How to Manage Withdrawal From Cannabis Use Disorder

Throughout history, there have been contradicting sides as to whether cannabis is addictive or not. Some researchers and consumers claim that cannabis is not addictive and, from experience, it would be easy to stop at any given time, on the other, cannabis withdrawal syndrome and other researchers describe a list of withdrawal symptoms related to halting cannabis use.  This suggests your experience with cannabis withdrawal can be one or the other. If it turns out that cannabis withdrawal syndrome is your experience, knowing how to manage the withdrawal is important. 

Cannabis Addiction vs. Frequent Use 

It is common for individuals to confuse cannabis addiction with frequent cannabis use. However, there is a monumental difference between the two which necessitates their separate identities. Frequent use typically refers to relying on the plant for medical reasons such as pain management or anxiety alleviation. Cannabis addiction is called Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) and is marked by problematic cannabis consumption. Individuals who are dependent on cannabis consume it frequently, just like those struggling with CUD. But the major difference between the two frequent consumptions is that the individuals with CUD prioritize cannabis consumption over many other things such as work or finances. CUD individuals also tend to have a lack of control over their consumption, over how much they consume as well as when they consume. Cannabis Use Disorder often includes withdrawal symptoms when they are unable to take their toke, this is often referred to as cannabis withdrawal syndrome. 

Common Symptoms Related to Cannabis Withdrawal

• Anxiety
• Sleeping Troubles
• Moodiness such as irritability or anger.
• Restlessness
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Headaches
• Reduced appetite

Oddly enough, these symptoms are often reasons for accessing licensed medical cannabis products in the first place. Unlike withdrawal symptoms from drugs such as cocaine, the withdrawal symptoms from cannabis are highly unlikely to send you to the hospital. However, managing the withdrawal correctly is important in order to minimize discomfort and frustration from the symptoms.

Cannabis withdrawal symptoms generally last around two weeks with peaking withdrawal symptoms between days 4 and 7. These symptoms do not cause a major threat and can be seen through without intervention if desired so. 

The Nicotine Patch Study 

The American National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has funded a study on using nicotine patches for the treatment of withdrawal from cannabis. The theory is that the nicotine patches would be able to treat the withdrawal from cannabis through the same manner in which it does so for cigarettes and tobacco. However, it appears that the study did not go according to how it was planned to. 

In this study, the participants were paid to abstain from cannabis consumption for 15 consecutive days. During these days, they were required to apply patches of either 7mg nicotine or a placebo. The participants had to consume cannabis at least 5 times a week for the last year in order to qualify for the study. 

The leading doctor explained that the nicotine would simply replace the cannabis in order to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal from cannabis. The results of the study showed that the nicotine patch increased nausea by 20-25%, which is likely to cause some trouble in future research. NIDA was unable to make concluding statements about this study since their efforts became focused on the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Managing Withdrawal From Cannabis

The most common treatments for cannabis withdrawal are either cognitive behavior therapy or medication therapy. Do be aware that both of these have not been researched enough to show concrete evidence of effectiveness.

Common Cannabis Medication Treatments:

• Dronabinol which is synthetic Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
• Nabiximol which is Cannabis in a mucosal spray.
• Gabapentin for anxiety. However, this medication comes with a lot of negative side effects. 
• Zolpidem for sleeping disruptions. Which also comes with a list of negative side effects. 

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

This type of treatment for withdrawal takes a hands-on approach where the goal is to change the patterns of thinking or behavior that have led to challenges and difficulties that have led to cannabis addiction. This is a physically non-invasive treatment that could be used to address a variety of issues. This could be a beneficial holistic approach to deal with the underlying problems of the addition too. 

Tips For Managing Withdrawal Without Medical Interventions

• Make use of teas. Drinking different kinds of tea can lessen nausea (mint tea), assist with reducing anxiety (camomile tea), stimulate nutrient intake, and cleansing (green tea).
• Take up some yoga. Whenever you feel anxious and even before bed, do some yoga and breathing exercises. Yoga has a variety of mental and physical benefits and can help you sleep, relax, and feel physically and emotionally better. 
• Tell someone you trust about what you are doing and going through. This can help keep you accountable and provides you with the necessary support. 
• Ensure that your access to cannabis is as restricted as possible. 
• Exercise daily. It is important to exercise frequently when dealing with withdrawal. It will also boost the body’s dopamine levels. 

It should be understood that cannabis is one of, if not the most, safest and beneficial herbal substances available, even among man-made ones. However, some people can get into serious situations with cannabis for unhealthy reasons such as avoiding reality or addressing inner turmoil. These situations lead to serious trouble which may necessitate treatment options such as cognitive behavior therapy with prescribed medications. 

There are a number of contextual factors that can lead to troubling cannabis consumption and withdrawal. These should first be assessed with a professional before deciding on a means for dealing with the cannabis withdrawal. In opinion, if possible to do so, stay strong headed enough to stick through the two weeks (could be a bit longer) of withdrawal to avoid putting medication, with potentially adverse effects, in your body. Make use of the tips if you agree that this is your best path forward.