Marijuana has become a highly sought-after substance, and many people use it to relieve symptoms of depression. Although its effects are debatable, if marijuana is being used as an “at-home” remedy for psychological distress, that could be a cause for alarm.
Evidence suggests a correlation between marijuana misuse and depression. Though it is unlikely that marijuana use itself induces depressive symptoms, some people turn to the drug as an attempt to self-medicate. However, this is not beneficial in the long run since treating depression with marijuana does little more than mask its effects; thus leaving underlying issues unresolved which can result in further mental health decline. This could then cause someone to rely on increased levels of substance abuse, creating an addictive behavior cycle over time.
At Footprints Beachside Recovery, we use an evidence-based, holistic treatment program to address the core problems of depression. Our marijuana addiction treatment in Florida can help set lives back on track. Start by calling 727-954-3908 or by reaching out online to find out more.
The Dangers of Self-Medicating
Self-medication spawns from a very relatable, very human sense of individualism. Everybody feels, in some way, that they know what’s best for themselves. This intuition often leads to mixed results but completely falls apart when the brain itself is affected by drugs. Drugs alter the most vulnerable parts of the brain, like the reward system, and mitigate the would-be concerns about long-term wellness in favor of immediate relief.
Drugs are a primary means of self-medicating. Many drugs elicit a calming, elating, or stimulating response that can feel like a short fix for disorders like depression or anxiety. This high comes at a cost, though—when it ends, people are usually left with a worse feeling than before they self-medicated. This can lead to another round of self-medication with similar effects. Ultimately, the dosage may increase in response to the back-and-forth of each symptom’s severity.
Marijuana Abuse and Depression’s Cyclical Relationship
Marijuana is a significant player in self-medication. The accessibility, legal status, and effects of marijuana make it a popular antidote to depression. Just like with any other self-administered drug, though, it is susceptible to the same pitfalls of increasing dosage and symptoms. The health impact of marijuana is generally viewed as negligible, but that’s only true in a vacuum. When paired with depression, marijuana use can worsen depression and severely harm the quality of life.
Additionally, higher doses of marijuana may begin to fail to relax the body and brain. That’s due to how the brain adjusts to habitual drug intake and accommodates a certain amount of marijuana as part of its balanced neurochemistry. (Conversely, removing that drug from the equation is what results in withdrawal.) They may turn to harder drugs with a different legal status and potentially fatal side effects.
Marijuana Addiction Treatment at Footprints Beachside Recovery
Many individuals who use marijuana as a means of dealing with depression are aware of its dysfunctional nature. Trying to quit using marijuana is made even harder by the depression it was used to manage, and failure to quit can be depressing in its own right, too. What those with an unstable reliance on marijuana need most is a dedicated team of professionals.
That’s why, at Footprints Beachside Recovery, we’re ready to provide our best in marijuana addiction treatment. Our Florida facility is designed to suit each individual and structure their treatment around their personal needs. Marijuana abuse and depression are two parts of the same whole. Learn more about how we personalize our plan, as well as our co-occurring disorder treatment program, by calling 727-954-3908 or by reaching us online today.
