Teenagers nowadays are likely to try marijuana during their high school years for experimentation and recreational use – and some continue this activity well into their adult years. Many teens believe that marijuana isn’t addictive because it’s from a “natural herb”, but the reality is that it can be addictive both physically and psychologically. In 2018, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry highlighted that teens have so many ways to consume marijuana – such as through edibles, beverage products, oils and more – and this can make it more difficult for parents to detect before marijuana use leads to dependency.
The short-term effects of marijuana can have a significant effect on a teen’s school performance, difficulties with memory and concentration, increased aggression, car accidents, worsening of underlying mental health conditions and more. Long-term effects can involve cannabis use disorder (CUD) which can include consuming more marijuana than originally intended, difficulty cutting down on marijuana use, craving marijuana, continuing to use the drug despite social, home or academic consequences and much more.
According to Very Well Mind in 2018, a study concerning marijuana withdrawal found that individuals who quit using the substance experienced physical withdrawal symptoms similar to that of other drugs – and they began about 24 hours after quitting use. Teens in recovery may experience physical withdrawal symptoms that peak at around 2-4 days, with remaining symptoms subsiding after 1-3 weeks. It truly depends on how severe the addiction or dependency is, along with a teen’s current mental health condition, their past with other substances and more.
A 2015 study published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Use assessed 22 adolescents as they abstained from marijuana use. The authors of the study found that cravings were quite prominent, along with symptoms related to mood, sleep and physical complaints. If you have a teen who is struggling with marijuana use, don’t wait any longer to get them the help they need. This period of recovery could change their life for the better – and could set them on a path that steers away from addiction.
Adolescent Recovery of Cumberland Heights (ARCH) originally began in 1985 when there were few other adolescent programs like it in the country. In 2019, we’re expanding our continuum of services with ARCH Academy, a unique program located in Kingston Springs that offers 60 days to 6 months of residential care to adolescent boys ages 14-18 who are struggling with alcohol and/or drug addiction. This new program stems from Cumberland Heights, which has been around since 1966, and is located in Nashville, Tennessee. The adolescent age is a critical time for development, making this a crucial time of positive influence. For more information, call us today at 1-800-646-9998.