Marijuana Addiction Treatment

Marijuana Addiction Treatment Near You in NJ, PA, & NY

Marijuana (cannabis) is one of the most used and abused drugs in the world. Although its use is often normalized, when a person has a problematic pattern of using marijuana, they may have a marijuana addiction, or cannabis use disorder (CUD).

Fortunately, help is available at Rubicon Recovery Center. We provide 3 outpatient rehab programs for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. We take a holistic, evidence-based approach to treat the whole person. Learn more about marijuana addiction and marijuana addiction treatment near you in Watchung, NJ.

Key Takeaways

• Marijuana is a widely used drug that people take for both recreational and medical purposes. When a person has problematic patterns of marijuana use, they may have a marijuana addiction.
• Marijuana addiction can lead to various physical, behavioral, and psychological symptoms, including constant fatigue, neglect of responsibilities, anxiety, mood swings, cravings, and more.
• To diagnose marijuana addiction, clinicians will often compare the patient’s symptoms and behaviors against standardized criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5).
• To treat marijuana addiction, treatment plans often involve individual and group behavioral therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management, along with holistic therapies and aftercare support.
• At Rubicon Recovery Center, we provide outpatient marijuana addiction treatment programs for individuals from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Understanding Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana, also commonly called cannabis, weed, and pot, is a psychoactive drug that comes from the dried flowers and leaves of the cannabis sativa plant. Its primary psychoactive component is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which gives users the “high” feeling associated with marijuana. After using marijuana, whether through smoking or another means of ingestion, people experience an altered state, which affects their mood, senses, and consciousness.

Although marijuana is widely used for recreational and medical purposes, it can also be habit-forming and addictive. When a person regularly uses marijuana, their brain adjusts to the constant presence of THC, resulting in a physical dependence on the drug. Marijuana addiction occurs when marijuana use becomes compulsive and continues despite negative effects on a person’s life.

Prevalence of Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana is one of the most widely used drugs in the United States. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), 61,500,000, or 23.4% of American adults, used marijuana in 2024. Marijuana use has increased greatly over the last decade, with an estimated increase of 65.2% between 2015 and 2024, likely due to increased legalization.

Although many people can use marijuana recreationally without developing an addiction, research has shown that 1 in 6 users who start using it before age 18 become addicted. People who use marijuana daily also have higher chances of becoming addicted.

In New Jersey, marijuana is legalized for recreational and medical use. This legalization has also led to higher rates of use. In 2022, about 20.3% of adults in New Jersey reported using cannabis in the past year. This equates to about a fifth of all adults in the state, showcasing the prevalence of marijuana use.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Marijuana Addiction?

When a person initially smokes or ingests marijuana, they often experience short-term effects like enhanced senses, mood changes, trouble thinking or problem-solving, increased appetite, relaxation, and more. However, when a person chronically uses marijuana, they may exhibit certain signs and symptoms that are indicative of a dependence on or addiction to marijuana. They include:

• Behavioral symptoms: These may include struggling to control marijuana use, neglecting responsibilities because of drug use, having a high tolerance, and needing to use more marijuana to get the desired effect, and having financial difficulties because of money spent on marijuana.
• Psychological symptoms: These can include cravings for marijuana, feelings of anxiety and depression, impulsivity or impaired judgment, paranoia, and more.
• Physical symptoms: These often include lethargy, increased appetite, reduced coordination, coughing and breathing problems, red or glassy eyes, and more.

Chronic marijuana use can also have long-term health consequences, including respiratory issues like chronic bronchitis from smoking and a gastrointestinal condition known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). It can also affect cognition and memory and aggravate certain mental health conditions.

How Is Marijuana Addiction Diagnosed?

To diagnose marijuana addiction, a person’s consumption must be distinguished from dependence or recreational use. To determine the severity of a person’s use, the individual must undergo a thorough clinical assessment that involves physical exams, psychological assessments, and symptom screenings.

Clinicians most often use the 11-point checklist outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). If a person exhibits 2 or more symptoms in a single 12-month period, they will be diagnosed with cannabis use disorder. The list includes:

• Experiencing a loss of control around marijuana use, such as using more than intended
• Trying and failing to cut down on marijuana use
• Spending a lot of time using, getting, or recovering from marijuana use
• Experiencing strong urges or cravings for marijuana
• Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home due to marijuana use
• Continuing to use marijuana despite negative effects
• Stopping or reducing enjoyable activities due to drug use
• Using marijuana in hazardous environments, such as when driving
• Ignoring the health risks of chronic marijuana use
• Needing to use more marijuana over time to get the same high
• Experiencing negative withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing use

Using these criteria, a diagnosis of CUD can be confirmed or ruled out. If addiction is confirmed, clinicians can gauge its severity.

Who Should Seek Marijuana Rehab?

Although marijuana use and abuse are very common throughout New Jersey and nationwide, there are still misconceptions that marijuana is not addictive and that chronic use doesn’t require professional treatment. If you’re concerned about your marijuana use, you may need professional help to quit. People who can benefit from marijuana rehab include those who:

• Struggle to control their marijuana use, even with negative effects
• Experience withdrawal symptoms when they don’t use marijuana
• Have changing interests or social circles to align with drug use
• Are experiencing declining performance at work, school, or home because of marijuana use
• Have reduced motivation, worsened sleep, reduced hygiene, or other noticeable changes in physical appearance
• Are ready to commit to a new journey of sobriety

If you’re familiar with some of these situations, marijuana rehab might be the right choice for you.

How Does Marijuana Addiction Treatment Work at Rubicon Recovery Center?

At Rubicon Recovery Center, we have vast experience in treating all kinds of substance use disorders, including CUD and marijuana addiction. When someone enters our facility, we will perform a thorough clinical assessment to confirm their diagnosis, gauge their level of need, and determine which of our 3 levels of programs will be the best fit for their circumstances. They include:

• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), our highest-level program that runs for 6 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), a middle ground between PHP and OP that runs for 3 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week
• Outpatient Program (OP), our lowest-level program that runs for 2 to 3 days per week, with 1 hour of treatment each day

Our OP is generally only for current patients who are looking to transition out of IOP or PHP. In all our programs, patients receive personalized treatment plans that address their physical, mental, and emotional needs, not just surface-level symptoms. This ensures whole-person healing that factors in underlying barriers and root causes that can affect treatment.

What Are the Treatment Options for Marijuana Addiction?

Treating marijuana addiction requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses spiritual, physical, and mental health. At Rubicon Recovery Center, we develop tailored treatment plans that often include a combination of different therapies, services, and modalities. For patients with marijuana addiction, the treatment options may include:

Medical Detoxification (Detox)

Medical detox may be used as part of marijuana addiction treatment, especially if the patient uses both marijuana and other substances, such as alcohol, cocaine, or other drugs. Marijuana use alone typically doesn’t require medically supervised detox, but combining marijuana and other drugs can make it necessary to manage withdrawal symptoms while weaning off all substances. If a patient needs detox, Rubicon Recovery Center can provide referrals to reputable medical detox facilities, helping them start recovery on the right foot.

Behavioral Therapies

Behavioral therapy and counseling are often cornerstones of addiction treatment. Through individual and group sessions and a variety of therapies, our team helps patients understand the underlying causes of their marijuana use, recognize their triggers, and foster stronger coping strategies. Some of the modalities we may use include:

• Group therapy: This is when a therapist leads a collaborative session with peers, helping members experience reduced feelings of isolation and shame, enhanced connection, and peer support.
• Family counseling: This involves a patient’s family members in therapy sessions, recognizing that addiction often impacts families as well as individuals. It can be used to increase understanding, rebuild relationships, break cycles of enabling and codependency, and nurture a supportive family environment.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a skills-based type of psychotherapy that helps patients identify negative thoughts that cause distress, challenge thoughts that don’t align with facts, and develop healthier coping responses they can use in distressing situations.
• Contingency management: This is an evidence-based behavioral therapy that uses rewards or incentives to positively reinforce recovery behaviors, such as having negative drug tests or continuously attending treatment.

Holistic Therapies

At Rubicon Recovery Center, we believe in treating the whole person, so we use a wide range of holistic therapies to supplement evidence-based therapies. Holistic therapies are practices that focus on addressing the connection between a person’s mind, body, and spirit.

Holistic therapies we employ include yoga, meditation, mindfulness, art therapy, and nutrition therapy. We will integrate some of these therapies into the patient’s treatment plan, helping them to restore balance and stability in their lives and promote lasting well-being.

What Are the Recovery Expectations for Marijuana Addiction?

Many people are curious about the recovery timeline for marijuana addiction. The truth is, there is no set timeline for recovery. Different people experience sobriety, relapses, and recovery in various ways. Some people may not relapse for years or at all, while others may relapse multiple times and need many different treatment programs. It’s important to know that relapses are a common part of recovery, and they don’t mean you failed. It is still possible to work toward lasting recovery after a relapse.

To give yourself the best chance at long-term sobriety, taking advantage of aftercare resources and support is crucial. At Rubicon Recovery Center, we know that recovery is an ongoing process, so we provide a range of aftercare resources for our patients. They include:

• Continuing individual and group therapy
• Relapse prevention techniques, including coping strategies training and support groups
• Alumni program
• Connections to community resources, such as sober living homes and life skills training

These resources can help people feel supported, cope with stress, prevent relapses, and have the best chances of long-term recovery.

Why Choose Rubicon Recovery Center for Addiction Treatment?

When you or a loved one needs compassionate marijuana addiction treatment, look no further than Rubicon Recovery Center. Established in March 2024, our comfortable and judgment-free facility provides a safe, secure place for patients with SUDs to heal. It has three large group rooms, 12 clinical offices, a conference room, and a lounge area, offering ample room for patients to interact, connect, and work on their recovery.

Our facility is staffed by an expert team of licensed addiction counselors, therapists, rehab professionals, and support staff. Our staff is dedicated to helping patients work through their addictions, get sober, and rediscover the joys of life beyond drug use. Our multidisciplinary team works to provide tailored treatment plans for each patient, with both evidence-based and holistic therapies being used to provide whole-person care.

At Rubicon Recovery Center, we are also passionate about increasing the accessibility of addiction treatment. Therefore, we offer financing options and accept various insurance plans that can help cover the cost of treatment. Explore our patient testimonials to see more reasons patients in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York choose our center for addiction treatment.

Find Marijuana Addiction Treatment Near You in NJ, PA, & N

Marijuana doesn’t have to control your life. Treatment is available near you at Rubicon Recovery Center. We offer three levels of outpatient rehab programs for individuals with marijuana addiction and other SUDs, helping them break free from substance abuse and work toward lasting recovery. To speak confidentially with an admissions specialist, call (908) 274-0015 today or contact us today for more information on our marijuana addiction treatment programs. We serve people from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York,

Frequently Asked Questions About Marijuana Addiction

How do I know if I am addicted to marijuana?

You may be addicted to marijuana if:

• You repeatedly try and fail to control your marijuana use
• You compulsively use marijuana despite negative effects
• You have withdrawal symptoms when you discontinue use
• You have a higher tolerance and need to use more marijuana to get the desired effect
• You are preoccupied with getting or using marijuana

What are the side effects of marijuana addiction?

Side effects of marijuana addiction include memory issues, trouble concentrating, mood swings, loss of motivation, preoccupation with marijuana use, and impacts on relationships, work, or family life.

What treatments are available for marijuana addiction?

Treatments for marijuana addiction include individual and group behavioral therapies, contingency management, and holistic therapies such as mindfulness and meditation.

Can marijuana addiction be treated without rehab?

Although it’s possible to treat marijuana addiction without rehab, professional treatment programs offer structured support and guidance that typically result in improved treatment outcomes.

Are there withdrawal symptoms from marijuana use?

Yes, there can be withdrawal symptoms from marijuana use, including:

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Aggression
• Disturbed sleep/dreaming
• Depressed mood
• Loss of appetite
• Chills
• Sweating
• Stomach pain

Is detox necessary to manage marijuana withdrawals?

No, detox is not typically necessary to manage marijuana withdrawals. Although they can be uncomfortable, the symptoms are not life-threatening or severe enough to require medical supervision. However, people who use marijuana along with other substances, such as alcohol or cocaine, may require detox.

How long does it take to recover from marijuana addiction?

There isn’t a set timeline to recover from marijuana addiction, as recovery looks different for everyone. Some people only need a few weeks of treatment, while others require several months of treatment. Recovery also extends past the treatment window, and many consider it a lifelong journey.

Will insurance cover the cost of treatment?

Whether insurance covers the cost of your addiction treatment will be determined by your insurance provider, plan, and benefits. At Rubicon Recovery Center, we accept most major insurance providers, including Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. We also offer a quick and easy insurance verification process to see whether you’re covered and what your potential out-of-pocket costs may be.

How can I support a loved one with marijuana addiction?

To support someone with a marijuana addiction, you can:

• Educate yourself about addiction
• Provide emotional support without judgment
• Recommend that they get professional help when they’re ready