What Are the Long-Term Effects of Cannabis Addiction?

With more and more states legalizing recreational cannabis use, the feeling that cannabis is totally safe has been growing. Unfortunately, this minimization of the negative effects of cannabis use is leaving many people vulnerable to cannabis addiction. Cannabis addiction can be very serious. It can be both devastating and destructive, leaving the individual and their friends and family in a lot of pain. The good news is there are many means, methods, and modalities that can help one recover fully from cannabis addiction.

Better Understanding Addiction

Addiction affects millions of people all over the world. This is true both of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and substance use disorder (SUD). According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “In 2022, 48.7 million people aged 12 or older (or 17.3%) had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year, including 29.5 million who had an alcohol use disorder (AUD), 27.2 million who had a drug use disorder (DUD), and 8.0 million people who had both an AUD and a DUD.”

There are many reasons for the mass addiction problem in the U.S. and around the world. A major one is that alcohol is both legal and promoted as both “cool” and harmless. Two is that there remains an opioid epidemic in the U.S. This is only becoming worse with the introduction of synthetic opioids like fentanyl on the market.

Also, as previously mentioned, due to the rise of the legalization of cannabis and THC-related products, cannabis addiction is significantly on the rise. This trend is only rising as more states legalize cannabis and the discussion for federal legalization grows stronger. 

Better Understanding Cannabis Addiction

Many people are under the misconception that cannabis is not addictive. This is a fallacy. Yes, the verdict is still out on its physical addiction capabilities, but regarding psychological addiction, this is very real.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Approximately 3 in 10 people who use cannabis have cannabis use disorder. It is estimated that people who use cannabis have about a 10% likelihood of becoming addicted.” Also, “The risk of developing cannabis use disorder is greater in people who start using cannabis during youth or adolescence and who use cannabis more frequently.” Cannabis also causes many serious issues.

According to the peer-reviewed thesis Cannabis Use Disorder, by Doctors Patel and Marwaha, “Cannabis is a plant of the Cannabaceae family that contains multiple biologically active compounds…. Cannabis use can cause intoxication, withdrawal, and biopsychosocial issues. A range of disorders are associated, including psychosis, sleep disorders, withdrawal, and a scale of intoxication that leads to the diagnosis of a substance use disorder.” Cannabis can also cause many other symptoms. The key is to know what to look out for.

The Signs and Symptoms of Cannabis Addiction

The signs and symptoms of cannabis addiction can be hard to spot because they tend not to be as visually extreme as other addictions. Also, of course, cannabis addiction signs and symptoms are going to vary based on the individual. However, there are some more universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few:

• Isolating away from family and close friends
• Gaining a new friend group that also uses cannabis
• Losing interest in activities and hobbies once enjoyed
• Experiencing physical problems such as trouble with breathing (from smoking cannabis) and gastrointestinal problems
• Trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
• Feeling paranoid
• Having feelings of anxiety and depression
• Exhibiting excessive mood swings
• Engaging in risky behaviors
• Committing harm to oneself or others
• Cannabis-induced psychosis
• Having suicidal ideations

As one can see the signs and symptoms of cannabis addiction are not minimal. This is why if any, many, or all of these symptoms are present it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. 

Recovering From Cannabis Addiction at the Cellular Level

Healing at the cellular level is all about healing the entirety of the capital “S” “Self.” This means physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing. This is what holistic healing (meaning “whole”) is all about.

Healing at the cellular level also takes a lot of work. Unfortunately, there are many recovery centers that do not offer recovery programs that enable this work to happen.

The Multi-Angled Approach: What Does Individualized and Comprehensive Addiction Care Look Like?

Recovery at the cellular level must happen with a multi-angled approach. This means that recovery should utilize as many modalities as possible. It also means that recovery plans should also be individualized and comprehensive.

The reality is that recovery and treatment has become a multi-billion dollar industry. Unfortunately, this means that there are now a lot of predatory actors out there who are more concerned about their bottom line than their client’s well-being.

These are the same recovery centers that only offer overarching “cookie-cutter” recovery plans that don’t take the individual into account. Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we know that this type of recovery rarely works. This is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive. They also always have a focus on the future and long-term recovery. This often starts with a safe and secure detox.

Detoxing From Cannabis

Many people feel that detoxing from cannabis is unnecessary, and for some individuals, this may be true. The fact of the matter is that this should be determined by professionals on an individualized basis.

Ultimately, a safe and secure detox is going to ensure that the individual gets all of the hydration and nutrient replenishment necessary for healing at the cellular level. Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we do this via pharmaceutical-grade supplements and vitamins and, for some, infusion therapy.

A safe and secure detox is also important because it can seamlessly connect an individual to the next stages of their recovery. These are the stages that are going to get to the underlying issues of one’s cannabis addiction.

Getting to the Underlying Issues of Cannabis Addiction

Many people don’t realize that addiction is about a lot more than the drink or the drug. It is about those underlying emotions that lead to the use of the drink or the drug. This is why in many 12-Step programs people can be heard saying, “It’s about the thinking way more than it is about the drinking.”

Getting to the underlying issues is about addressing the root/core causes of one’s addiction. Many times this lies in unaddressed trauma and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). The good news is there are many modalities that can address these underlying issues, many of which we offer here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab.

Various Means, Methods, and Modalities for Recovery From Cannabis Addiction

As previously mentioned, it is important to avoid “one-note” recovery plans. A recovery plan should utilize all of the tools available in the industry. This includes Western and Eastern medicine.

There should be evidence-based modalities like psychotherapies including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Also, there should be experiential therapies like nature immersion therapy and surf therapy. One must not skip over holistic healing methods either. These are methods like yoga therapy and mindfulness meditation.

Recovery From Cannabis Addiction With Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

CBT can be particularly beneficial because it gets to the underlying issues that were previously mentioned. It does this by helping the individual to see the negative way in which they have been viewing themselves and the world around them. Once this happens then one can begin to adjust their negative cognitions (thoughts), emotions (feelings), and behaviors (actions). This is especially helpful during “triggering” times in sobriety.

CBT is also particularly effective because it makes the individual an “active participant” in their own recovery. According to the peer-reviewed journal Cognitive Therapy and Research, “Consistent with the medical model of psychiatry, the overall goal of treatment is symptom reduction, improvement in functioning, and remission of the disorder. In order to achieve this goal, the patient becomes an active participant in a collaborative problem-solving process to test and challenge the validity of maladaptive cognitions and to modify maladaptive behavioral patterns…. Although these strategies greatly emphasize cognitive factors, physiological, emotional, and behavioral components are also recognized for the role that they play in the maintenance of the disorder.” Trauma-informed therapy is also highly effective at treating cannabis addiction.

Recovery From Cannabis Addiction With Trauma-Informed Therapy

As previously mentioned, millions of people struggle with trauma every day. This includes people who try and self-medicate for that trauma with cannabis use.

Trauma-informed therapy can be a highly effective tool at helping an individual get past the negative effects of that trauma, while also recovering from their cannabis addiction. According to the peer-reviewed thesis Trauma-Informed Therapy, by Doctors Yadav, McNamara, and Gunturu, “Trauma-informed care established a new standard for organizing public mental health and human services, which operates on the assumption that every individual seeking services may be a trauma survivor. This approach empowers individuals to set their own goals and manage their progress. As consumers advocated for patient rights, humane treatment, and involvement in treatment planning, federal agencies such as SAMHSA became instrumental in developing trauma-informed guidelines, policies, and care while coordinating research.”

Trauma-informed therapy is also highly effective because it integrates so well with other modalities. One of these modalities is nutrition therapy.

Recovery From Cannabis Addiction With Nutrition Therapy

Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we have a maxim: “Food is medicine.” This is why we have such a focus on nutrition and ensure that all of our clients have all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that they need to heal at the cellular level.

We also understand that nutrition is as much about what food stays out of our diet as what food goes in. According to the Journal of Nurse Practitioners (JPN), “Nutritional Therapy uses food to prevent and reverse diseases that plague most western societies: diabetes, obesity, heart disease, arthritis, and depression. In order for food to be therapeutic, it must be nutrient-dense, measured in part by the nutrients and anti-nutrients, contained in consumed foods. Nutrients are plant and animal sources providing macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants, probiotics), and fiber.” Additionally, “Anti-Nutrients are food products that have no biological necessity.”

However, we don’t just focus on the nutrition in food. We also focus on the deliciousness and satiation of our food. This is why, along with our licensed dieticians and nutritionists, we also have world-class chefs preparing all of our meals. These meals are catered to the individual and use local and organic ingredients. Our nutrition program is a pleasure rather than a chore. We also offer an amazing array of experiential therapies.

Surf Therapy: Recovery From Cannabis Addiction With Nature-Based Therapies

Just as The Hamakua Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii is known for its amazing food, it is also known for its amazing surfing. A mere 15-minute journey from our 30-acre luxury property sits one of the best surf breaks in the world. Here one can experience the joy of surfing, while also getting all of the benefits of surf therapy. 

Surf therapy offers a myriad of benefits. According to the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Psychology, “It is well-established that regular physical activity can enhance mood and alleviate mental health issues. Aerobic exercises such as jogging, swimming, cycling, walking, surfing, and dancing have all been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve mood, and lessen cognitive decline. Similarly, a systematic review and meta-analysis utilizing longitudinal and cross-sectional studies found significant relationships between exercise and lower levels of mental health symptoms and greater psychological well-being for youth; there appears a causal association between exercise and cognitive functioning and a partial causal association between exercise and depression for this cohort.”

There are also many other types of experiential therapies that can be beneficial for recovery from cannabis addiction. This includes nature-based therapies like nature immersion therapy and horticulture therapy. It also includes creative-based experiential therapies like art therapy and dance therapy. These types of therapies also sync up very well with holistic healing methods like yoga therapy and mindfulness meditation.

Recovery From Cannabis Addiction With Holistic Healing Methods

The iconic yogi and spiritual leader B.K.S. Iyengar famously said, “Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind, and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.” This is the basis of what healing with holistic methods is all about.

There are many ways to heal holistically. Perhaps the most common two are yoga and meditation. These options offer many benefits such as increased flexibility, improved cognitive functions, and better emotional stability.

There are also many other types of holistic healing methods that can be highly beneficial. This includes massage therapy. Aromatherapy, acupuncture, and reiki. The key is to find the right combination of modalities that work for the individual and stick with it. This will not only ensure healing in the moment but it can also reduce the risk of relapse, which is very common among cannabis users.

Recovery at the Cellular Level With Exclusive Hawaii Rehab

Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” We also believe in putting the client above all else. As the father of Western medicine Hippocrates famously said, “It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has.”

Cannabis addiction can try and take everything away. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Recovery is out there. The key is to go out there and get it.

Many people feel that cannabis is harmless. This is simply not the case. Cannabis can be addictive and destructive. It is important to understand that cannabis addiction, if untreated, can cause serious negative long-term side effects and consequences. The good news is there are many means, methods, and modalities that can help one recover from cannabis addiction. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to do this alone. For more information about recovering from cannabis addiction, please reach out to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab today at (808) 775-0200.