Humphrey Lesalon

Marijuana Addiction Treatment in India According to Statistics released by the United Nations, over 158.8 million people use marijuana globally - circa 3.8% of the world’s population. Marijuana remains an illegal drug in India under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. However, a 2019 survey by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment found that about 2.83% of India’s population (or 31 million people) aged between 10 - 75 years are currently using marijuana products. Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/OvxmOVYu75g Another study by Statista shows that about 7.25 million Indians are dependent on marijuana, with Uttar Pradesh leading the numbers at 2.8 million weed dependents. These numbers are alarming since cannabis use poses a serious threat to the mental and physical health of the user. Marijuana goes by several names, with the most commonly used slangs being ganja, pot, weed, herb, Mary Jane, bud, and cannabis. Marijuana Addiction and Dependence Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), often termed as cannabis addiction, is the continued use of marijuana despite clinically significant impairments. Prolonged marijuana use can cause both pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic changes. The former relates to how the substance interacts with the target body cells, while the latter alludes to how the drug is absorbed, metabolised, and excreted. These changes often result in high tolerance, where the body requires higher doses to achieve the desired effect. At this stage, the user’s metabolic systems are well reinforced to efficiently eliminate the drug and the brain’s cannabinoid receptors are down-regulated. Weed users show minimal reactivity to dopamine, which can dampen the brain’s reward system, encourage negative emotions, and worsen addiction severity. Seeking Professional Addiction Treatment Study shows that marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit substance among individuals seeking addiction treatment. Demand for cannabis addiction treatment has been on the rise in India. Treatment options for weed addiction and dependence fall into the categories of intervention, psychotherapeutic or psychological therapies, environmental approaches, and pharmacological intervention or peer support. The medical community is yet to come up with medications for cannabis dependence, but psychotherapeutic approaches have proven effective. However, it is important to note that the environment or setting that you choose for your recovery journey will determine the effectiveness of the treatment program. Marijuana addiction treatment is best offered in a safe residential rehab setting, where the patient is removed from the everyday environment. Marijuana Detox and Withdrawal Like most addictive substances, prolonged use of cannabis increases the risk of withdrawal symptoms when quitting. While cannabis withdrawal symptoms are not as lethal as those associated with hard drugs like heroin, they can still get really uncomfortable. Marijuana withdrawal symptoms include: ● ● ● ● Anxiety Restlessness Headaches Depression ● ● ● ● Irritability Agitation Stomach Pains Fatigue ● ● ● Insomnia Appetite & Weight Loss Nausea Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/KQfxVDHGCUg The severity of withdrawal symptoms will also vary from one user to another. Those with mild dependencies can easily quit on their own, but chronic users will often need medical help and attention to kick the habit. If you have been struggling to quit weed, medical detox is the answer. Medically supervised detoxification is especially recommended for individuals diagnosed with cooccurring disorders and other mental health conditions. Medical detox programs are designed to help you gradually ease off the drug until your body is completely cleared of it. The slow ease-off helps minimise the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. Once detoxification is complete, a professional medical team will walk you through the necessary treatment for your condition. Most people prefer continuing recovery at the rehab facility to improve their chances of maintaining a sober lifestyle without relapsing. Inpatient Rehabilitation for Marijuana Addiction Inpatient rehabilitation is the most popular and effective approach to marijuana addiction treatment. During residential care, you or your loved one is expected to camp at the facility - full-time. This setting offers a supportive and drug-free environment needed for treatment and recovery. Finding a residential rehab centre with a full continuum of professional care is vital for complete recovery. At Alpha Healing Centre, our highly trained and qualified medical professionals will design a personalised treatment program that addresses your unique recovery needs. During the different treatment programs, the patient undergoes a variety of therapeutic practices, including group and art therapy. Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/k3QuwsnSbkk Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapy program that trains the patient to identify, comprehend, and change dysfunctional habits. Through this program, the individual suffering from cannabis use disorder learns all the skills required to improve their quality of life. CBT is essentially a highly structured treatment plan that helps you identify addiction triggers, manage cravings, and identify high-risk situations. The training offered aims to identify and mitigate current problems rather than past challenges. During this process, you will learn relaxation, communication techniques, and social skills as you are expected to actively participate in every step of therapy. Contingency Management Therapy Contingency management is a form of behavioural therapy that takes advantage of motivational incentives and rewards to help patients achieve their abstinence goals. To encourage long-term sobriety and positive behaviour that support healthy living, patients receive rewards whenever they achieve positive goals and make lifestyle changes during recovery. We are naturally wired to pursue behaviours and activities that create some sense of reward. The reward then reinforces the desired behaviours, encouraging the individual to repeat them in future. Marijuana stimulates pleasure and reward centres of the brain by upregulating dopamine production. The high dopamine levels are responsible for causing the euphoria, rush, high, buzz or any other pleasurable feeling associated with the substance. During contingency management therapy, the goal is to trigger the brain’s reward centres using healthy natural rewards. Through positive incentives, the patient is taught to appreciate drug-free rewards. These rewards will not only encourage sobriety, but they will also improve your self-confidence, a much-needed change to fight low morale caused by substance addiction. Individual, Group and Family Counseling Cannabis addiction and dependence affect the patient and those close to them. Group and family therapy programs are important because the patient is more likely to feel challenged and supported by peers and family members. On the other hand, individual therapy is ideal when one is suffering from bipolar disorders, depression, or any other co-occurring mental health disorder that requires a standalone treatment program. Marijuana Rehab for Teens Adolescents face unique challenges when battling drug addiction because their physiology is still underdeveloped. If your adolescent child is struggling with cannabis addiction, you will need to liaise with the right rehab facility that offers treatment programs addressing the unique challenges. Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/ECt01A5HZtw Residential treatment is the best option for teenagers battling chronic marijuana addiction disorder. Why You Should Choose Residential Treatment Residential or inpatient treatment is the best option for cannabis treatment, especially when the patient is suffering from chronic addiction. This treatment program offers a friendly and drug-free environment that’s safe and conducive for recovery. Since you are removed from the everyday environment and routines that could have triggered old habits, you can focus on recovery and learn new coping skills in a residential rehab facility. In addition, inpatient treatment comes with several benefits. Benefits of Residential Treatment at Alpha Healing Center There are many advantages to seeking inpatient marijuana addiction treatment at AHC. Below are the chief benefits: Recovery-Friendly Environment Inpatient treatment at Alpha Healing Center offers the clients a safe space from regular places and people, hence creating a recovery-friendly environment. Busy Recovery Schedule Our clients are kept occupied throughout the day participating in counselling and therapy programs. This way, they are distracted from weed cravings. Professional 24/7 Care Another advantage of our residential marijuana addiction treatment program is that all our clients have access to professional medical care around the clock. Our highlyqualified staff is available to help you through challenges that you might face during treatment. Marijuana Addiction Treatment FAQs Here are some of the frequently asked questions about cannabis addiction treatment: What are the Available Forms of Treatment for Marijuana Addiction? Cannabis addiction can be treated using either outpatient or inpatient programs, but the latter is the ideal solution for those battling chronic addiction. What Are the Long-Term Effects of Marijuana Addiction? Marijuana users suffer both short-term and long-term effects. The most prevalent longterm effects include rapid heartbeat, poor coordination, distorted perceptions or paranoia, poor problem-solving abilities, and loss of interest in work, school, and hobbies. What’s The Cost of Residential Care? Inpatient care is more expensive than outpatient treatment. However, it is important to know that cost should not be a determining factor for the best rehab for cannabis addiction treatment for your needs. Instead, look at the qualification of the staff and efficiency of the facility. Alpha Healing Center offers impeccable marijuana addiction treatment programs at affordable rates. How Long Does Treatment Take? Different patients have different needs when it comes to cannabis addiction treatment. As such, the duration of your treatment will depend on the nature of your needs. However, it is recommended that you stay for at least 28 days at the rehab facility for effective treatment and complete recovery. The recommended minimum duration for those with severe chronic addiction is 90 days. Get Started Today If you or your loved one is battling marijuana addiction, you have come to the right place. Alpha Healing Center is a state-of-the-art residential de-addiction recovery centre located in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. We offer advanced treatment and holistic healing programs in a serene and recovery-friendly setting. The admission process at AHC is pretty straightforward. Contact us today to start your recovery journey. Sources https://www.statista.com/statistics/-/india-number-problem-users-cannabis-bystate/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC-/#:~:text=In%20conclusion%2C %20several%20Indian%20studies,schizophrenia%20and%20other%20psychotic%20disord ers. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral https://www.researchgate.net/publication/-_A_review_of_contingency_man agement_for_the_treatment_of_substance_use_disorders_Adaptation_for_underserved _populations_use_of_experimental_technologies_and_personalized_optimization_strate gies https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-/