want to consider as you begin at-home addiction treatment:
Approach
Some people prefer to go cold turkey when quitting marijuana. This option can make your withdrawal symptoms stronger, but it also jump-starts your timeline and helps you get rid of your addiction faster.
Tapering your use, on the other hand, is a way of easing into your treatment with less intense withdrawal symptoms. However, you'll also stretch out your addiction treatment process.
Environment
Before you begin, get rid of any marijuana-related items in your home to remove common triggers. This includes bongs, vapes, pipes, and bowls.
When it comes to other triggers, you'll want to be strategic about things that make you more likely to use marijuana. This may require you to avoid certain settings or to let certain friends or family members know you won't be using marijuana with them.
Mental Health
Addiction treatment can be tough on your mental health. It helps to find healthy distractions from your treatment that can also stabilize your mental health, such as yoga, meditation, practicing a hobby, or going for a walk in nature.
In addition, a huge part of your mental health is the people you surround yourself with during your detox. Make sure to share your goal with people you trust, and ask them to check in with you about your emotional and physical needs.
During Your Marijuana Detox
As you begin your detox and start to experience withdrawal symptoms, it's important to focus on a few key things.
Foods and Drinks
Some people experience a decrease in appetite during a detox. Try to make sure you're eating on a regular schedule, and stick to a healthy diet.
Foods that are high in sugar, fat, and sodium can increase water retention and slow down your metabolism, keeping those unwanted cannabinoids in place. Instead, opt for foods that boost your metabolism, including healthy proteins.
It's also important to make sure you're drinking enough fluids. Natural diuretics such as cleansing teas can also help. However, you may want to avoid coffee and other caffeinated beverages, which can increase the anxiety that often takes place during withdrawals.
Medication
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects during withdrawals, as are flu-like muscle aches. Make sure to take anti-nausea medication and over-the-counter painkillers as needed.
Exercise
Exercise can be a great way to distract yourself when you're trying to overcome an addiction. Even better, exercising can help your body purge any leftover THC in your fat cells. This is true of both cardio and strength training.
Withdrawal Symptoms to Expect
When you begin your treatment, you'll notice that withdrawal symptoms can make it harder to quit. Knowing what to expect won't make those symptoms disappear, but they can help you brace yourself for what's coming.
In most cases, you can expect your symptoms to start slowly on the first day, worsening within 48 to 72 hours. The symptoms will be different for everyone, but here are some of the most common symptoms:
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Nervousness
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Mood swings
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Difficulty sleeping
As we've mentioned above, having both a good support system and a plan in place can help you manage the worst of these symptoms.
In general, your withdrawal symptoms should start to improve over the next two weeks, with most people experiencing few or no symptoms by the third week. However, some people's addiction symptoms can last longer.
It's also important to know that getting rid of the physical symptoms won't always make psychological cravings disappear. Even though you'll have moved past your withdrawals, you'll still have to make a conscious choice to abstain from weed in the future.
Risks of an At-Home Detox
Unlike at-home treatments for other drugs, there are few risks associated with an at-home marijuana detox. However, there are still some issues you should be aware of.
The process can be uncomfortable, and the withdrawal symptoms can be frustrating and difficult to deal with. People who experience stomach-related issues like nausea and vomiting will need to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, as dehydration can sometimes lead to further medical complications.
In addition, some people experience increased anxiety, depression, and even panic attacks or psychosis in rarer cases. This may require treatment from a medical professional.
For most people, the biggest risk by far is a relapse. This can be a major problem when trying to address any addiction on your own.
At-Home vs. Professional Treatment
If you're reading this blog as you weigh several treatment options, it's worth remembering that you don't have to go through any of this on your own.
While some people can get through a DIY marijuana detox at home, others feel more comfortable with expert drug treatment. For those people, there's no shame in seeking professional addiction therapy. This option offers supplemental help that can make or break your attempt at quitting.
First, keep in mind that you'll always get a personalized treatment plan at a recovery center. After an evaluation, addiction specialists will offer clinical counseling tailored to your needs as well as other evidence-based therapies.
You'll also have access to non-judgmental support groups and peer counseling. These helpful support systems allow you to build relationships with people who are also going through what you're experiencing.
For people whose withdrawal symptoms include increased anxiety, professional treatment can help as well. With counseling and prescription anti-anxiety medication, you'll feel much more comfortable during your detox.
In addition, the support and treatment of underlying conditions will be a huge focal point of any recovery program. Trauma, depression, and other mental health conditions can make it harder to avoid a relapse, which is why simultaneous treatment can be crucial.
All of this treatment always happens in a comfortable and controlled setting. Depending on the facility, you'll also be able to choose from multiple levels of care that work with your preferences and needs.
Marijuana addiction treatment also tends to focus on education. The goal is always to make sure you have the tools you need to avoid a relapse. From providing coping skills to helping you set up better routines, you'll be equipped to make the changes you need to cement your recovery.
Last, but certainly not least, you'll receive long-term support from a professional team. Relapse prevention and aftercare planning can help you retain the tools you need for sobriety for years to come.
Trust Embark Recovery With Your Detox
Marijuana detoxing can be tough on your own. When you have a serious addiction, it can be hard to know where to begin, and your withdrawal symptoms can be hard to manage. Worse, relapsing is more common than you might think.
That's where our team at Embark Recovery can help. We've been assisting people throughout the Prescott area with successful addiction recovery since 2013. To learn how our evidence-based treatment plans can help, call us at (928) 250-0447.