Already the most commonly used drug in the US, marijuana, also known as cannabis, conjures a myriad of images in popular culture, ranging from flower children holding hands to couch potatoes watching television all night. Whatever its truth is for the individual, it is here to stay, and each person needs to understand how marijuana affects their brain and body. As cannabis becomes more widely available for both medicinal and recreational use, more people will likely be turning to it as a way to numb their pain or use it to amplify joy. But as with any other substance, use can quickly turn into physical and psychological dependence. If you’re wondering whether or not cannabis may be negatively interfering with you living your best life or with a loved one’s flourishing, it may be time to pause and consider if a marijuana addiction treatment program might be the right fit.
At True Life Center, our team provides a marijuana addiction treatment program in San Diego, CA, for people who are ready to make positive changes in their lives. Our holistic approach to addiction treatment emphasizes therapy options so that people can heal from the underlying causes of addiction. If you or someone you care about might benefit from a cannabis addiction treatment program, reach out to our True Life Center team today by filling out our online form or calling 858.202.1822.
Cannabis at a Glance
Containing over five hundred distinct compounds and over one hundred cannabinoids, cannabis mimics a chemical that the human body naturally produces. It affects vital processes related to:
- Homeostasis
Sleep - Appetite
- Pain
- Memory
- Stress
- Metabolism
- Immune response
- Reproduction
Cannabis also leads to decreased reactivity of the dopamine neurons that modulate your body’s reward system, which leads to a heightened response to other drugs, lower motivation, higher likelihood of engaging in addictive behaviors, as well as lower positive and higher negative emotionality scores. From this small list alone, it’s easy to see how a cannabis drug addiction treatment program might be the right intervention to help improve quality of life and fulfillment, as cannabis can disrupt a lot of physiological processes and detach one from their emotional experience.
Positive and Adverse Effects of Cannabis Use
Although we’ve seen a fair amount of mixed messaging around cannabis, it has exhibited some positive medicinal benefits for people with glaucoma, chronic pain, inflammatory processes, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. It also helps reduce nausea and increase appetite, enhancing the quality of life for people undergoing chemotherapy or experiencing complications of HIV. But if the effects were only positive, people would not need to seek a cannabis treatment program or similar intervention to help end their dependency on it.
Studies over the last few decades have shown that cannabis, which contains THC and acts as both a stimulant and a depressant, impairs both short-term memory and judgment, distorts the perception of time and space, causes cognitive delays, hampers coordination, and makes learning more difficult. This, in turn, could lead to dangerous driving or trouble performing to your utmost potential at school or work. In some cases, cannabis triggers paranoia and psychosis and may lead to an earlier onset of mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia, especially in those predisposed to it.
Cannabis use in individuals with maturing brain systems, from adolescence to age twenty-one, often leads them to suffer from impaired neural connectivity. The cannabinoid system plays a crucial role in forming the brain’s synapses. Cannabis, over time, can evolve from a pleasurable pastime to a daily addiction. The right cannabis treatment program can help identify what leads you or your loved one to seek the initial therapeutic benefits of cannabis and how to replace this substance with practices that cultivate sustainable long-term health and well-being.
Finding the Right Cannabis Addiction Treatment Program
True Life Center has a co-occurring IOP and PHP, which is a cannabis addiction treatment program that helps you identify the root cause of self-medicating and teaches you how to develop healthier and more sustainable skills and practices of emotional regulation. We offer a unique neurobiological integration, an integrated and collaborative approach that aims to identify the root etiology of illness. Neurobiological integration gets results by using the synergistic combination of:
- Individual psychotherapy with DBT, CBT, and a psychodynamic approach
- Specialized psychiatric treatment
- Acupuncture
- Mindfulness and self-compassion practices
- Yoga Therapy
- Body healing with Qi Gong
Overcome Cannabis Addiction at True Life Center
At True Life Center, our team is committed to helping individuals find and express their authentic selves. When suffering is deep and enduring, understanding the path forward brings comfort and hope. We aim to provide a comprehensive map for long-term recovery and optimal health in our treatment for cannabis addiction. We listen carefully to you and your loved ones to understand and co-collaborate in creating your True Life Recovery Plan. Give us a call at 858.202.1822 or fill out our online contact form to learn more about our marijuana addiction treatment center.
