The worst and darkest times are now behind you, and it might be around now that you are starting to see all the ways in which quitting marijuana use has already begun to alter your life for the better. Perhaps you’ve replaced some of your previous habits with health-promoting activities like exercise. Perhaps you’ve started to wake up feeling more positive or even gotten more accustomed to seeing things in a positive light.

Rediscover Life at Discover Health Group

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain and body that send messages between cells. This is how the body and brain communicate to allow a person to think, feel, act, and experience the environment. It’s a disease that involves not being able to stop using a substance even when continuing has negative consequences. When a person uses a substance regularly, the body becomes used to it and develops a tolerance. Once a tolerance is developed, the body does not respond the same way unless the amount consumed increases.

• More research needs to be done on potential treatments for marijuana abuse and how to increase support and accessibility for existing treatments.
• Cannabis refers to all products that come from the Cannabis sativa plant.
• Flu-like symptoms, such as chills or sweating, can also develop within a day or so of quitting cannabis.
• According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), medications can be crucial in managing withdrawal symptoms and preventing relapse.
• Recognizing the symptoms and knowing the road to recovery can make the process more manageable for those looking to reduce or eliminate their cannabis consumption.
• Some symptoms are mild and temporary, while others are dangerous and require medical intervention.

Weeks 3–4: Emotional Adjustment

There are currently no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of cannabis use disorder or for medically assisted withdrawal,69 but research cannabis withdrawal: definition, symptoms, treatment is ongoing. Drug withdrawal is the physical and psychological response that occurs when a person suddenly reduces or stops using a substance they have become dependent on. It happens because the body and brain have adapted to the presence of the drug, and when it is no longer available, the system struggles to function normally. This condition, known as withdrawal syndrome, causes a range of symptoms, from mild discomfort to severe complications, depending on the substance and duration of use. Common substances that cause withdrawal include opioids, alcohol, benzodiazepines, stimulants, and nicotine.

Medical cannabis use is different from recreational use

There are a lot of people, including us, who promise to be there each step of the way. The Cannabis sativa L plant also contains non-intoxicating cannabinoid compounds like cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis sativa L plants containing very small, non-intoxicating amounts of delta-9 THC, which are also called hemp, are mainly used for textile fiber and for their edible seed oils. Unless mentioned otherwise, the information on this webpage is only about cannabis products containing intoxicating amounts of delta-9 THC. Overcome addiction with our family support system, and regain control of your life! These programs, modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, offer a structured approach to recovery through peer support and accountability.

• With time, your body will readjust the amount of brain chemicals it can naturally produce back to its original baseline levels, and the withdrawal symptoms will go away.
• They will work with you to get properly evaluated and the appropriate treatment.
• Marijuana, often touted for its therapeutic properties, remains one of the most widely used psychoactive substances worldwide.
• Common examples include mood swings, anxiety, depression, irritability, agitation, restlessness and insomnia.
• Anger and aggression and depressed mood may occur as early as 1 week into cannabis withdrawal but typically peak after 2 weeks of abstinence 33, 34 (Figure 1).
• He has also written extensively about cannabis legalization in Canada, as well as the opioid crisis in the United States.

Stimulant withdrawal symptoms

Cannabis withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to deal with, but they don’t last forever.Be kind and patient with yourself as your body recovers. Treatment depends on the severity of the disorder and is highly individualized — you may need different types of treatment at different times. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), you must have at least two signs in the symptoms section for over 12 months to be diagnosed with cannabis use disorder.

Signs of cannabis withdrawal

Drug withdrawal feels like an overwhelming mix of physical discomfort and emotional instability. Individuals report flu-like symptoms, body aches, sweating, nausea, paired with intense anxiety, restlessness, and mood swings. Cravings for the substance feel all-consuming, similar to intense hunger or thirst, making it extremely difficult to focus or function normally. CBT focuses on helping individuals understand the connections between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This therapy teaches coping skills to manage triggers and high-risk situations, effectively reducing cravings and preventing relapse.

In the meantime, the brain and the body are hungry for these chemicals, and the result is withdrawal symptoms. Studies show that about 30% of marijuana users develop some level of cannabis use disorder, and many experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit. The marijuana withdrawal timeline can begin just 24 hours after your last use—and symptoms can last for weeks. Cannabis is commonly used with tobacco 70, and in treatment‐seeking cannabis users approximately two‐thirds also use tobacco 71. Tobacco withdrawal symptoms overlap with cannabis withdrawal and may have a similar intensity and time‐course 72, 73. Table 4 outlines the withdrawal features observed in this complex case and possible management.

It’s normal to experience low mood and cravings when you cut down or stop any drug. If you’re in recovery, you have a high chance of using substances again. Scientists are currently studying medication for the detoxification of cannabis.

This study will provide critical insights into risk and resilience factors for cannabis and other substance use to inform future prevention interventions. Withdrawal symptoms vary from drug to drug and can range from uncomfortable symptoms such as nausea, dilated pupils, and cravings to more life-threatening conditions such as rapid heart rate, respiratory issues, and seizures. More severe symptoms of withdrawal tend to present themselves after long-term use and in those who have abused harder drugs such as opioids.

Symptoms, including anxiety, seizures, and insomnia, can persist for weeks or even months. A slow tapering process under medical guidance is essential to reduce the risk of severe withdrawal effects. The good news is that marijuana withdrawal symptoms are not deadly, nor do they usually lead to any severe health complications as long as the patient is otherwise healthy. Due to this reason, medical supervision is merely there to ensure that patients are more comfortable while on the road to recovery. Management and TreatmentManagement of cannabis withdrawal includes supportive care and, in some cases, pharmacotherapy. Treatment options may involve cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and, when necessary, medications to address specific symptoms.

MAW largely treats its symptoms with agents known to reduce them, but many of these drugs have not been well studied in people with CUD and their off‐label use is of uncertain efficacy and safety. When you regularly use marijuana (THC), your body may build tolerance and dependence. Tolerance means that it takes larger doses of THC to experience its effects. Dependence happens when your body requires THC to avoid withdrawal symptoms. In an analysis of studies of more than 23,000 people, researchers found that 47% of people who used marijuana regularly experienced withdrawal symptoms.