If you haven’t already, go check out our How To Detox From Cannabis (Part 1) guide. We talk about the process of detoxing from cannabis and some methods you can take in order to detox your body successfully. Whether your end goal is to pass a drug test, take a tolerance break, or completely rid your body of THC.
The CDC found that a whopping 48.1 million people in the United States have used marijuana at least once since 2019. Also finding that at least 30% of these users will develop a marijuana dependency.
The correct diagnosis is called Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) and uses a criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). To be diagnosed with CUD, you have to exhibit a problematic pattern of cannabis use that leads to significant distress or impairment in your daily functioning. The DSM-5 lists 11 criteria and showcasing 2 or more of these criteria within a 12-month period is required to be diagnosed with CUD. The following is the criteria:
Here are some common withdrawal symptoms that can occur when stopping or reducing THC use after regular consumption:
Insomnia: difficulty falling or staying asleep is very common as THC affects sleep patterns.
Irritability/Anger: feelings of frustration and anger are common due to changes in neurotransmitter levels.
Anxiety: increased feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and panic attacks are a withdrawal symptom.
Restlessness: an inability to relax or sit still accompanied by fidgeting is a withdrawal sign.
Cravings: strong urges to use marijuana to relieve withdrawal symptoms can occur.
Changes in Appetite: both increased and decreased appetite are reported during withdrawal.
Nausea: feelings of queasiness in the stomach are a potential symptom.
Mood Swings: shifts between depression and euphoria as neurotransmitters readjust.
Headache: headaches are a reported symptom, potentially due to changes in blood flow.
Diarrhea: loose stools or digestive changes can occur during the detox period.
Sweating: excessive sweating may happen as the body works to metabolize THC.
Symptoms tend to peak 1-3 days after stopping and last up to a week for light users or several weeks for heavy long-term consumers.
Withdrawal management is a different process from person to person. The best things recommended by medical providers and those who have experienced cannabis withdrawal symptoms are:
Although people detox from cannabis for many different reasons, the dreaded drug test can put you into a forceful situation to get clean, and get clean quick!
Using your hair or bodily fluids, drug tests will measure the amount of cannabinoid metabolites in your system. Specifically testing the amount of delta-9 THC, which is the cannabinoid responsible for giving you psychoactive effects.
Urine test: Most common. Can detect THC 1-7 days for casual users, up to 30 days for heavy users. Looks for THC metabolites in urine.
Blood test: Can detect recent use within hours or days rather than weeks. Detects parent THC compound rather than metabolites. More expensive.
Urine drug test - THC metabolites can be detected in urine for 1-30 days depending on usage and individual factors. Urine tests are most common.
Blood test - THC itself can be detected in blood for 1-3 days after use. Blood tests are less common than urine but show more recent use.
Hair follicle drug test - THC is incorporated into hair shafts as they grow, allowing detection of usage going back 90 days or more. Hair tests are very difficult to pass.
Saliva drug test - THC can be detected in saliva for 1-3 days after use. Saliva tests show recent smoking or ingestion.
If you're a light, occasional user, THC can be detected in your urine for about 1-7 days. If you're a more habitual user, your detection window extends to 7-10 days. Now, for everyday users, it can hang around for a whopping 10-30 days or more.
These go into the depths of your body to uncover THC. If you're a light user, you're in luck; THC can only be detected for about 1-2 days. Frequent users? You're looking at about 3-5 days. And for our heavy users, it can stick around for 5-10 days.
These are quick to spill the beans, picking up traces of THC from light users for about 1-2 days, and from frequent users for around 2-3 days.
These can take you back, way back. With a 1.5 inches long hair sample, they can detect THC for up to 90 days.
Of course, there's a whole army of factors that influence these detection times. How often you use, your method of consumption (are you a smoker or an edibles enthusiast?), your body fat percentage, metabolism, and hydration levels all play their part in this game of hide and seek with THC.
It’s more about how much you use THC and the way your body metabolizes it. The only foolproof way to avoid detection? Well, that's to turn down the invite and abstain from all THC consumption.
There are many options out there, most of them being either outpatient or inpatient detox programs. These allow you to be monitored by a medical professional. If you choose to go the outpatient route, you are looking at a 1 to 3 week program that provides you with the resources and help you need in order to detox safely.
Going the inpatient route is a quicker 3 to 7 day program where you stay in the care of detox specialists and medication until your clean and not experiencing any withdrawal symtoms. Some inpatient programs will provide you counseling during your stay as well as how to continue your THC-free path after the program.
If you have tried to detox or make changes to your lifestyle a few times but keep hitting a wall, it might be time to reach out for help. When the withdrawal sypmtoms become unbearable and are interfering with your day-to-day grind, it's a red flag and need to chat with a specialist.
People with a history of substance abuse can't typically rely on lifestyle and changes in diet alone. Same can go for heavy, long-time users. Quitting cold turkey all on your own has a high-risk for strong withdrawal symptoms.
