Weed Detox: Understanding Detox from THC & Withdrawal

Contrary to a persistent myth, you can become addicted to marijuana. And if you do, you may go through withdrawal when you decide to stop using it.

Contact Bright Future Recovery today to begin addiction treatment in Northern California.

Common Weed Withdrawal Symptoms

Note: In today’s post, we’ll be using the terms weed, marijuana, and cannabis interchangeably. 

If you’ve been using marijuana for an extended period, then abruptly stop, the sudden absence of THC (the drug’s primary psychoactive ingredient) can throw your system into temporary imbalance. Two common terms for this experience are cannabis withdrawal and weed detox.

Cannabis withdrawal isn’t as excruciating or dangerous as withdrawing from alcohol and opioids can be. But as your body attempts to reestablish internal equilibrium, you may experience several physical and psychological symptoms.

The mental health impact of weed detox can include:

• Cravings for cannabis
• Anxiety
• Irritability 
• Anger and aggression
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Vivid nightmares

From a physical standpoint, withdrawing from marijuana may cause:

• Headache
• Heavy perspiration
• Muscle tension
• Mild tremors or shakiness
• Fever and chills
• Upset stomach
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)

It’s unlikely that someone will have all of these symptoms as they go through cannabis detox. The types of symptoms a person has, and how severe these symptoms become, can vary depending on factors such as:

• Their age, gender, and metabolism
• If they have any co-occurring medical or mental health concerns
• How long they’ve been using weed
• The typical amount and frequency of their weed use
• If they’ve also been abusing or become addicted to other substances
• If they’ve gone through withdrawal before

Weed Detox Timeline

The onset and duration of a person’s symptoms can be affected by the same factors that we identified at the end of the previous section. So there’s no rigid weed detox timeline that applies to everyone who goes through it.

Generally speaking though, the process usually occurs like this: 

1. The first symptoms will typically begin to become noticeable within 24-48 hours after a person stops using cannabis. In the early stages of weed detox, people commonly experience irritability, appetite loss, and insomnia.
2. Symptoms may increase in number and severity over the next three to six days. In most cases, they will reach peak intensity by day six. 
3. After peaking, symptoms should slowly subside over the next week or two.

For most people, weed detox is over within about three weeks. But some people experience persistent symptoms that can last for months or even years. This phenomenon, which is known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), often involves symptoms such as continued cravings, low motivation, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

Ways to Manage Weed Detox Symptoms

There are several steps you can take to lessen the discomfort of cannabis withdrawal.

Self-care

Self-care won’t make detox symptoms disappear, but the following tips can help you make the experience less distressing and more manageable:

• Eat healthy food. If you don’t have much of an appetite, have smaller meals, but don’t go for extended periods without eating. Just like when you have a cold or the flu, your body still needs nutrients even if you’re not particularly hungry.
• Stay hydrated. This can be particularly important if you sweat excessively or develop flu-like symptoms. Prioritize water and sports drinks. Minimize your intake of alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
• Move your body. Regular exercise is essential for both physical health and mental well-being. Even going for a short walk can boost your mood, lessen your stress, and enhance your overall resilience.
• Practice self-soothing techniques like meditation, visualizations, affirmations, or focused breathing exercises. Other options for easing your mind include journaling, listening to music, and exercising.
• Don’t skimp on sleep. To offset insomnia, try to go to bed and get up at the same times every day. Shut off your electronics at least an hour before bedtime, and give yourself about a two-hour buffer zone between your last meal (or snack) and when your head hits the pillow.

Professional help

If your self-care efforts aren’t as effective as you’d hoped, the best option may be to seek professional help to get through weed detox.

A January 2022 study in the journal Addiction reported the following about clinical care for cannabis withdrawal:

• Weed detox rarely requires supervised/inpatient care, unless the individual has been abusing multiple substances, has a history of complicated withdrawal, or has a serious medical or mental health concern.
• No medications have been developed specifically for weed detox, but certain prescription drugs may help with symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, or nausea.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), education about the withdrawal process, and classes on stress/anger management, nutrition, and goal-setting can be beneficial.

Another benefit of professional help is accountability. When you’re trying to detox on your own, it may be more difficult to resist cravings and manage other withdrawal symptoms without falling back into bad old habits.

If you’re working with a therapist or counselor, there’s at least one other person who is invested in your success. In addition to benefitting from their insights and guidance, simply knowing that you have someone in your corner can make a world of difference during especially difficult moments.

What Happens After Weed Detox?

Getting through withdrawal can be a significant step toward a weed-free future. But if your efforts end when your symptoms subside, you may be at increased risk of relapse.

Depending on your specific circumstances, you may benefit from residential or outpatient treatment to help with areas such as:

• Identifying your triggers, which are scenarios that could push you back into active cannabis use.
• Developing strategies for avoiding these triggers or responding to them in a healthier manner, without resorting so substance use.
• Honing your stress management, conflict resolution, and self-soothing skills.
• Getting effective care for anxiety, depression, or other co-occurring mental health concerns
• Beginning to repair relationships that we damaged by your prior substance use
• Learning to maintain healthy boundaries and advocate for your own needs
• Sharing support with others who have been through similar experiences and who are also working to build healthier lives in recovery

Find Marijuana Addiction Treatment in Northern California

Bright Future Recovery offers a full continuum of personalized programming for adults in the San Franciso Bay area who have become dependent on marijuana and other addictive drugs. We also provide dual diagnosis services for those who have co-occurring mental health disorders.

Treatment options at our Northern California rehab include detox, residential treatment, a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and virtual treatment. 

To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.