Dra. Emma Collins
Clinical Psychiatrist & Medical Detox Specialist
Therapy for marijuana addiction provides support for individuals who find it difficult to stop using the drug on their own. While some may view marijuana as harmless, regular use can interfere with daily life, relationships, and mental health conditions.
Through therapy, you’ll be able to gain strategies to manage craving, understand triggers, and develop healthier coping skills. In this blog post, let’s explore how therapy works in treating marijuana addiction.
Therapy for Marijuana Addiction
Therapy for marijuana addiction uses evidence-based approaches to help you change unhelpful patterns, explore underlying causes, and build practical skills that support long-term recovery.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you identify thought patterns and behaviors that keep you using marijuana. Through guided sessions, you learn how certain beliefs or habits contribute to your substance use. CBT teaches practical strategies to manage craving, cope with stress, and respond differently to triggers.
In a single blind, randomized controlled trial of 65 patients (first-episode psychosis patients with cannabis use disorder), participants who received a specific CBT program for cannabis cessation reported a significantly greater reduction in cannabis use severity compared to treatment as usual. These results suggest that a targeted CBT intervention can support sustained reduction in cannabis use and improve clinical functioning in individuals with cannabis use disorder.
Motivation Enhancement Therapy
Motivation Enhancement Therapy (MET) focuses on helping you strengthen your internal drive to change. Instead of imposing goals, it supports you in exploring your reasons for seeking help. This approach encourages open conversation, which allows you to resolve ambivalence and commit to recovery in a way that feels meaningful to you.
Contingency Management
Contingency Management uses a reward-based system to reinforce positive behaviors, such as staying sober or attending therapy. You receive incentives for meeting specific goals, which helps motivate progress and keep you engaged in the treatment program. This method is helpful when motivation is low or inconsistent.
Group Therapy
Group therapy offers a space where you can connect with others facing similar challenges. These sessions focus on shared experiences, support, and learning practical coping skills. Group settings also help reduce isolation and provide encouragement, which can strengthen your ability to stay committed to your treatment plan.
How Effective is Marijuana Addiction Treatment?
Treatment for marijuana addiction is effective when it combines behavioral therapies, consistent support, and follow-up care. Many people benefit from structured treatment programs that address not just the substance use disorder but also co-occurring mental health conditions.
Outcomes improve when therapies are matched to your needs and when you remain engaged throughout the process. With time and the right approach, you can reduce your marijuana use, avoid relapse, and regain control of your day-to-day life.
Finding Professional Support for Recovery
Professional help gives you access to tools and guidance that are difficult to manage on your own. Clinicians can assess your situation, offer evidence-based therapies, and support you through challenges in the recovery process.
Working with a therapist or treatment team also helps you track progress, stay motivated, and respond effectively to setbacks. Support becomes a foundation you can rely on while working through the reasons behind your substance use.
Recognize Marijuana Addiction
Marijuana addiction can develop gradually and often goes unnoticed until it begins affecting your daily responsibilities, relationships, or emotional health.
What is Marijuana Addiction?
Marijuana addiction, also known as cannabis use disorder, happens when you continue using despite negative effects on your life. It involves both psychological dependence and behavioral patterns that are difficult to change.
You may find it hard to stop even when you want to, and attempts to quit may lead to craving or irritability. Eventually, regular drug use can interfere with work, school, and personal goals.
Signs and Symptoms of Marijuana Addiction
You may notice changes such as needing to use marijuana more frequently or in higher amounts to get the same effect. You might also find yourself spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from it.
Other signs include using it to manage stress or boredom, continuing despite problems it causes, or feeling anxious or irritable when not using. These patterns can gradually take priority over other activities and responsibilities.
Causes and Risk Factors
Several factors may contribute to marijuana addiction, including frequent recreational use starting at a young age, genetic predisposition, or underlying mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.
Environmental influences such as peer pressure, stress at home or work, and easy access to marijuana also increase your risk. When these factors combine, they can reinforce your reliance on marijuana as a way to cope, which makes it harder to stop without support.
Negative Effects of Marijuana Use
Long-term substance use can lead to a range of physical, psychological, and behavioral issues that may affect your daily functioning.
Physical Effects
Using marijuana regularly can impact your body in several ways. You might experience issues with coordination, slower reaction times, or persistent coughing and respiratory discomfort.
In some cases, marijuana use can affect your heart rate and blood pressure. It may also influence appetite and sleep, which lead to changes that disrupt your overall physical health over time.
Psychological and Behavioral Impact
The use of cannabis or marijuana can also interfere with how you think, feel, and behave. You may notice problems with concentration, short-term memory, or motivation. Some people experience increased anxiety, irritability, or paranoia, especially with high-potency strains.
These effects can affect decision-making, relationships, and academic or work performance. In the long run, behavioral patterns may change, with substance abuse becoming a central part of how you manage emotions or cope with stress.
Understanding Marijuana Withdrawal
When you stop using marijuana after regular use, withdrawal symptoms can develop as your body adjusts. You might experience irritability, sleep difficulties, reduced appetite, restlessness, or mood changes. These symptoms vary in intensity and usually begin within a few days of stopping.
Although withdrawal is rarely dangerous, it can be uncomfortable enough to interfere with daily life. Understanding what to expect during this period can help you prepare and stay committed to recovery.
Choosing the Right Rehab and Treatment Options for You
Selecting a rehab program that fits your needs begins with understanding the types of care available. You might benefit from outpatient therapy, inpatient rehab, or a combination of services, depending on your symptoms, history, and daily responsibilities.
It’s important to consider whether the treatment program offers therapies that align with your goals and whether it includes aftercare to help maintain progress. Remember that making an informed choice increases your chance of a stable and lasting recovery.
Get Help and Achieve Sobriety at Twilight Recovery
Getting support for marijuana use disorder can be difficult to face, but you don’t have to face it without care. At Twilight Recovery, we offer evidence-based treatment and space to recover with guidance that’s grounded in experience.
We ensure that each step is supported by our team, who understand what this process takes. Let us walk with you toward lasting change through a personalized treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Common Signs that Someone Might Need Therapy for Marijuana Addiction?
Some of the common signs may include difficulty cutting back, strong craving, using despite problems, and spending excessive time on marijuana-related activities. These patterns can disrupt daily life and emotional functioning.
Are there any Medications Available to Support Marijuana Addiction Recovery?
Presently, there are no FDA-approved medications specifically for marijuana or cannabis use disorder, but some may be used off-label to manage symptoms like anxiety, sleep disturbances, or irritability during withdrawal.
How Long Does Therapy for Marijuana Addiction Take to Show Results?
You may start noticing improvements in a few weeks. Ongoing therapy over several months helps strengthen coping skills and reduce marijuana use.
Can I Recover from Marijuana Addiction Without Going to Rehab?
Recovery without rehab is possible, especially with outpatient therapy and support. However, inpatient or structured care may be needed when symptoms are moderate to severe or previous attempts to quit were unsuccessful.
What Happens During a Marijuana Addiction Therapy Session?
Sessions involve identifying triggers, exploring thought patterns, and building coping skills. Therapists guide you through strategies to manage craving, prevent relapse, and improve daily functioning.
How Does Therapy Help With Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms?
Therapy provides tools to manage discomfort, such as irritability or sleep issues. It also supports emotional regulation and helps reduce the risk of returning to substance use during withdrawal.
