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Marijuana is addictive, and your teen may suffer withdrawal symptoms if they attempt to stop using it. As such, it is highly recommended to seek assistance from adolescent marijuana treatment centers in Los Angeles rather than quitting abruptly at home.

These centers treat teens with withdrawal symptoms and know how to keep their patients from relapsing. However, before contacting a marijuana addiction treatment center, here are some facts about the withdrawal timeline that may help you understand your child’s situation better.

How to Spot Marijuana Withdrawal in Teens

When someone consumes marijuana frequently, their brain starts to build a tolerance to it. The more they use it, the more reliant they become. If they stop using it, their brain needs to adapt, and they will experience unpleasant sensations. These withdrawal symptoms can be so uncomfortable that some individuals opt to use marijuana again to seek relief. Symptoms of teen marijuana withdrawal may include:

• A decline in appetite that may or may not be linked to considerable weight loss.
• Mood swings.
• Frustration, anger, impatience, or aggression.
• Strong feelings of worry or anxiousness.
• Insomnia and other sleep disorders, leading to poor sleep quality.
• Headaches.
• The onset of depressive symptoms.
• Lack of focus or concentration.
• Marijuana cravings.
• Cold sweating.
• Chills, shakiness, or tremors.
• Stomach issues, abdominal pain, and vomiting.

The Withdrawal Timeline: How Long Does it Last?

It takes time and patience to fully detox from marijuana. According to Live Science, while marijuana’s early effects should go away after three hours, the cannabinoids remain in the system for a much longer period. Heavy marijuana users might need up to three months to fully cleanse their drug residue buildup.

Marijuana withdrawal is not believed to be life-threatening, but the discomfort and anxiety may result in poor judgment, risk-taking, and even suicidal thoughts. As a result, it is highly recommended — especially for chronic users — to stop using marijuana under the care and supervision of a substance addiction expert.

Prescription anti-anxiety medicines can be administered in a supervised clinical environment to reduce the discomfort of the marijuana withdrawal process. In most cases, the substance is excreted entirely within 30 days, with withdrawal lasting no more than three weeks, or possibly less.

• First Week

The first week marks the onset of withdrawal symptoms mentioned above. During this stage, your teen may experience frequent vomiting, extreme headaches, and loss of appetite, causing them to experience disruptions during their sleep.

• Second Week

The symptoms experienced before will worsen during this period. However, after the tenth day of quitting marijuana, your teen may experience that the withdrawal effects start to diminish. They may feel better during the last days of the second week. In some cases, the substance can no longer affect the behavioral and cognitive processes in the body.

• Third Week

During this stage, some teens may enter the treatment procedure itself, like individual or group therapies. However, if their substance use was severe, the withdrawal symptoms may last longer. Fortunately, the third week of withdrawal is not as harsh as the first two weeks. Your teen may experience a steady decline in the severity of symptoms. After this final week, your teen should be ready to enter a treatment program specifically tailored according to their needs.

What Can You Do About It?

Be aware that the chances of relapsing are significantly reduced after undergoing medical detox. A user should be under medical supervision during the withdrawal process to ensure that any issues or co-occurring disorders are appropriately handled. While some people experience marijuana withdrawal symptoms in an outpatient setting, those who are under constant monitoring have a higher probability of success. In Los Angeles, numerous marijuana treatment centers are available for teens that are proven to reduce withdrawal symptoms and contribute to the overall recovery from substance addiction.

Outpatient treatment is ideal for people with less severe cases of marijuana addiction, while inpatient treatment is best suited for chronic drug users. Outpatient programs are for those who need expert support but prefer to stay at home throughout therapy. Meanwhile, inpatient programs offer a higher level of care in a controlled and monitored setting, allowing individuals to concentrate exclusively on their rehabilitation. Whatever the case may be, talk to your child about going to a teen marijuana addiction treatment center so they can enjoy a wholesome, sober life.

If your child is struggling with marijuana addiction, be aware that professional assistance is always available. Calling a teen marijuana treatment center is a good starting point. In a treatment program, your teen is expected to participate in group sessions and individual counseling to address the root cause of their substance use.

Teen marijuana rehab in Los Angeles provides teens with the skills and advice they require to cope with substance issues. The main goal of this program is to motivate patients to proactively learn a wide range of abilities in a friendly, educational environment. You kid can recover from their marijuana addiction with this excellent, proven program, allowing them to be more efficient in their tasks while also protecting their general health from other drug hazards.

What to Expect Inside a Teen Marijuana Rehab

The primary objective of a treatment program is to stimulate personal growth for those seeking to recover from drug use. The medical professionals establish rules and regulations knowing that the patients will benefit immensely from them. Your job as a parent is to check whether the treatment facility can meet your child’s needs. Before agreeing to a contract with a treatment provider, consider asking them about the program’s scope and their definition of a successful treatment. This will help you understand if the program truly prioritizes your child’s recovery. Make sure to ask if they offer aftercare services where your child may proceed after completing treatment.

Drug treatment centers are built inside safe compounds and residences, so there is no need to worry about your child’s safety. Rehabilitation programs also assist people in maintaining their daily routines. Working and studying, for example, have their own set of timetables apart from the other responsibilities assigned to them. As a result, people may be offered more school and work possibilities after recovery.

Meanwhile, you can expect certain negative aspects from rehabs, such as the expenses for laboratory procedures. Your kid must be monitored and tested with different drug tests every day to ensure that they haven’t reverted to using marijuana. In addition, since most treatment facilities are not government-funded, they are operated privately and charge rent.

Note that most rehab centers do not allow visitors to encourage a patient’s independence while they recuperate. And while caring for pets can be comforting, animals are not permitted inside treatment centers to protect other residents who may be allergic to animal fur. Subsequently, individuals of the therapy program need to adhere to strict time schedules. They must keep track of their timetables so that the monitoring team can ensure that the teenagers are carrying out the specified daily routines.

Types of Treatments for Teens With Marijuana Addiction

Outpatient and inpatient programs are similar in concept, with the only difference being the institution’s type and length of stay. In outpatient programs, your kid is permitted to go home every day after their therapy session. In inpatient programs, your child must live in the facility until they fully recover.

Residential therapy is almost identical to inpatient treatment, except it can last months or years, depending on how the patient responds to therapy. The supervision in residential programs is not constant since the need for intensive medical treatment decreases as the therapy progresses.

Sober living or transitional housing programs are ideal for patients who have finished treatment at an inpatient rehabilitation facility but are afraid of relapsing. The personnel at the aftercare residence will assist them in remaining sober. In addition, your child will form strong bonds with other teenagers going through a similar situation. These relationships will build their interpersonal skills and develop their psychological health.

Transitional living ensures that your child will not succumb to marijuana cravings and relapse. The personnel can provide emotional assistance to teenagers who may be depressed due to being away from their families. Patients are also taught how to cook, clean, and conduct other household tasks alongside their peers, strengthening their sense of accountability as young adults in today’s society.

Lastly, treatment institutions provide a variety of programs for teenage treatment, but the most common options are therapies, such as:

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) — A type of cognitive-behavioral treatment that is refined and adjusted according to the patient’s needs. DBT is used to treat behavioral issues such as recklessness and intense, uncontrollable emotions. These are particularly frequent among teens with mental health or drug abuse issues. Its primary goal is to educate patients on living a meaningful lifestyle, developing healthy stress-coping strategies, controlling their emotions, and strengthening interpersonal relationships.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — Another type of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and modifying the destructive behaviors that adversely influence the patient’s emotions and actions. It stresses how ideas, attitudes, and behaviors can impact social relationships. CBT recognizes and examines these thoughts, then changes them into more realistic, reasonable ones.

Encouraging Your Child to Get Treatment

Before sending your child in for rehabilitation, talk about the possible health repercussions of marijuana addiction. Marijuana poses several concerns, and it is essential to warn them of these consequences, so they quit or minimize their consumption. You could use videos or documentaries to strengthen your message. Also, make sure your teenager is aware of the legal consequences of marijuana use. Even if they are young, breaking the laws might result in legal action depending on your state. Seeking addiction treatment might help them avoid all these pressing implications.

Patients benefit substantially from marijuana addiction treatments. Your teen will spend time with other teenagers who are going through the same problems. These connections will make them realize that they are not alone and that recovery is possible. Of course, you should also support them as best you can by being positive and helpful.

If your teen is abusing marijuana, you should be aware that there are proven recovery options that will help them get sober. Adolescent and teen marijuana abuse and addiction treatment approaches are effective programs that are far different from drug treatments for adults. Still, they have the same primary goal — to achieve a holistic recovery from the adverse physical and mental health implications caused by marijuana.

During the treatment, a qualified therapist will examine the family’s situation and the origins of the addiction. Later, they will try to improve the relationship between teenagers and their parents using various teen marijuana abuse treatment options.

Outpatient Treatment

With intensive outpatient therapy, teens can recuperate from mental health issues while trying to get back to their everyday lives. If the main issue is marijuana use, the primary objective is to get them away from the drugs that led to their current mental and behavioral issues. However, if the concern is about a mental health issue, the facility’s therapists and counselors will provide your kid — who will gain a greater understanding of their situation — with coping techniques.

Aside from a medication treatment approach, your kid may require professional assistance to enhance their school performance and conduct. Family therapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) can let them overcome issues such as depression and anxiety disorders. These therapies can also help in quitting smoking, reducing cravings, and fixing broken interpersonal connections. Even though the effectiveness of these treatment techniques is dependent on the patient’s willingness to be treated, the programs strive for favorable treatment outcomes.

The therapy’s length varies depending on the condition’s complexity. A structured, intensive outpatient juvenile treatment program, for example, runs for eight hours five days a week, but your teen is free to leave after each session. This type of treatment program does not require 24/7 professional supervision from the facility’s staff.

Inpatient Treatment

In this kind of treatment, the patient must remain inside the facility at all times. Besides that, outpatient and inpatient programs are similar in concept and scope, with the only difference being the institution’s type and length of stay. However, many circumstances may affect your decision to choose an inpatient rehabilitation program rather than outpatient therapy, such as the inefficacy of outpatient therapy or if your kid is a risk to others and requires constant expert monitoring.

Residential Treatment

Residential therapy is almost identical to inpatient treatment, which often causes confusion. Residential programs do not always supervise the patient during their stay since the requirement for intense hospital care decreases as therapy progresses. In fact, the curriculum of a residential program generally comprises a wide variety of components that treat both teen physical and mental health, such as counseling, group therapy, psychoeducational sessions, and even some traditional therapies.

The period of treatment is another significant difference between residential and inpatient therapy. While inpatient treatment is usually quick but intensive, residential treatment can last months or even years, depending on how the patient responds to therapy.

In residential treatment, the medical staff help teenagers, but not to the same degree as a 24/7 inpatient treatment. Following inpatient care, residential treatment can be utilized as a backup option. After establishing a healing foundation, patients can transition from an inpatient therapy program to a residential program, allowing them to focus on developing recovery techniques.

What are Marijuana Anonymous and 12-step Programs?

Marijuana Anonymous is a group of individuals who meet to share their stories of courage and faith in order to overcome their marijuana addiction together. Its methods are based on Alcoholics Anonymous’ fundamental 12 Steps of Recovery. The 12-step program emphasizes the need to practice strict integrity, open hearts and minds, and be prepared to go to any extent to achieve spiritual enlightenment.

Does My Child Need a Transitional Living Program?

Some patients who complete an inpatient rehab program fear that they will be unable to remain sober after leaving the facility. This is reasonable, as life difficulties can contribute to drug cravings and relapses. Those who are afraid of this should consider transitional living or relocate to a sober living facility.

Residents of sober living facilities can benefit remarkably from such programs. Your child will most likely associate with other teens who share similar perspectives and personal experiences. In sober living homes, many people form lasting bonds with their companions. These connections are proven to help develop interpersonal and communication skills as well as their mental health. The staff at the transitional apartments will also assist them in keeping track of their recovery progress.

Many teens in Los Angeles have become highly dependent on marijuana or addicted in the worst cases. As soon as you notice the signs of marijuana use in your child, seek professional intervention — such as teen marijuana treatment — as early as possible.

Marijuana Use in Teens

Marijuana is a dried, crushed mixture of green, brown, or gray materials of the marijuana plant. The chemicals in the plant affect the brain and can change a person’s mood or level of awareness. Here are some of the most frequently used marijuana consumption techniques:

• Rolling and smoking like a cigarette.
• Using a pipe to smoke (glass or metal pipe).
• Incorporating it into meals and ingesting it.
• Brewing the leaves and drinking as tea.
• Dabbing or smoking the oils of the cannabis plant.
• Using electronic vaporizers or vaping.

Physical Signs of Teenage Marijuana Use

An observant parent can easily notice signs of marijuana consumption. Look for unusual or new items in their bedroom, such as drug paraphernalia. These can be any devices used to ingest, hide, or use different drugs, like needles, burnt spoons, alcohol swabs, glass pipes, and lighters. In addition, here are the seven most common physical signs of marijuana use in teens:

• Sudden shifts in eating or sleeping habits.
• Poor hygiene and appearance.
• Dry, red, and swollen eyes.
• Difficulty speaking, trembling, and poor mind-body coordination.
• Runny nose or sniffing.
• Odd smells on their clothes or possessions.
• Sudden weight loss or weight gain.

Behavioral Signs of Teenage Marijuana Use

Most teenagers suffer from behavioral issues as a result of marijuana abuse and addiction. They typically fail to establish good interpersonal connections and often engage in confrontational and hazardous activities. While behavioral changes are natural during puberty, act swiftly if you suspect substance abuse and see a combination of the following signs:

• A decline in personal grooming.
• Becoming “spaced out” or withdrawing from social situations.
• Hyperactivity.
• Feelings of irrational fear or hysteria.
• Irrational anxiety.
• Unrest or mood changes.
• No motivation to do their school work or chores.

What Can You Do?

Substance addiction is a critical problem in Los Angeles that affects people from all walks of life. If you suspect or know that your teenager is abusing drugs, there is a way out that will not cause them any harm. Depending on their age, awareness, and marijuana use, you can enroll them in adolescent and teen marijuana abuse treatment programs. The majority of marijuana addiction treatment programs for teenagers differ significantly from those for adults. Substance abuse treatment is a type of intervention that helps people recover from their addiction to marijuana — or any other substance — by refraining from or limiting their drug use.

It is essential to get in touch with a mental health professional or a doctor that specializes in substance addiction as soon as you can. Marijuana abuse counselors, like school counselors and general psychologists, work intensively with teens and their families to identify health and behavioral issues to provide effective, long-term solutions. They focus on drug addiction and its significant repercussions and assist their patients, particularly teenagers, find the ideal path to recovery and sober life.

Many teens experiment or regularly use marijuana, with its consumption now being higher than ever. Today’s teenagers are more likely to become addicted to marijuana than to cigarettes. Adults aged 21 and above can consume weed recreationally in several states, but its use among children remains illegal.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2019, approximately 48 million Americans over 12 years old smoked marijuana in the previous year, making it the most widely used illegal drug in the country. The substance is alarmingly accessible to high schoolers. In 2019, over 33% of eighth-graders claimed that getting marijuana was easy for them. Nearly 60% of tenth-grade students and more than 75% of twelfth-grade students also agreed to that statement.

Researchers collected statistics from 3,177 tenth-grader students in Los Angeles at ten high schools from January to October 2015, three years before recreational marijuana was legalized in California in 2018. Tenth-graders reported using combustible cannabis or weed, dabbing, and consuming edible marijuana. Here are other surprising statistics on teen marijuana use in Los Angeles.

1. 11.4% of eighth-graders, 28% of tenth-graders, and 35.2% of twelfth-graders used marijuana in 2020.

From the total population of teens using marijuana, 8.1%, 19.1%, and 22.1% of eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders, respectively, used marijuana vapes. When teenagers vape pot, they damage their brains as well as their airways. There have been 2,807 total incidents of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) in the country, according to the data recorded in February 2020. The majority of EVALI cases have been attributed to products that contain THC, the psychoactive component in marijuana.

2. First-time marijuana users are between the ages of 12 and 14.

The younger a person begins using marijuana, the more likely they are to become addicted to drugs later in life. 66% of teenagers seeking treatment for marijuana addiction began using it when they were 14 years old, and 26% when they were 12 years old. Between 2017 and 2020, the number of high school students who vape marijuana doubled in numbers, with more than 20% of them admitting to doing so in the previous year. Approximately 8% of eighth-graders also said they had vaped marijuana at least once in the previous year.

3. More than half of the teenage population is dependent on marijuana.

Marijuana users under 18 are four to seven times more likely than adults to develop a cannabis addiction problem. About one out of every six people who begins smoking marijuana as a teenager develops an addiction. Marijuana addiction affects between 25% and 50% of people who use it daily. The rewarding benefits of marijuana, referred to as the “high,” contribute to its addictiveness, like other substances. When people can no longer afford marijuana or choose not to use it, they might suffer withdrawal symptoms similar to those experienced with other narcotics like cocaine and heroin.

4. Many teens have to be rushed to the emergency room due to marijuana overdose.

According to studies, the number of teens admitted to emergency rooms in Colorado tripled after marijuana became legal. The majority of them suffered from mental health issues caused by marijuana. They discovered that 639 teens who visited a Colorado health service in 2015 had marijuana or THC in their urine or directly informed a clinician they had used marijuana. The proportion of children aged 13 to 20 who visited the emergency room or immediate care facility for marijuana-related diseases increased from 1.8 per 1,000 admissions to 4.9 per 1,000 admissions between 2005 and 2015.

5. 24% of teens using cannabis concentrates are more likely to try other dangerous substances.

Additionally, 15% of eighth-grade students, 25% of tenth-grader students, and 33% of twelfth-grader students indicated they had tried marijuana concentrates in the last year. Users of concentrated substances were the most likely to have tried other drugs like heroin. Teenagers consume highly concentrated versions of cannabis using vaping devices and e-cigarettes. According to research, concentrate consumption may indicate excessive cannabis use and a willingness to attempt other hazardous substances. Marijuana consumption is linked to the use of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and illicit substances, such as cocaine and methamphetamines. In addition, marijuana addicts are three times as likely to develop a heroin addiction.

If your child is dealing with a marijuana addiction, then be aware that teen marijuana treatment facilities can provide a range of services. Therapies are the most popular, with detox as the first stage. Therapy can be delivered in several methods, including Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and Contingency Management. These were created to manage personality disorders, but since marijuana abuse and addiction change the brain’s structure, they can also be used to address drug issues.