Again, this depends on the severity of marijuana dependence. Someone who has smoked only one joint every day for six months may not experience withdrawal symptoms acute enough to force them to start using again. Alternately, a person who has smoked over three joints a day for six months will probably need to enter a medical detoxification program to successfully abstain from smoking pot.
Although no medications have been approved by the FDA specifically for treating marijuana addiction, some medications are currently being researched to determine if they can help reduce nightmares and sleep difficulties affecting people detoxing from pot.
Ambien, a drug widely prescribed for insomnia, and buspirone, an anti-anxiety medication, may one day be approved as pot addiction medications by the FDA. Nutritional supplements N-acetylcysteine and FAAH inhibitors may decrease severity of cannabis withdrawal syndrome symptoms by preventing breakdown of cannabinoids naturally produced by the body.
Counseling and psychotherapy used to treat a marijuana addiction include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – identifies and corrects negative thinking patterns and beliefs that contribute to an addiction. CBT is invaluable to helping a person strengthen their self-control and cope with stress-causing “triggers” that increase cravings and the urge to use again.
Family Therapy – Substance addiction should not be considered an individual problem but a family issue involving communication problems, unresolved conflicts and other dysfunctional aspects. Family therapy is especially useful for treating adolescents or young adults addicted to pot who are still living with their parents.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) – an interventional form of therapy, MET is meant to promote rapid motivation in patients by teaching them how to strengthen their own psychological resources. Engagement, change and motivation are the cornerstones of MET.