Drug Addiction

The active ingredient in marijuana that makes people high is called THC. When a person smokes marijuana, THC enters the lungs and quickly passes into the bloodstream. From there, it’s carried to the brain and other parts of the body. THC attaches to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain. Normally, these receptors are activated by naturally-produced chemicals. The body produces these chemicals to help the brain function and develop correctly. However, the amount produced is much less than the amount of THC ingested from marijuana.

While many people do smoke marijuana, some choose to eat it. It still produces the same effect, although it takes longer to get into the bloodstream from the stomach.

Once THC has bonded with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, the user will start feeling its effects. Most of these receptors are found in areas of the brain connected with perception, coordination, thinking, memory, and pleasure. When they’re overstimulated by high amounts of THC, the user enters an altered state of perception and feeling. When high, users may experience the following:

• Slowed reaction time
• Difficulty thinking and solving problems
• Difficulty remembering things
• Changes in appetite
• Impaired coordination
• Altered perception of time
• Changes in mood

According to a number of studies, abusing marijuana by using it daily or by using high amounts of it can lead to physical and mental health issues. It can also result in users getting less satisfaction from any other activity besides getting high. The end result is similar to other addictions in that the user begins focusing solely on chasing the high and neglects school, work, hobbies, and relationships.

There are some specific health risks that marijuana users may experience:

• They may develop a regular cough or other breathing conditions due to repeated smoking.
• They may be more at-risk for lung infections, the flu, and other respiratory diseases.
• Their immune system will be weaker.
• Heavy use of marijuana can damage the central nervous system and brain.
• They may develop fertility issues.
• Their blood pressure and heart rate may become elevated.

There are other types of risks that come from abusing marijuana, and these risks aren’t limited to those who are addicted to the substance. Using marijuana irresponsibly can be just as dangerous. For example, someone who gets high and then drives may not have the reaction time needed to prevent an accident. A parent who smokes marijuana may not recognize that their child is in need of help until it’s too late. Marijuana has also been linked to depression, anxiety, and a general lack of motivation.

It’s important to note the difference between THC and CBD now that CBD is so widely available. Both are naturally found in marijuana plants, but they don’t have the same properties. THC is what creates the “high” effect. CBD, on the other hand, does not give users the euphoric highs that make marijuana potentially addictive. It does, however, have many of the medicinal benefits as marijuana. If you know someone using CBD oil, know that they’re not getting high, nor are they becoming addicted to marijuana. Overall, CBD is a safer alternative to medical marijuana with some, though fewer, side effects.

If you know someone who has begun abusing marijuana, they need to get marijuana addiction treatment. If someone exhibits some of the following, they’re likely addicted to marijuana:

• They crave the high that using marijuana brings.
• They always have marijuana on hand.
• Their tolerance has increased, so they need to use more and more of the drug to get high.
• They’ve tried and failed to stop.
• Their use of marijuana has affected their work, relationships, and other activities.
• They spend money on marijuana instead of on other necessities.

When a patient comes to Good Landing for treatment, we first sit down with them and discuss their marijuana use. We want to know how long they’ve used the drug, why they started using it, and how often they use it. This gives us a look at their history with marijuana and how it has affected their lives.

Marijuana addiction treatment is similar to other drug rehab. At Good Landing Recovery, we have a holistic, faith-based approach that includes medically proven therapies. Sometimes, those who are abusing marijuana are not fully addicted, but still need help controlling their habit. For these individuals, outpatient rehab is often the solution. They’re often psychologically addicted. Their body doesn’t physically crave marijuana, but they mentally believe they need it to function. We will help them learn healthy coping mechanisms to overcome this type of addiction.

For those who are addicted, partial or full in-patient therapy is recommended. While only a small percentage of marijuana users do develop physical addiction, it happens. This type of addiction is just as strong as an addiction to heroin, cocaine, and other hard drugs. When these users stop using marijuana, they experience withdrawal. We will work with them to deal with these symptoms and overcome their addiction.

We’re here to help anyone overcome the psychological or physical marijuana addiction they’ve developed. If you or a loved one are abusing or addicted to marijuana, please reach out to Good Landing today. We will help you get control of your life back from this addiction.

Meth is an illegal drug that is similar to medications such as Adderall. Those medications, classified as amphetamines, are highly regulated due to their addictive properties. These medications are also only prescribed to treat medical conditions such as narcolepsy or ADHD. Meth, on the other hand, has no medicinal purposes. It’s made and sold illegally to make people high. Unfortunately, more than a million people in the U.S. are addicted to meth.

In addition to being shortened to meth, methamphetamine is also known by a wide variety of other names (aka street names), including the following:

• Crystal or crystal meth
• LA Ice
• Chalk
• Hot Ice
• Speed
• Crank
• Blue
• Glass
• Blade
• Poor man’s cocaine
• Tina
• Biker’s coffee

Like many other drugs, meth changes the chemistry in the brain. It activates the part of the brain that creates the neurotransmitter dopamine. This chemical is the one that creates a feeling of satisfaction and happiness at a job well done. Many normal actions cause the brain to release dopamine, but the amount released isn’t very much. Meth, however, changes that. It makes the brain create more and more dopamine, pushing past what is a safe level.

With repeated use over time, though, meth begins to affect how the brain reacts to dopamine. It damages and then fully destroys the receptors that register dopamine. This makes it much more difficult for the person to naturally feel happy and satisfied. They then must rely on meth to have these feelings. Everything that used to give the person joy no longer does, so they begin to focus everything on their meth addiction. While it’s possible the brain can heal if the addiction is treated quickly, many people end up with permanent damage. This is one reason why many going through meth addiction treatment may need an intervention.

There are a number of reasons why meth is incredibly dangerous. In addition to the damage it does to the brain, it also affects the body in a number of different ways:

• Meth affects the part of the brain that triggers the hunger response. As a result, users stop eating as much and are likely to lose a dangerous amount of weight very quickly.
• Because it’s a stimulant, people who abuse meth often find it very difficult to sleep. A lack of sleep has been medically shown to greatly affect many parts of the body.
• Meth also increases the user’s body temperature. The body responds to this by sweating, which can lead to dehydration.
• Users often develop osteoporosis, leading to weaker bones and teeth.
• Damage to the kidneys, liver, and lungs. If used for long periods of time, meth can cause permanent damage to these organs.
• Meth also affects the user’s behavior. It can lead to paranoia, aggressive outbursts, and hallucinations.

Here at Good Landing Recovery, we work to address all of these health issues in addition to the addiction. Our drug rehab programs help recovering meth users learn about proper diet and exercise. We assist them with creating and sticking to a regular sleep and meal schedule. We also provide anger management counseling and family therapy to help everyone the addiction affected heal.

While the dangers listed above can certainly be observed in your loved one, they’re often more long-term effects. It’s also easy for the user to blame something else for their weight loss, lack of sleep, and even their aggression. To truly help show your loved one that they’re abusing meth, you need to look for some of the short-term effects, too.

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Increased energy, especially bursts of energy
• Heavy breathing
• Dry mouth
• A general attitude of being excited all the time
• Being more irritable, especially between highs
• Nervousness
• Tremors
• Sweating

You may also start to notice their meth use cycle. They will be excited, happy, and in general “up” after they use, but then they will crash. This is when they become irritable, angry, and depressed. If they go too long without using, these symptoms will become even more evident. Many users start to immediately take more meth as soon as they recognize the crash coming. This can lead to going without sleeping or eating for days at a time.

Our team approaches all addictions with a holistic view. We treat more than just the addiction—we help our patients become well physically, mentally, and spiritually. While helpful with all addictions, this method is especially helpful with meth because the drug affects the patient in many different ways. We work with them to begin eating right, exercising, and sleeping regularly. We will also help them find the medical and dental specialists who can help them repair the damage meth has wrecked on their bodies.

Mentally and spiritually, our patients work with counselors to learn how to control their emotions and address their dependence on meth. Patients learn how to deal with any suicidal thoughts their addiction brought to the surface and how to reach out to those they have hurt. Spiritually, we encourage all of our patients to put their faith in Christ. We ask that they accept his grace and his forgiveness so that they can begin rebuilding their lives from a solid foundation.

If you believe your loved one is abusing meth, you may not know what to do. We’re here for you, too. Our team at Good Landing can provide you with resources that can help you cope with your loved one’s actions and help show them that they’re in need of help. Please reach out to us today to talk to us about your loved one’s meth addiction.