Marijuana Rehab and Treatment in Dallas
An overview of marijuana recovery options in Dallas
Marijuana (dope, weed, cannabis, grass, Mary Jane, reefer, pot, etc.) is by far the most used recreational drug after alcohol. In Dallas and the rest of North Texas, it is also the most used and trafficked illicit drug.
Mainstream attitudes towards marijuana use have changed considerably over the years. Regardless, problematic or chronic marijuana use, also known as marijuana or cannabis use disorders, poses serious risks to individuals, particularly if they develop these disorders before adulthood.
While opioids are now the focus of health and law enforcement officials in North Texas, Dallas drug rehab centers are nevertheless still receiving thousands of individuals with cannabis use disorders every year. Contrary to a growing perception that cannabis is a completely safe drug, there is still plenty of evidence to suggest that it can adversely affect brain development, particularly in adolescents.
Why is marijuana risky?
While it’s true that marijuana is comparatively less dangerous than other illicit drugs, it still has a high potential for triggering substance use disorders. This is particularly true when discussing the consumption of modern cannabis strains, which are more readily available than the less-potent natural strains from past decades.
Marijuana strains being grown today are far more potent than ones available in the 1960 and 1970s when the legalization movement gained prominence. Thanks to selective breeding and new intake methods, marijuana today typically contains much higher levels of psychoactive compounds such as THC than is typical of heritage strains available during the start of cannabis prohibition. This exponential increase in dosage makes cannabis today far more likely to trigger a substance use disorder and create unintended negative effects on the brain.
Substance use disorders are serious psychiatric conditions, even when related to cannabis. Even if cannabis may not be as immediately risky to one’s physical health as opioids or alcohol, it can still interfere with a person’s judgment as well as their motivation. Having a full-blown compulsion to consume cannabis can make it difficult to focus on relationships as well as important personal and professional goals.
If you or someone you love has problems with their marijuana use, finding Dallas drug treatment centers that specialize in cannabis use disorders is just a phone call away. Call (214) 935-2287 to talk to someone who can help you find the right marijuana recovery facilities in Dallas today.
What are the negative effects of using marijuana?
The effects of marijuana use vary depending upon the dose, the user, and the method of consumption. Many people experience a feeling of euphoria. A sense of relaxation is also common. On the other hand, these feelings are sometimes replaced by those of anxiety, fear, and paranoia. Extremely large doses have even been shown to bring about hallucinations and delusions.
Marijuana can also impair one’s ability to drive or operate heavy machinery, which can put the user as well as others around them at risk. It’s against the law to drive under the influence of marijuana in Texas, with penalties being broadly similar to those of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Perhaps the most serious effect of regular cannabis consumption is its link to stunted brain development in children and adolescents. Researchers from the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas have recently published a study that strongly correlates the starting age of marijuana use with negative long-term effects on the brain. There is also strong evidence to suggest that the regular consumption of cannabis before the brain becomes fully mature can lead to psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia.
Marijuana use disorder treatment options in Dallas
Fortunately, marijuana is easier for most people to quit compared to most other widely-misused drugs. Withdrawal management or detox is not as uncomfortable for marijuana compared to other drugs. Unlike other popular drugs such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids, there is no risk of serious harm or death from an improperly managed withdrawal.
Counseling and cognitive-behavioral therapy are just some of the commonly-employed strategies rehab centers use to treat marijuana use disorders. In Dallas, individualized and alternative treatments are also readily available at many local rehab centers.
This isn’t to say withdrawal is a walk in the park. Marijuana withdrawal can still be very difficult for people with severe cannabis use disorders, particularly if they have been using it regularly for years. Thankfully, there are Dallas treatment centers with programs specifically designed to help individuals kick their marijuana habit.
Begin your recovery journey by calling Dallas Drug Treatment Centers at (214) 935-2287 today. We will help you find addiction treatment centers in Dallas that have the expertise and the experience to meet all your recovery needs. You can also visit your local Narcotics Anonymous (http://www.usrecovery.info/NA/Texas.html) to share your story and help other recovering individuals.