Marijuana abuse often flies under the radar because many states are legalizing it. In addition, it may have legitimate medical uses and does not kill people. However, marijuana is a drug and can lead to physical and mental health consequences, and about 9% of users will develop an addiction to it. Those risks increase among people who begin habitual use as teens. Marijuana research has established that while the brain is still developing, marijuana use can impede proper brain development. It can affect memory, IQ, information processing, and motivation. In short, marijuana is not the “harmless” natural substance that many people claim it to be. If you suspect your teen abuses this drug, a marijuana addiction treatment program may be an excellent option to help break the cycle of abuse.
Not all drug rehab centers offer marijuana treatment. If you are curious about what marijuana addiction treatment looks like, Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge (PAATC) can answer your questions. Our marijuana rehab program for teens over the age of 18 is evidence-based and faith-based, with therapies provided by skilled and compassionate professionals. Contact us today to learn more by calling 844.442.8673 or completing our simple online form.
Five Signs Your Teen Needs Marijuana Treatment
Although marijuana abuse does not cause overdose death as other drugs do, it is still capable of causing serious symptoms. Here are some signs that your teen may have a weed addiction.
Tolerance
The more marijuana someone uses, the greater their tolerance for it. This means that to get high, more of the drug must be consumed. Over time, the amount of marijuana being smoked, eaten, or vaped each day will continue to increase. Tolerance is one of the signs of dependence, which often leads to addiction.
Apathy
Chronic abusers of marijuana tend to become less interested in the things that once engaged and interested them. Some strains of marijuana may act as depressants that can mute curiosity and motivation and impede decision-making and goal setting.
Relationship Fallout
Someone who is abusing marijuana all the time stops putting energy into friendships and other important relationships. If your teen has lost interest in a romantic relationship, no longer sees friends unless it’s to get high together, or has withdrawn from family life, this could be a sign of marijuana abuse.
Withdrawal
Many don’t realize it, but people who abuse marijuana may go through withdrawal when they stop using. Most of these symptoms result from a psychological addiction, but there are physical signs as well.
- Irritability
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Sweating, chills, shakiness
Vicious Cycle of Use
If your teen just cannot stop smoking weed, despite the adverse outcomes of using the drug, you need to look into marijuana treatment. If your teen realizes schoolwork is not getting done, grades are slipping, their friends are fading into the woodwork, and they still can’t quit, that’s addiction.
Contact Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge
People who enroll in marijuana addiction programs are likely to have used daily for more than ten years and failed to quit at least six times. Coping with the dysfunction and stumbling blocks faced by these individuals is best done in a professional marijuana rehab setting.
The foundation for effective marijuana abuse treatment is therapy, and the goal of that therapy is to offer skills to avoid or manage triggers that could lead to relapse. Evidence-based therapeutic modalities can also help with problem-solving skills, sober lifestyle planning and management, and reframing the thought process and belief system around the drug’s use.
In PAATC’s marijuana treatment program in Rehrersberg, PA, your teen can practice drug refusal, create a list of achievable goals to inspire them after discharge, and interact in support groups and therapy with peers who are also beginning recovery from marijuana addiction. Let us help you and your family feel good about the future again. Reach out to us at any time for just the information and support you need to begin taking the next steps. Call 844.442.8673 or fill out our online form. We look forward to hearing from you.