THC is a psychoactive compound in marijuana and is the reason why many people have to undergo THC detox. Because THC works on the body’s endocannabinoid system, it can cause dependency in a short amount of time. If you develop an addiction like cannabis use disorder (CUD), you’ll need to work with a professional rehab center to detox. If this sounds like a scary process, we assure you it’s safe and effective to detox in-center! But can you detox on your own? And how long does THC detox take? We answer these questions below.
What Is THC Detox?
THC is the short form of tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. Although it’s not the only chemical compound in cannabis that produces a high, it is the most studied. THC produces the pleasurable effects of a drug high, including euphoria, dissociation, relaxation, and pleasure. Because your brain enjoys the flood of positive chemicals throughout your endocannabinoid system, THC is habit-forming. In order to escape the endless cycle of addiction that includes withdrawal and relapse, you may need to complete THC detox. This is a medical process where an individual safely removes toxins from their system in a detox facility.
Notably, detox at The Haven allows you to receive 24/7 medical monitoring for comfort and health. You’ll be administered nutrients, fluids, and optional comfort medications to make detox less painful. The whole detox process typically takes between 4-8 days, depending on your history of substance use and other personal factors.
Why Do People Need to Detox from Marijuana?
As noted, some forms of cannabis contain THC, a psychoactive compound. Another compound is CBD (cannabidiol), which is not psychoactive and may even act to block THC. Both THC, CBD, and the other cannabinoids in the plant are chemical substances that have different effects on the system.
Cannabis itself refers to the whole Cannabis sativa plant that grows in many parts of the world, including Canada and the U.S. Markedly, all parts of the cannabis plant can be used for different purposes. Some parts contain psychoactive properties and others don’t. Marijuana products do contain THC, so they are addictive and system-altering. The longer you use marijuana and the more you intake, the higher your risk for developing a dependence.
The reason there’s a need for cannabis detox is that many individuals become trapped in the addiction cycle from using weed. At this point, they have to keep taking more to fend off withdrawal symptoms because their system has become cannabis-reliant. But as with any drug addiction, quitting on your own is not an easy task. The psychological and physical symptoms are intense and painful. Professional marijuana detox is the safest and most effective way to rid cannabis from your system of cannabis and overcome dependence.
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How Do People Use Marijuana?
There are various ways to intake marijuana products into your system, making it a popular substance for people of all ages. In fact, cannabis is one of the most widely used substances amongst young adults (including teenagers and college students). Unfortunately, using weed as a young person can alter their brain formation and cause lasting cognitive issues, such as memory and focus. Because it is so addictive, marijuana’s legality varies by country and state. Yet, in places where it is legal, it’s easy to source. Here are the ways individuals use cannabis products.
Smoking Marijuana
Smoking marijuana is a popular method of ingesting weed. People will either roll dried plant pieces into cigar wrappers (called a joint) or smoke weed in pipes or bongs. Therefore, smoking marijuana refers to inhaling the smoke of melted-down buds or herbs. If you smoke pot, THC will enter your lungs and dissolve into your bloodstream for a fast high.
Edible Marijuana
There are also multiple ways to consume marijuana. Edibles are the overall term for marijuana that is eaten or drunk. In some cases, edibles refer to THC gummies, which come in different doses. Additionally, people may bake crushed marijuana buds into desserts like brownies or cookies. Lastly, THC-infused drinks such as tea or sparkling water can be purchased where weed is legal. With edible marijuana, taking too much is certainly a risk, especially with fun foods like gummies.
Vaping Marijuana
Lastly, vaping marijuana is another way to intake weed that is especially popular with young adults. Unfortunately, individuals often begin vaping when they’re young without realizing how addictive the substance is. Additionally, vaping marijuana can act as a gateway to further drug abuse, including opioids or street drugs. People vape weed by using a vape cartridge or inhaling smoke through a pipe.
How Long Does THC Stay in the Body?
Detox refers to the timeline for removing the majority of THC from your body so you can function apart from the influence of substances. Typically, it takes 4-8 days for your body to undergo withdrawal symptoms and recover from the initial shock of detoxing. However, the exact timeline during which traces of THC may remain in your system is longer than eight days. Markedly, it really depends on your unique situation around marijuana use. People who chronically use weed will generally take longer to rid their bodies of all traces.
THC can be detected in urine for anywhere from 24 hours to 30 days after your last dose. If you’ve been a more avid user, it could take up to a month. In blood, THC can linger for 12 hours or more, and in saliva for 1-3 days. However, it can take 90 days to fully remove THC from your body because it can still be detected in hair follicles.
What’s the Best Way to Quit Weed?
Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to quit using weed. If you have been a long-time user of marijuana, stopping will be especially hard. Your body will go into shock when you first deny your cravings for more, which will activate withdrawal symptoms. It is during the withdrawal phase that many people give up and relapse. Sadly, it’s simply too difficult to break an addiction on your own, since you may have psychological and physiological dependence.
However, breaking free from cannabis addiction is possible! The best way is to undergo professional weed detox at a facility like The Haven in Washington. Additionally, you can try to cut back on weed by avoiding triggers and setting daily limits that you reduce each week. However, trying to stop on your own often doesn’t work, so we recommend you explore detoxing through a treatment center.
Are There Professional Programs for Marijuana Abuse Recovery?
Yes, we offer professional programs for marijuana addiction recovery. Our treatment options will teach you how to eliminate cannabis from your life and maintain lifelong sobriety. Sometimes, all it takes is intentional time for healing and gaining the skills to avoid relapse. Our programming includes medical detoxification to remove substances from your system, but also follow-up treatment. Notably, our rehab is split into various levels of care that you can work through as you achieve independence in abstinence. Immediately after detoxing from weed, you can transition into residential inpatient treatment. From there, you can move into one of our flexible outpatient rehab options, and finally, stay connected to support in aftercare.
Entering drug treatment at a rehab center could be the step that transforms your future! We truly believe addiction rehab should be a life-changing experience that sets you on a path of success and fulfillment. This is why our programming is comprehensive and highly individualized. Further, we offer locations around Washington so you can remain close to home while you’re recovering in our detoxification facility.
What to Look for in a Washington State Detox Center
Detoxing from THC is a common concern for daily and heavy users of marijuana, especially those facing upcoming drug tests or seeking to improve their mental and physical health. THC is stored in fat cells, making it harder to eliminate quickly, especially for those with higher body fat or slower metabolisms. Popular detox methods include detox drinks, same-day detox kits, 5-day detox programs, and natural approaches like drinking plenty of water and cranberry juice, as well as incorporating herbs like milk thistle and dandelion root. Physical activities and weight loss may also help accelerate the body’s natural detoxification process. While many detox kits and test kits offer peace of mind, their cleansing effectiveness varies, and no product can guarantee you won’t test positive, especially for heavy users.
If you’ve seen glimpses of your situation in this article, it’s time to explore medical detox for cannabis use. Needing help to remove a powerful psychoactive substance from your system is nothing to be embarrassed about. THC is a strong ingredient that interacts with your brain’s cannabis receptors to create a habit-forming response. But there is hope for functioning free of marijuana! At The Haven Detox, we make detoxification a comfortable and safe experience. You can be sure you’ll be well cared for in our state-of-the-art medical facilities. Our empathetic and highly-experienced staff will revolve around you 24/7 until you’re free from cannabis. We can get you booked for THC detox right away, so call us now to enter The Haven in Washington!
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