Marijuana abuse and addiction problems need to be addressed through the proper treatment approaches to ensure the affected individual achieves recovery and regains their mental and physical health.
Different treatment options can be used during marijuana rehab depending on the severity of the person’s addiction, ranging from severe to mild. Aftercare, outpatient services, inpatient or residential care, and detox are all rehab treatment options that can be used to meet the patient’s needs to achieve sobriety and recovery.
Use of Psychotherapeutic Treatment During Marijuana Rehab
Psychotherapeutic treatments have been proven effective in marijuana rehab to address cannabis use disorder by reducing the individual’s quantity and frequency of use. According to studies involving clinical trials, combining contingency management (CM), motivational enhancement therapy (MET), and cognitive behavioral therapy can be particularly effective.
The CBT therapeutic approach concentrates on breaking the individual’s negative thought patterns and subsequent habits and behaviors and developing healthy relapse prevention strategies, prosocial behaviors, and healthy coping skills. Motivational enhancement therapy helps the person explore their uncertainty in a non-confrontational manner to boost their goal-setting collaboration and motivation toward recovery.
Contingency management works by reinforcing positive, healthy behaviors such as negative drug tests and attendance of counseling sessions by rewarding the individual with gift cards or vouchers. Combining these three treatment approaches has been proven to encourage extended periods of abstinence in people. However, although these psychotherapeutic treatments, such as behavioral treatment methods, have been shown to reduce the quantity and frequency of marijuana use, the abstinence rates also tend to drop after treatment.
On the other hand, this should not prevent people from getting marijuana rehab treatment because it helps them adopt and implement healthy and positive behavioral and emotional changes to identify and manage triggers and stressors to prevent relapse.
Behavioral therapy is used to deal with the psychological elements of drug addiction. The individual’s duration in behavioral therapy during marijuana rehab will vary with each person but can last approximately 12 weeks. This approach can help the person better understand their motivations and addictions while arming them against relapses and drug cravings.
Depending on the person’s extent of addiction, the possibility of poly-drug abuse, a dual diagnosis, or physical withdrawal symptoms, the rehab treatment can either be very intensive or somewhat painless. Even though most patients do not need to undergo an extensive treatment program, a dual diagnosis may require a more comprehensive rehabilitation plan.
Most people can manage their marijuana use problem through conventional outpatient approaches such as group therapy, increased physical activity, and counseling. Attending a marijuana rehab program, whether inpatient or outpatient, allows the patient to access various treatments, such as group and individual therapy.
Individual therapy sessions give the person a private space to process their challenges via treatment, address past problems that might have contributed to their addiction, and develop coping mechanisms to promote continued success after the treatment.
Group therapy is beneficial for battling feelings of isolation that most people with addiction experience. In a group setting, the individual can share their experiences and learn from others going through the same thing.
Inpatient Treatment
Some people opt for inpatient rehab treatment to achieve recovery from marijuana addiction and to receive around-the-clock support and care, which is beneficial for sobriety. Residential rehab typically goes for 28-90 days, but it is recommended to stay for longer to increase your chances of success.
Another advantage of inpatient treatment is you get to recover in a sober setting with constant medical care and supervision in case of anything. Thus, your body can detox from the drug in an environment without any triggers that could make you relapse.
During detox in an inpatient rehab program, you will also engage in other treatment approaches, such as recreational activities and therapy, allowing you to address the underlying cause of addiction and clear your mind.
These programs have structured routines that enable patients to concentrate on their recovery as they will only have to make fewer daily decisions. This option is ideal for people who live in an environment facilitating marijuana use at home because of the company they keep or any family members/loved ones using the drug.
Outpatient Treatment
The primary difference between inpatient and outpatient rehab is that you can go home after attending your daily sessions. However, it is best suited for people with less severe marijuana addiction and obligations to take care of at work or home. Outpatient rehab has varying levels of care, and each person’s individualized treatment plan will depend on their unique situation. Some people will attend treatment sessions for the whole day, while others will only participate for a few hours weekly. Since this rehab option is so flexible, it is preferred by many people. If, for example, someone works in the morning, they can attend treatment in the evening afterwards to keep up with their obligations.
Outpatient care uses the same treatment approaches as inpatient rehab, but there is less supervision. It is a good option if you live in a sober, supportive environment where you can adequately manage your cravings and triggers.
Support groups
Support groups are also very popular as a marijuana rehab treatment approach. Multiple related support groups can help individuals suffering from marijuana use problems if they want to kick their harmful habits.
Marijuana Anonymous (MA) is a support group specifically designed for people struggling with marijuana abuse. It is modeled after the Alcoholics Anonymous program, which is based on a 12-step program to help participants work through their addiction and achieve sobriety. The SMART recovery program is another type of support group that can benefit anyone looking for an option outside the conventional 12-step model.
Overall, an effective marijuana rehab treatment program is one that’s customized to suit the person’s unique recovery needs and addresses all aspects of the individual, not just their drug use.
