Category: Sober living

My body was changing, mentally and physically, and I felt very strange. Soon I started looking forward to getting to meetings and sharing my feelings, as well as listening to others. I began to feel more comfortable and soon started talking to people after the meetings. Everyone was very supportive and I knew they really cared about me and my sobriety. I was even nominated back then for the refreshment commitment, which I gladly accepted.

How to recognize cannabis addiction

• Uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms can prevent people who are dependent on or addicted to cannabis from remaining abstinent.
• More specifically, motivational interviewing, contingency management, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be used.
• Women tend to experience worse symptoms than men, such as more nausea and stomach pain.
• Treatment for CUD and addiction is similar to treatment for other substance use disorders.

Someone who is addicted to marijuana will prioritize their drug use over other aspects of their life. They will likely cut back on activities that previously brought them joy or withdraw from them altogether. I continue to make recovery the most important focus of my life. I go to meetings, have commitments, do lots of reading in the Big Book, use the phone regularly, and have a sponsor. I am hopeful about my future today regardless of many uncertainties.

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Understanding the risk factors, such as genetics and environmental influences, is crucial in addressing marijuana addiction. Furthermore, the co-occurrence of mental health disorders with cannabis use disorder is common, underscoring the need for integrated treatment approaches. Recognizing the signs of marijuana addiction is crucial for seeking help. These signs include increased tolerance to cannabis, withdrawal symptoms when not using, and continued use despite knowing the harms.

• The third cause for you addiction to weed is because you don’t know how to feel good naturally.
• The only way to discern whether these conditions are signs of CB1 downregulation or symptoms of disease is to abstain for up to six weeks.
• It’s cultural belief system that we have inherited which dictates that change only occurs over time, it can’t occur in an instant.
• Marijuana smoke has a pungent and distinctive sweet-and-sour odor.

How to stop smoking cannabis (weed)

The first cause of your addiction to weed is because you think you could quit through willpower. Yes, there are an exception to the rule but physiologically speaking, it’s almost impossible unless you link MASSIVE pain to not changing. If you’d like to start the treatment process, learn more about rehab, or verify your insurance, call our free, confidential helpline at to speak with a caring American Addiction Centers admissions navigator. You can find a rehab near you using our online directories tool. You can also easily verify your insurance online to check your health insurance coverage for treatment.

The Effects of Marijuana Abuse

Even though you may not be able to prevent marijuana abuse and addiction, there are things you can do to reduce the risk. These chemicals can cross the placenta and affect the fetus. Many studies have been done on the effects of marijuana abuse during pregnancy, and results is marijuana addictive are conflicting, possibly because of other substances used and/or abused during pregnancy, including tobacco. While many people use marijuana (it’s the third most commonly used addictive drug, after tobacco and alcohol) most won’t become addicted. About 1 in 10 people who use marijuana will become addicted; when they start using before the age of 18, the number increases to 1 in 6. Child and adolescent psychiatrist Sarah Y. Vinson says some adolescents use marijuana because it’s the only “medicine” they can access.

What is a Cannabis Use Disorder?

• Approximately 9% of people who use marijuana become addicted to it.
• This can include missing work or school, getting in trouble with the law or school authorities, or putting oneself in dangerous situations.
• I tell them that I need to hear from people who smoked pot like I did.
• The negative effects of use appear to be more of an issue for those who use more often and over a longer period of time.

Treatment methods include psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. More specifically, motivational interviewing, contingency management, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be used. Medications to control cravings may be used alongside nonmedicinal interventions. One of the biggest risk factors of marijuana addiction may be age. People are up to seven times as likely to experience marijuana use disorder when they start using before the age of 18.

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The negative consequences of prolonged substance abuse are significant, but the benefits of quitting marijuana are equally profound. These benefits highlight the importance of seeking help and making informed decisions about marijuana use. The United States is confronting a public health crisis of substance use disorders and overdose deaths. We need to refocus and reenergize prevention and educational initiatives and support psychiatric treatment alternatives for youth. Addiction often begins with use in the teenage years, and 90% of all adults with substance use disorders began using alcohol, nicotine, or marijuana before age 18.

These health issues can have a lasting impact on an individual’s quality of life and may require intensive medical intervention to address. It’s important to note that these signs may vary depending on the specific drug being abused and the individual’s reaction to it, and it’s always critical to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. If you are struggling with prescription drug abuse or even alcohol abuse, it is important to seek professional prescription drug abuse help and detox safely.

• Furthermore, prescription medication abuse can also cause social problems, such as strained relationships and job loss.
• Every treatment plan is designed to focus on your individual needs and is updated daily to ensure that as your condition evolves, so does your treatment.
• Reliable Care, Delivered Free to Your DoorAt CareRX Pharmacy, we prioritize your health and convenience.

Signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse

Camille actively involves families in the recovery process, ensuring they are updated on their loved one’s progress and providing them with the tools to support their Sober living house journeys. Kaylyn currently supervises our Conduct and Life Intervention Counseling department. Throughout their program, clients work with Kaylyn directly one-on-one in removing toxic people from their lives and rebuilding trust with loved ones.

Social Struggles

• And 5.76% of Americans over the age of 12 currently abuse prescription drugs 1.
• With early identification of prescription drug abuse and early intervention, treatment professionals may be able to prevent this type of behavior from turning into an addiction.
• Modern prescription drugs have made incredible forays in restoring both physiological and psychological health, and as such, allopathy is a big boon for mankind.

If you suspect someone you know may be abusing prescription drugs, it is essential to approach the situation with compassion and encourage them to seek professional help. Remember, early intervention can make a significant difference in someone’s recovery. When someone struggles with prescription drug abuse, treatment is comprehensive and often includes a combination of interventions — medical, psychological, and behavioral. The goal of substance abuse and addiction treatment is to help people overcome their dependence and manage their withdrawal symptoms, address underlying contributing issues, and create a foundation for long-term recovery. This type of behavior can include taking another person’s prescription medication or crushing and injecting pills as a means to get high. Individuals who are addicted to prescription medications will continue to abuse these drugs even if they’re causing a number of negative consequences.

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Oftentimes, when you are struggling with prescription drug abuse, it’s common to turn to more illicit and illegal drugs when your ability to obtain your drug of choice ends. For example, if you are seeking opiates but cannot get what you want, it is common to turn to drug dealers who have the opiate you are looking for in pressed pills. These pressed pills may also contain fentanyl, which has high overdose and death rates and is more commonly found in illegal substances. There are a number of physical, psychological, and behavioral signs and symptoms that can indicate an addiction to prescription drugs.

Christina Kuzio has been a Registered Nurse for 40 years – the majority of those years working in a large South San Francisco Bay Emergency Room. For the past 17 years, Christina has been managing the Health and Wellness Department at EAS in Watsonville, CA. Christina has volunteered for many years with Flying Doctors, a humanitarian group that provides health services to underdeveloped areas in Mexico and Central America. She also gives her time to Tara Home, an end of life/hospice care home at Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel, Ca.

• The prescription drugs most often misused include opioid painkillers, anti-anxiety medicines, sedatives and stimulants.
• Legal consequences can range from fines and probation to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense.
• This makes it crucial to be able to recognize the signs of prescription drug abuse.
• At Compassion Behavioral Health, we understand the courage it takes to reach out for support.
• Over time, the brain will stop producing its own endorphins, creating a dependence on opioids to create pleasure feelings.

Stimulants create a mental perception of invincibility and in high doses, similar effects to cocaine abuse. Stimulants like dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine and Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta) constantly interact with the Central Nervous System’s core neurotransmitters, making them temporarily more powerful. Prescription drug abuse can manifest in various behavioral signs that are important to recognize. In addition to the physical effects, understanding the behavioral cues can help in identifying and addressing the issue effectively.

Willingness doesn’t mean we feel ready; it means we’re committed to doing what’s right, even when it feels uncomfortable. Working Step 5 effectively means sharing your moral inventory with someone who understands the process. I’ll never forget sharing my Step 5 on the rims of Billings, Montana, in my sponsor’s 1983 mailman Jeep.

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The Big Book also outlines the Twelve AA principles, which are single words encompassing the virtues needed to pass each step. Each step centers around a phrase, many of them invoking the ideas of God or a “higher power” who guides the recovering addict in various facets of their journey into sobriety. Both Wilson and Smith found that The Oxford Group’s treatment of sin as a “disease” resonated in discussions of their struggles with alcohol. Founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Robert Smith, Alcoholics Anonymous has grown to include worldwide chapters, each devoted to helping people end their dependence on alcohol. Wilson, who was struggling with alcoholism, originally sought out help from a Christian organization, The Oxford Group.

What Are the Pros and Cons of the 12 Steps of AA?

It’s in this stage that we take our first honest look at the damage addiction has caused to our lives and our inability to stop because of it. We begin to consider the possibility of a new way of life—one where we are no longer running the show. Your email address is kept safe and confidential, never shared with anyone, and your subscription can be canceled or modified at any time. Taking action to apologize and make things right with those we’ve harmed, while being alcoholics anonymous mindful not to cause further harm, is crucial for closure. The continued awareness this demands makes it easy to pair the step with its accompanying principle.

Critiques and challenges of the approach

Admitting powerlessness in Step One is about recognizing that you cannot control your addiction on your own and that you need help. This step is crucial for recovery, as it acknowledges the impact of addiction on your life and opens the door to seeking support and making positive changes. The length of time it takes to complete the 12 steps of a recovery program can vary greatly depending on the individual and their circumstances. Some people may be able to work through the steps relatively quickly, while others may take months or even years to complete the process. It’s important to remember that recovery is a lifelong journey; the 12 steps are simply drug addiction treatment one part of that journey. You’ve worked your way through the entire process of growing and setting yourself up for success in sobriety, and now you have the opportunity to guide less experienced members through their own journey.

• The Big Book teaches that defects of character are the root causes of our addiction, and this step is about preparing to let them go, even when they feel familiar or comfortable.
• While this may be true, in the sense that the Twelve Steps represent an approach to living that is totally new for most alcoholics, many A.A.
• This proven path works because it addresses the core of addiction—self-centered fear, dishonesty, and resentment—by focusing on personal accountability, spiritual growth, and helping others.
• By following these steps, individuals can address the root causes of their addiction, develop healthier behaviors, and build a foundation for long-term recovery.

Step 9: “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.”

• Step 7 asks us to approach God with the willingness to have our shortcomings removed, even if we aren’t fully sure how it will happen.
• The steps work best when followed thoroughly and honestly, as they are laid out in the Big Book.
• Humility, as described in the Big Book, is not about shame or self-deprecation—it’s about recognizing our need for help beyond our own strength.

I had never been that honest about my past, but the day after, I felt lighter, and the obsession to drink or used had lifted and has not returned in over seven years. Step 4 calls us to take an honest, fearless look at our past actions, thoughts, and patterns. It’s a fact-finding and fact-facing process where we uncover the exact nature of our wrongs without minimizing or justifying them. This step is about courage—examining where we’ve been, so we can begin the process of healing and transformation. It’s not about shame but truth, so we can clear the wreckage holding us back from freedom.

• This step fosters a deeper connection with your chosen higher power through practices like prayer or meditation.
• The key to AA’s success is the Twelve Steps – a structured program that helps individuals move from addiction to a meaningful life in recovery.
• The continued awareness this demands makes it easy to pair the step with its accompanying principle.
• You can help people who are affected by alcoholism by making a donation to the Cleveland District Office.
• If you’re looking for more support, contact American Addiction Centers (AAC).

How To Work the 2nd Step Effectively

When you’re humble, you’re cognizant of the fact that you’re not a major part of the bigger picture. Humility in daily practice means never seeing yourself as more important than you are. Here is a breakdown of the principles that match up with each step and how to practice them in a way that helps you create sustainable sobriety within the tenets of AA and NA.