Treatment of Cannabis Use Disorder


Cannabis Can Be Addictive

Many cannabis users deny any addictive aspects of the drug, yet many do appear to become addicted. The term "cannabis use disorder" captures the possibility that people can be negatively impacted by their marijuana use, without necessarily being addicted. However, it also has room to recognize addiction when and if it happens.

Studies of cannabis withdrawal have shown that both lab studies of inpatients and studies of outpatients consistently showed a physical withdrawal syndrome pattern in cannabis users who were discontinuing the drug that paralleled that of other drugs which are well recognized to be addictive, such as cocaine and heroin. The withdrawal starts about 24 hours after stopping using cannabis, peaks after 2-4 days, and subsides after 1-3 weeks.


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Are You or a Loved One Dependent on Cannabis?


Cannabis use becomes a disorder or addiction when use of cannabinoids includes a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling its use, persisting in its use despite harmful consequences, a higher priority given to drug use than to other activities and obligations, increased tolerance, and sometimes a physical withdrawal state.

Cannabis has become normalized in recent years, and is now legal in a number of US states. But some people who use cannabis become dependent and have adverse consequences of their use, often causing themselves and their families significant distress.

Consequences of Cannabis Use Disorders


People often start using cannabis in social settings, or to self-medicate anxiety, pain or other symptoms. Cannabis is also used for medical reasons, although research on efficacy is limited by the government's long-standing limitations on research.

With continued use, people with a cannabis addiction manifest some combination of:

Psychological problems: Anxiety, insomnia, lack of insight, inappropriately elevated mood.
Cognitive problems: Impaired decision making and executive function, delusional beliefs and perceptual distortions.
Social problems: Impaired social, family, or occupational function, difficulty maintaining activities of daily living.
Physiological problems: Nausea and vomiting ("cannabis hyperemesis syndrome"), weight gain or loss.

Integrative Cannabis Addiction Treatment at Home


We offer a comprehensive and intensive outpatient treatment program, sometimes called "Stay at Home Rehab." The program is based on thorough medical care and pharmacology, and can include a combination of medical care, integrative and functional medicine treatment, individual and group psychotherapy, medical nutrition therapy, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and self tracking.

While there are few evidence based medication treatments for cannabis use disorders, we use medications, individual psychotherapy and group therapy to reduce symptoms, improve life skills and retrain brain function.

We can mobilize any necessary resources based on an individual’s unique needs after our comprehensive initial evaluation. We’re experts at keeping people independent and “outpatient” who may otherwise be facing going to a facility, inpatient rehab or other institutional setting.

Need more information about our Cannabis Addiction Treatment Program?


Our full range of treatment services are available during regular business hours. For urgent situations after hours or on weekends, please call us and page the doctor on call. Depending on the situation, a team may be able to be mobilized for urgent after hours situations, or we can help you take the appropriate next steps.

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