In the entire process that leads a person to an addiction, there are many stages along the way. The detox or quitting phase—giving up the drug or addictive behaviour—is, without a doubt, one of the most difficult. It is at this stage that withdrawal syndrome appears, along with the symptoms that result from it. Even so, it is possible to overcome an addiction, and many people have achieved it thanks to treatment at a detox centre. In today’s article, we will look at how to quit cannabis, one of the most widely used drugs, especially among young people.
Withdrawal syndrome when quitting cannabis
Stopping use affects each person differently, depending on various factors such as the marijuana used, the amount, the user’s age, or metabolism. People who smoked for very long periods usually experience more severe side effects than those who did not use as heavily or who used for less time. The symptoms of cannabis withdrawal syndrome are both physical and psychological. The most common include:
- Headache
- Excessive sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Feelings of sadness or depression
- Decreased appetite
Depression and insomnia are the most characteristic symptoms of marijuana withdrawal syndrome, along with nightmares and irritability. As for physical symptoms, headaches are usually common and can last for weeks. Excessive sweating is a symptom that shows how the body tries to naturally eliminate the toxins that this drug introduces into the body.
Tips for quitting marijuana smoking
Quitting joints is not easy once a person has become used to using them. However, there are a number of essential tips to start the path to recovery:
- To begin with, it is important to bear in mind that marijuana addiction cannot be stopped abruptly. It must be done gradually by progressively reducing use.
- Do not replace one addiction with another. For example, some people start drinking alcohol excessively to replace cannabis addiction.
- Be aware that you will experience moments of anxiety due to withdrawal syndrome. For that reason, it is advisable to have other activities, for example sports, that help keep you occupied and thus avoid falling into the temptation to smoke again.
- It is very important to distance yourself from the people and situations that constantly encouraged use. In addition to staying away from those contacts, you should also avoid nightclubs and places where the addiction in question is promoted.
- Finally, it is necessary to understand that joints are not a soft drug. Many people believe that smoking marijuana is just another way to have fun without major complications. The reality is that it is a drug that creates a strong addiction and negatively affects the user’s health and life.
Benefits of quitting cannabis
Although the process of giving up an addiction is not easy, especially at the beginning, the benefits that come over time substantially improve the addict’s condition. The most important benefits of stopping marijuana use are:
- Mental faculties are restored. Cannabis affects cognitive abilities such as memory and concentration in the long term. As a result, information retention is impaired. When you stop smoking marijuana, the brain begins to regenerate these functions.
- A greater sense of energy. After several hours of abstinence, the person will feel full of energy again. In this sense, the body will be better prepared to cope with day-to-day life and any type of activity that requires a minimum of physical exercise.
- Rest improves. Quitting joints allows the brain to have a higher level of oxygen. This means rest improves and neuronal activity increases, with calmer sleep.
- Improved social relationships. One of the most common consequences of addiction is the loss of social relationships and the destruction of trust. By quitting cannabis, the person will feel more able to rebuild friendships, family relationships, and other lost bonds.
- Freedom from dependence. Another benefit of quitting cannabis is the feeling of freedom that comes with ending dependence. The pressure to have to use at all times will have disappeared. Having more mental energy will allow the person to feel more satisfied, have higher self-esteem, and generate more positive thoughts geared towards a new, healthier lifestyle.
- Increased savings. Like all addictions, marijuana can also lead to a significant loss of money if the substance is abused. Obviously, when use is stopped, savings will grow again since money will no longer be spent on buying the drug.
- Improved health. Addiction to joints has a series of very harmful effects on the body. Fortunately, stopping use will progressively lead to an improvement in the addict’s health, as they see their body recover normally.
- Greater emotional stability. Other negative symptoms of joint use are psychological and include depression, anxiety, paranoia, or sudden mood swings with a tendency towards negativity. Quitting the addiction will help these mental symptoms disappear, so the person will feel fully in control of their faculties.
CCAdicciones is an addiction treatment centre where we have the best professionals to help you if you are addicted to any drug or have any other addiction. Get in touch with us if you think you need help to regain control of your life.
