How Long Does It Take to Detox from Marijuana?
Read on to find out long marijuana detox takes, what it entails, along with what the effects of detoxing are.
What is Weed?
Marijuana – or “weed” – is one of the most commonly used substances in the United States. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that in 2019, over twenty-two million people twelve or older used marijuana every thirty days.1
Marijuana is a mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, and flower buds from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. This substance goes by many names, including; pot, grass, and weed. More potent forms of marijuana include:
- Sinsemilla (from specially grown female hemp plants).
- Hashish (the resinous form of the cannabis plant).
- Hash oil (a sticky black liquid).
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Is Weed Addictive?
Marijuana can be addictive. Reports show that about 30% of people who use this substance develop substance use disorder. The risk of addiction increases with marijuana use during adolescence and increases with daily use.2
What Are the Effects of Marijuana?
Marijuana is mainly controlled under federal law, but many states permit medical use, and others have been slowly legalizing recreational use as well. Weed can be smoked, used to brew tea, and can be added to foods. When smoked or vaporized, marijuana is fast-acting because it is readily absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs. As a result, it takes longer for marijuana to elicit an effect when eaten or brewed, but the effects last longer than when inhaled or smoked.3
Marijuana use can produce feelings of euphoria, which can be described as a feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness.
How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Your System?
The amount of time marijuana stays in a person’s system depends on how often it is smoked or ingested, the amount taken, and the tolerance level of the individual. For the most part, however, marijuana can remain in hair follicles for up to ninety days, and in urine for up to a month. Saliva only stays detectable for around three days, and for blood it’s even shorter, staying for three to four hours.4
The best way to know how long marijuana has been in a person’s system is through a drug test. These tests measure the presence of THC metabolites, which are substances that result from the breakdown of THC by the body. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is one of the significant cannabinoid components found in the cannabis plant.5
Medical Evaluation
If you or a loved one think you have a problem, it may be time to look for help at a treatment center. A medical evaluation allows a professional to assess the severity of symptoms and determine the best course of treatment.
Detoxification
Marijuana detox is the process of removing marijuana and all related metabolites from the body. This can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and is often a major cause of substance use relapse. In some cases, certain medications can help reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms and make it easier for individuals to complete treatment and detox from marijuana.6
Treatment
Once detoxification from marijuana has been completed, treatment for marijuana substance abuse and addiction can begin. Treatment includes individual and group counseling to help identify and cope with causes that may lead to substance use, along with medication if the patient needs it.
Relapse Prevention
As part of a treatment program, it is essential to learn how to identify situations that could lead to substance use to avoid instances that could make you or a loved one want to use again. This stage is critical immediately after treatment has been completed to prevent patient relapse in the real world.
How Do Marijuana Drug Tests Work?
A marijuana drug test analyzes a biological specimen: urine, blood, hair, sweat, or saliva. This determines the presence or absence of the active ingredients of marijuana (mainly THC) or its metabolites, known as breakdown products. The most common form of a marijuana drug test is a urine sample test.
How To Pass a Marijuana Drug Test
Some employers require that all applicants take a pre-employment drug test as part of the application process. Other employers might only require testing if they suspect that an employee is under the influence while on the job. It’s also possible to be randomly selected for a drug test while working at most companies.
Accelerating the Removal of THC
There are several ways to accelerate the removal of THC and its metabolites from the system in the case that you need to pass a drug test from your employer. These include:
- Temporary marijuana detox products for heavy users
- Abstinence for light users
- Exercising
- Drinking lots of water
- Using diuretics like cranberry juice to detox marijuana
Marijuana Detox and Withdrawal: What to Expect
Marijuana detox can be tricky and, if not handled properly, may lead to eventual substance use relapse. However, explicit knowledge of what to expect from a marijuana detox session can help make the entire process much more manageable.
Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms during the detoxification process may include irritability, anger, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Post-acute marijuana withdrawal syndrome (PMWS) is a recognized condition that affects regular users who stop using cannabis. It can cause severe insomnia, vivid dreams, irritability, anxiety, and intensified drug cravings.
Management & Prevention
Marijuana withdrawal can be difficult, but the symptoms are typically mild compared to those associated with withdrawal during the detoxification process of most substance use disorders. However, this does not mean that marijuana withdrawal symptoms are a pleasant experience.
Heavy or consistent marijuana use may lead to the development of substance use dependence. When marijuana use is discontinued, it is common to experience discomfort as the body adjusts and functions without the influence of the substance. This may lead to a relapse in an attempt to get rid of withdrawal symptoms. If a person relapses, it is essential to avoid discouragement or negative thoughts.
Unfortunately, there are no medications approved explicitly for marijuana detox. However, if you are looking for how to get weed out of your system, various strategies may help alleviate uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and increase the chances of successful substance use disorder treatment. These could include getting more rest, drinking more water, eating a balanced diet, exercising when possible, finding ways to distract yourself, and spending time with friends and family.
Do Detox Remedies Work?
Detox remedies are highly effective, and there are many ways to safely detox from marijuana. In addition, there are various types of detoxification processes. Experts recommend at least ten days for an effective detoxification process. Always ensure that an expert initiates and guides any detox from marijuana to ensure it is successful.
Risks of Detoxing on Your Own
For individuals looking for how to detox from weed, the significant risk during this time is relapsing. This can be better managed by getting detox help from a treatment center, or by making sure you have a support system around you as you start the process.
There is also the risk of other complications when trying to detox from marijuana, such as dehydration or respiratory distress if marijuana intake has been being used with other substances for a prolonged period of time. The chances of a successful risk-free detox from marijuana session can be increased by going through a marijuana detox in an accredited treatment center under medical supervision.
Marijuana Detox Treatment & Medications
At Concise Recovery, our inpatient and outpatient treatment programs are tailored to assist individuals in overcoming substance use disorder and addiction. Our experts are highly experienced in initiating marijuana detoxification and treatment.
Our detox centers are designed to help and manage substance use withdrawal. The goal of marijuana detox treatment is to minimize withdrawal symptoms and decrease the risk of complications and potential substance relapse. In addition, we provide alcohol or drug-free housing, medical care, and dietary management.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Center
Our rehabilitation facilities provide many long-term benefits that can help people overcome addiction. Inpatient rehab programs generally last for thirty to ninety days, though they can go on for longer in some cases.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are rehab programs that allow patients to receive treatment while living at home. IOPs offer some flexibility for people who wish to continue working or going to school while undergoing treatment. They’re also an option for individuals who don’t have the financial resources or insurance coverage necessary for inpatient rehab programs.
Therapies for Addiction
We offer many types of therapy that may be used during this type of treatment, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), art therapy, music therapy, equine therapy, yoga, and meditation.
FAQs
- How long does weed stay in your system? The amount of time weed remains in a person’s system is determined by how much weed is taken and often it is taken.
- Can marijuana detox cause diarrhea? Yes, it can. Stomach upset is one of the most common symptoms of marijuana withdrawal when a patient detoxes from marijuana.
- What happens when you detox from THC? THC withdrawal symptoms begin to manifest one to three days after marijuana use cessation. Effects will include physical and psychological symptoms.
Resources
- https://store.samhsa.gov/product/key-substance-use-and-mental-health-indicators-in-the-united-states-results-from-the-2019-national-survey-on-Drug-Use-and-Health/PEP20-07-01-001
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037576/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5010515/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-long-does-a-weed-high-last
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324315#marijuana-detection-windows
- https://www.healthline.com/health/marijuana-detox-what-you-should-know#detoxes