Though not life threatening, withdrawing from smoking marijuana can lead to some serious symptoms such as headache, irritability, mood changes, stomach problems, anxiety, and lack of appetite. Compared to other addictive drugs such as heroin and cocaine, marijuana withdrawal symptoms are usually mild and not so serious or life threatening.
Marijuana withdrawal may not be dangerous, but they can lead to psychological and physical discomfort to a smoker. Addicts and consistent marijuana smokers may experience severe withdrawal symptoms more than those who smoke it occasionally.
Because these symptoms can sometimes be severe, some people end up relapsing due to inability to cope with such symptoms. A recent study of 500 marijuana users revealed that about one-third of them relapsed due to severe symptoms such as anxiety and irritability.
Heavy marijuana smokers should understand that they may experience severe withdrawal symptoms that will cause discomfort the moment they quit. Some users may even get to an extent of seeking help from a doctor or counselor for advice on how to reduce the severity of marijuana withdrawal symptoms.
The duration of withdrawal usually varies from one user to the next, depending on a number of factors such as frequency of smoking, tolerance and a person’s physiological status. For instance, studies show that a major marijuana ingredient known as THC takes longer to clear in the system of overweight users than those with little body fat.
What determine the severity of cannabis withdrawal symptoms?
Cannabis withdrawal symptom severity varies from user to user, depending on a number of factors as we are about to find out. Here are the factors that will determine the severity of marijuana withdrawal symptoms:
- The time taken in using marijuana—Chronic marijuana users are more likely to experience severe withdrawal symptoms than occasional users
- Individuals who depend highly on marijuana in life are also more likely to experience severe withdrawal symptoms than those who rarely smoke
- Users who cannot handle certain symptoms such as headache, irritability, and anxiety are more likely to experience severe withdrawal symptoms than users who can easily tolerate such symptoms
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms normally start on the first day after quitting, and worsen within the first three days. If managed well, marijuana withdrawal symptoms disappear within 14 days, but this depends on the frequency and duration of use. After a long and heavy use of marijuana, a user who quits smoking is likely to experience a minimum of one physiological and two psychological symptoms.
Here are some of the most common symptoms of marijuana withdrawal
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms can be categorized into psychological and physiological symptoms. Let’s begin with psychological symptoms of marijuana withdrawal.
Psychological symptoms of marijuana withdrawal
These are the most common psychological symptoms most users experience after quitting marijuana.
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Lack of appetite leading to loss of weight
Restlessness or discomfort
Physiological symptoms of marijuana withdrawal
- Chills
- Fever
- Headache
- Sweating
- Increased body temperature
- Pains in the abdominal area
- Tremors
Depending on a user’s ability to go through marijuana withdrawal symptoms, these symptoms are not life threatening and can therefore be handled and disappear within two weeks after quitting. Studies show that some users avoid quitting due to a possibility of severe withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and irritability.
Cannabis withdrawal symptoms are mostly not severe to make a smoker seek medical help, but in case of any complications related to such symptoms, it is always advisable to inform your doctor immediately. Compared to other types of drugs, marijuana withdrawal symptoms are less severe.
Some users also manage to quit marijuana with very few symptoms experienced. Severe symptoms are only experienced by chronic marijuana users who have had years of heavily smoking it.
There are currently no approved medications that can be used to treat symptoms that result from quitting marijuana. The reason why some users experience prolonged withdrawal symptoms is because THC, which is the main ingredient in marijuana, can remain in the body for days and even weeks.
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms are generally not dangerous or life threatening, compared to withdrawal symptoms of some street drugs. If managed well, marijuana withdrawal symptoms should vanish within the first week.
Conclusion
Although withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable, once you have made the decision to quit, you should stick to it. The withdrawal symptoms are a temporary phenomenon, and will disappear as the drug washes out of your system. The discomfort experienced during the withdrawal period is worth the clean and new life you will gain, a life that puts you in charge, not the drug.
