Marijuana, also known as cannabis or pot, is one of the most popular substances in the US. The drug has a reputation for being harmless, but it can still cause severe consequences to users. The long-term effects of cannabis do not appear until a couple of years later. Users consume the drug in various ways, including smoking it in water pipes (bongs) or cigar wrappers (joints). Others prefer mixing it into a variety of edible candies and baked goods. Vaping devices are common among teens and young adults. Once ingested, users experience the effects almost instantly. The results can last between one and three hours. Fortunately, teenagers can recover from the danger through teen drug abuse treatment at rehab programs like Foothills at Red Oak Recovery. To learn more about marijuana addiction treatment, contact Foothills at Red Oak today at 866.300.5275.
Dangers of Marijuana Use
Marijuana is a substance that is highly controversial. Some states have legalized the medical and recreational use of this drug, while other states continue to penalize its use. Experts continue to study the drug to determine the long-term health impacts of its use. However, regardless of the debates surrounding this drug, some research suggests that it can be hazardous for teens to use this drug.
1. Harms the Brain and Heart
Marijuana has delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as its active ingredient. THC alters the working of cannabinoid receptors by affecting the activities of the nerve cells. The number of cannabinoid receptors varies in different parts of the brain as some ts contain many, whereas others have none.
The majority of cannabinoid receptors are in the brain regions responsible for regulating pleasure, concentration, memory, thought, and body movement.
As such, users experience a wide range of effects, including:
- Disorientation
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Impaired memory
- A drop in blood pressure
- A decline in the intelligence quotient (IQ)
A few minutes after users consume the substance, the heartbeat increases while the blood pressure drops. Experts observe that cannabis users are highly likely to experience a heart attack than non-users due to this fact.
2. Affects Bone Health and Increases Vulnerability to Cancer
Excessive consumption of large volumes of cannabis reduces an individual’s bone density, increasing vulnerability to fractures. The University of Edinburgh, through DEXA-scan x-rays, established that heavy consumers exhibited low body weight and body mass index, increasing the dangers of marijuana on bone density.
Heavy cannabis users are those who smoke the substance over 5,000 times in a lifetime. Chronic users of cannabis are more vulnerable to cancer than their non-smoking counterparts. The high tar content found in the substance is the reason for its high risk of lung cancer.
Although many studies are currently underway, researchers believe there is a close connection between smoking pot and lung cancer.
3. Can Lead to Marijuana Poisoning
Despite the claims that marijuana use is harmless, if your teen begins eating edibles, they may be at risk for marijuana poisoning. Many edibles require between 30 minutes and two hours to take effect. As a result, some teens may eat too much, which may lead to poisoning. It can also be dangerous if your teen combines marijuana and alcohol or other drugs.
Minimize the Dangers of Marijuana Use in Rehab
The primary method of preventing the dangers of marijuana is to quit. Once your teenager develops a dependency, it is not easy to quit the habit because of the associated withdrawal effects.
However, you can overcome the condition at rehab. Such facilities can help you make a difference in your path to recovery through several therapies and addiction treatment programs, including:
- Substance abuse treatment program
- Experiential therapy program
- A co-occurring issues treatment program
- Psychological testing
- A disordered eating treatment program
- Process addiction treatment program
- Trauma treatment program
With the help of the treatment options available at our adolescent treatment center, many teens are able to overcome their addictions to marijuana and other substances.
Contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery for Teen Addiction Treatment
Marijuana can have a lasting impact on the lives of many teens long after they’ve stopped using the substance. As a result, among the treatment options available at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, we offer treatment for marijuana use disorder. We utilize a range of holistic and evidence-based treatment programs. Our therapeutic options include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Experiential therapy
- Equine-assisted therapy
- Family therapy
If you have a teen struggling with a marijuana use disorder, and you want to help your loved one embark on the path towards permanent recovery, reach out to our therapist. We can offer a variety of rehab programs and therapies tailored to meet your unique needs. Contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today at 866.300.5275 to get your teenager started with mental health treatment.
