Should I go to Treatment for Smoking Weed?

Is Marijuana A Drug?

On one side, you have fervent anti-drug campaigners who argue that weed is absolutely a drug and a dangerous one at that. On the other side, you have marijuana activists who argue that weed is natural and, if used responsibly, harmless. The third side is new medical uses for marijuana as medicine.

Those are the extremes. The rest of us fall somewhere in the middle when it comes to our opinions about marijuana.

Weed isn’t different from any other drug. If you suffer from the disease of addiction, it doesn’t matter if a substance is legal, illegal, natural, synthetic, harmless, or dangerous. If you suffer from the disease of addiction, all mind and mood-altering chemicals are dangerous. This idea, that addicts and alcoholics can’t safely use drugs or alcohol in any form, brings us nicely to the question of whether someone abusing weed should seek help.

Should You Consider Treatment for Marijuana?

This cultural misunderstanding doesn’t change the fact that marijuana addiction is a very real thing. I know people who’ve never touch a so-called “hard” drug, but have no problem smoking an ounce of weed each day. They can’t function without it. They can’t face life sober. That’s the very definition of addiction. It’s also important to remember that addiction is more than the substances someone uses. It’s a disease centered in our thinking and our actions. It’s a disease of compulsion and dishonesty.

But before you even consider seeking treatment for marijuana addiction, you may need to get rid of preconceptions. Someone can suffer from the disease of addiction without fitting the stereotype of an addict. They may hold down a job, but pop pills all day. They may have a successful marriage but drink themselves to sleep every night. They may be normal in all other areas but be unable to face the world without smoking weed. These are all things for those thinking about going to rehab for weed to consider.

Being in Recovery and Using Marijuana

Let’s say you recognize you have a problem with drugs and seek treatment. What then? What happens once you graduate and re-enter the world? Can you still smoke? After all, it’s only weed, right?

I’ve seen this happen before. I’ve even been guilty of thinking it myself in the past! For all the reasons mentioned above, many addicts and alcoholics seem to think marijuana is different than other drugs. This can lead to some dangerous behavior. Bottom-line – if it takes you out of your recovery path, then you wouldn’t have one much longer, we always find our way back to running. In the words of Neil Young "Some get stoned, some get strange, but sooner or later it all gets real."

Conclusions

• Is marijuana a drug? It absolutely is.

• Is marijuana addiction a real phenomenon? It absolutely is. (signs of marijuana addiction are clinical)

• Should those suffering from it seek treatment? They absolutely should.

Safe Haven Recovery is a boutique Florida Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center located in Miami, FL. We specialize in Suboxone Maintenance & Detox, along with, Couples Addiction Treatment. Call us today at 866-447-4650.

About the Author

Matthew Koenig is a freelance writer and principal of Last Call Marketing which devotes their efforts to Digital Marketing, SEO and Social Engagement. Concentrated in addiction recovery, Mr. Koenig is based out of South Florida. His sober date is June 10, 2013.