Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms

If you’re experiencing negative symptoms while trying to quit cannabis, you’re not alone. Research suggests that about 47 per cent of the people who regularly use cannabinoids experience at least some type of withdrawal. In many of the instances, withdrawal contributed to clinically-significant symptoms that were disruptive enough to interfere with a person’s daily existence.

Cannabis withdrawal symptoms (CWS) can be both psychological and physical, new research suggests. While psychological symptoms top the list, headaches, insomnia, tremors and sweating can also occur.
Cannabis withdrawal alone does not require medical intervention, however, if you detox from cannabis within a treatment centre such as ours, our team will support you throughout the withdrawal phase. Here are the essentials you need to understand to determine whether you’re experiencing CWS and if you need assistance.

What Is Cannabis Withdrawal?

When you stop using cannabinoids after being consistent or you reduce the amount you usually take, you may experience withdrawal symptoms.

Cannabis contains a psychoactive substance called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The cannabis strain is the primary determinant of THC content. There are three main strains of cannabis – sativa (that has a mainly energising effect), indica (has a relaxing effect) and hybrid.

Indica strains are high in THC and they may produce the most significant withdrawal symptoms. Sativa strains contain less THC and more cannabidiol (CBD) – a substance that doesn’t have psychoactive properties. Hybrid strains can sometimes be modified to up the THC content but there may be significant differences from one variety to another.

There’s one more cannabis strain out there called ruderalis. This one, however, isn’t as widely used as the others because it doesn’t produce significant effects. The strain has very little THC and it’s not a common choice for recreational or medicinal purposes.
THC affects the functioning of the brain and if you suddenly cut off the supply, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms. The withdrawal isn’t as severe as in the case of opioid withdrawal, for example. Still, if you have been a regular smoker, you will probably go through unpleasant experiences. Seeing professionals like the Providence Projects team is one of the ways to equip yourself with knowledge and tools required to combat CWS.

Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms

Some of the most common cannabis withdrawal symptoms include:

• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Insomnia
• Recurring headaches
• Unusual sweating and fever
• Chills
• Poor concentration
• Shaking
• Intense cravings
• Low appetite
• Increased feelings of depression
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain

Smoking cannabis is associated with intense psychological withdrawal symptoms. You may be irritable, or get extremely angry when someone even suggests quitting – this is unhealthy attachment talking. Your ‘recreational’ cannabis use shouldn’t be a cause for arguments, fights or anxiety. Extreme emotional outbreaks indicate that you are no longer a recreational user, rather you’ve become addicted to the substance.

The severity of withdrawal symptoms depends on:

1. How much you used
2. The duration of being a user
3. The way you took the drug (smoking, mixing it with other substances, rolling a cigarette or smoking out of a bong, etc.)
4. Your overall health

Timeline of Withdrawal Symptoms

1. Cannabis withdrawal symptoms begin quickly, with many individuals reporting issues with sleep or vivid dreams within a couple of days.
2. During the withdrawal period, the psychological symptoms (mood swings, irritability) will last longer than the physical symptoms (abdominal pain, shakiness). The reason is that the high THC levels in the brain take a while to go down.
3. Some people experience prolonged symptoms of withdrawal such as depression. Symptoms can persist for much longer than the initial withdrawal phase.
4. Cannabis withdrawal symptoms quickly disappear when a person takes the drug. That’s why many find themselves trapped in the cycle of abuse. It’s important to note that the timeline of withdrawal symptoms differs from one person to another. Cannabis withdrawal symptoms of chronic users can extend for over two weeks compared to a user with average dependence. A chronic user can experience intense withdrawal symptoms that last for weeks and even months after discontinuing use.

Is a Detox Enough to Tackle Cannabis Addiction?

As many users think cannabis addiction doesn’t exist, it can be difficult to challenge those assumptions. Cannabis abuse over a long period of time, however, does lead to dependence. Detoxification from cannabis is a great way to jumpstart the achievement of your sobriety goals as far as addiction is concerned.

Detox gives your body a fresh start as you begin your addiction recovery journey. However, detox alone does not treat the psychological dependence on cannabis, which is the leading cause of withdrawals. Rehab, therapy, and involvement in aftercare services, such as support groups and fellowship groups, will be your trusty companion during your recovery.

If you are struggling to quit weed, or have made previous attempts to stop, we offer residential detox to help you on the road to recovery. To help you resist future temptations, we will work with you to create effective coping skills. You need to learn how to approach triggers to avoid relapsing, which will help you to stay sober in the future.

Having helped over 10,000 people overcome their addiction, we’re confident in the effectiveness of our tailored, holistic approach. Providence Projects has been dealing with addiction recovery over the course of 25 years. Let us guide you through the confusing CWS phase and equip you with the tools needed to make your journey easier and successful in the long run.