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Cannabis (Marijuana) Withdrawal Symptoms

Cannabis (marijuana) withdrawal symptoms are common through detoxification. Work through them with medical support, accessible here at Addiction Advocates. Enquire Now
Cannabis (Marijuana) Withdrawal Symptoms
Alexander Lapa
Updated on 14/03/2023
Medically reviewed by
Dr Alexander Lapa (Psychiatrist)

Classified as an addictive drug, cannabis is one of many illicit substances which causes withdrawal symptoms once consumption has ended.

The cause of withdrawal symptoms is due to the body’s built tolerance to the drug. Once the usual tolerated amount has not been met, cravings and physical/psychological symptoms occur, known as withdrawal symptoms.

Cannabis (marijuana) withdrawal symptoms can surface throughout both the addiction cycle and during the detoxification process.

During the addiction cycle, withdrawal is a common feeling experienced when the effect of cannabis begins to wear off or more of the drug is not consumed.

Throughout the drug detox, withdrawal symptoms are experienced as your body adjusts to the lack of substance. This is a necessary step to take to lead you towards sobriety.

While experiencing some withdrawal symptoms are expected, they can be understandably challenging to manage, especially independently without help from medical professionals.

Through a medically assisted detox in rehab, cannabis (marijuana) withdrawal symptoms can be worked through comfortably to progress towards addiction recovery.

From expected withdrawal symptoms to the detoxification treatments that you can secure in a private rehab, with the management and support from medical professionals, you can go through the cannabis withdrawal safely and effectively.

Contact our team here at Addiction Advocates to find out more questions about the detox process and what to expect at private rehab.

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Causes of Cannabis (marijuana) Withdrawal Symptoms

As part of the cycle of cannabis addiction, withdrawal symptoms usually occur a few hours/day post-consumption. Withdrawals are caused by an unfulfilled drug intake that is usually consumed to the point of tolerance, which is caused by consistent consumption.

As the effects of marijuana begin to wear off, withdrawal symptoms are inevitable and are a symptom that usual quantities of cannabis, in the body are low.

This is also a sign that the brain requires psychological therapy as the mental side of addiction is also an important factor.

Experiencing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms is often what keeps people in the cycle of addiction, as the continuous use of cannabis followed by withdrawal symptoms makes it hard to quit.

Withdrawal symptoms also occur during detoxification. This is where cannabis levels will slowly reduce as people stop taking the drug cold turkey. Once the withdrawal symptoms start, working through them is a must to avoid refuelling an addiction.

Both causes of cannabis (marijuana) withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to work through, due to the addictive traits of the drug.

However, through detoxification, withdrawal can be worked through via a medically assisted cannabis detox, where withdrawal symptoms are the first steps of addiction recovery.

What to Expect During Cannabis Withdrawal?

If cannabis withdrawal is an intention through detoxification, it’s very important to know what to expect during the process. The detox process helps to remove toxins from the body, which means all traces of cannabis and its influential traits will be removed from the body.

Supportive treatments and replacement medications may also be suitably found throughout the detox process, to ease the shock that withdrawal will have, especially for people with a chronic addiction to cannabis.

Physical withdrawal will be experienced during a cannabis detox as the body slowly stabilises and adjusts without drug exposure. Withdrawing through a detox process will also help to reduce cravings, supporting the aims of cannabis addiction recovery.

Cannabis withdrawal will be a key milestone during your cannabis rehab programme. It is important to expect withdrawal symptoms throughout the process, on both physical and psychological levels.

Cannabis (marijuana) withdrawal symptoms commonly include:

Cannabis (marijuana) withdrawal symptoms commonly include:

Addiction Support

  • Feelings of anxiety
  • Irritability and restlessness
  • Difficulties sleeping
  • Low moods, reflecting depression
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • The shakes
  • Headaches/migraines
  • A reduced appetite
  • Cravings

For those who consume cannabis regularly, these symptoms are expected to display within the first few days post-consumption. They are also often experienced during the addiction cycle yet are suppressed through ongoing exposure.

Through detoxification, withdrawal symptoms are found to peak and then become tolerable as you commit to the process of sobriety.

Cannabis (marijuana) withdrawal symptoms can range in degree, length and how they display. Withdrawal symptoms are caused by the addictive traits of cannabis.

The Benefits of a Medically Assisted Detox

As cannabis (marijuana) withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to work through, there are many benefits of doing so through a medically assisted detox.

Available through private drug and alcohol rehab clinics, medical standards and structures are in place through detoxification to ensure that symptoms can be worked through comfortably.

The timespan and the intensity of withdrawal symptoms can be managed with medical backing, along with upholding wellbeing and comfort while detaching from cannabis.

Due to the unpredictability of withdrawal symptoms, support will also be accessible to work through physical and psychological symptoms, as both the body and brain work to digest and adjust to sobriety.

A medically assisted cannabis detox will also set the tone for further addiction recovery efforts, available through inpatient treatment. With medical support, personal recommendations can be made at withdrawal and additional treatment services.

Cannabis (marijuana) withdrawal symptoms are part and parcel of reducing, stopping, and detoxing from the substance. Doing so with professional backing will be the safest and most productive way to overcome withdrawal symptoms.

Overcoming Cannabis Addiction

Additional Cannabis Addiction Treatment Services

Additional treatment services will complement the detoxification process to fully withdraw from cannabis and motivate the management and prevention of future consumption.

Psychological treatments during rehab focus on psychological withdrawal and maintaining sobriety. A range of therapies is explored to help the mind recover from addiction.

Therapies include cognitive behavioural therapy, dual diagnosis treatment and relapse prevention. Addiction treatment services will help clients digest the impacts of cannabis exposure, while also addressing causes and preventive tools.

Aftercare is also recommended throughout the rehab process to ensure that individual triggers and changes caused by cannabis exposure can be worked through reliably after your treatment has ended.

Working through cannabis (marijuana) withdrawal symptoms can be eased with additional support. Call our team to go through the admissions process here at Addiction Advocates on 0800 012 6088. Access a drug rehab clinic and programme today.

Reach out for support

Withdrawal symptoms are a sign of detoxification and of the addictive nature of cannabis. To safely work through them, with intentions of cannabis addiction recovery, contact our team at Addiction Advocates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start recovery during my call?
Prior to your call, recovery will begin as you’ll be committing to addiction recovery. The call itself will set your intentions into stone, starting the admissions process.

When considering physical recovery, this will however begin on detoxification, influencing the surface of withdrawal symptoms as a starting sign of recovery. You will however need to work through your call and admission to reach such service, all marking the start of your recovery.
What questions should I ask a cannabis (marijuana) helpline?
Questions around rehabilitation, around your experience with withdrawal symptoms, around your relationship with cannabis and also around your future options will all be wise. Increasing awareness around your current experiences with marijuana along with how to change them will be worthwhile through a helpline.
How do I build confidence to call a cannabis (marijuana) helpline?
Confidence is something that can take some time to develop. Yet by taking small steps, and by understanding that your call will be confidential, will be supportive and will be empowering, confidence levels can slowly build up.

It’s also fine if you are lacking confidence, as support will assist with this, to help you have faith in your ability to recover.
Can I call on behalf of someone else?
You can contact a helpline on behalf of someone else, through a referral service. Being aware of this process and how patience will be important will be beneficial, as referrals can take some time to accept.
Seth Bolton

Seth is an author, addiction recovery expert and fully accredited member of the national counselling society. He has experience working with a wide range of addictions and mental illnesses using a number of evidence-based therapies and programmes such as the SMART models of addiction recovery.

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