Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Cannabis is theplant genusthat produces marijuana, which refers to the dried leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers from the plants. It is the most used addictive drug after tobacco and alcohol.
Marijuana has both short-term and long-term effects on the brain and can lead to a substance use disorder. Some people who use marijuana for a long time and try to stop experience symptoms of withdrawal. Read more about marijuana and cannabis withdrawal in this overview.
Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images
Cannabisis the most generic term and is typically used when discussing the compounds derived from the plant, including those in marijuana. In this article, the term cannabis will be used when discussing anything related to the substances from the plants.
In general, withdrawal from a substance is typically associated with asubstance use disorder, which is the case with cannabis. When experiencing withdrawal, many people have the urge to use the substance again to decrease the symptoms they are experiencing.
Prevalence of Cannabis WithdrawalThe prevalence of cannabis withdrawal syndrome has been difficult to determine, ranging from approximately 11% to almost 95% of those using cannabis. A recent study showed that it is common in those who regularly or dependently use cannabis, at about 47%.
Prevalence of Cannabis Withdrawal
The prevalence of cannabis withdrawal syndrome has been difficult to determine, ranging from approximately 11% to almost 95% of those using cannabis. A recent study showed that it is common in those who regularly or dependently use cannabis, at about 47%.
Cannabis withdrawal can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:
The symptoms of cannabis withdrawal may start as soon as the first 24 hours after the last use of cannabis, peaking during the first week, and lasting up to one month.
Usually, cannabis withdrawal syndrome is not as severe as alcohol or opioid withdrawal, but it still can cause significant distress and make quitting difficult, as well as lead to relapse.The severity of withdrawal symptoms can relate to the amount and potency of cannabis used, gender, and other environmental and genetic factors.
Using cannabis can lead to someone developing a substance use disorder. The diagnosis of substance use disorder is given when an individual continues to regularly use substances despite negative consequences.
Studies have shown that somewhere between 9% and 30% of people using cannabis may develop some form of a cannabis use disorder. If an adolescent or youth starts using it before the age of 18, they are four to seven times more likely than adults to develop a cannabis use disorder.
Cannabis Use Disorder and Withdrawal
Research has shown an association between chronic use of cannabis and changes in specific receptors in the brain, called cannabinoid-1 receptors (CB-1). These changes are associated with cannabis withdrawal symptoms.
What the Research Says About Marijuana Being a Gateway Drug
The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for cannabis withdrawal include:
The signs and symptoms must be causing significant distress or impairing the ability to function in life, whether socially, at work, personal relationships, etc.
If someone is concerned about themselves or a loved one having cannabis use disorder and/or withdrawal, it is important to tell their doctor or mental health professional. They will perform a thorough history, asking questions about cannabis use and any effects it may have had both while using it and stopping. They may also refer you or your loved one to apsychiatristor addiction medicine specialist, who has further training in the diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders.
While symptoms may not be severe enough to need medical attention, medication or behavioral strategies may help the symptoms and improve the likelihood of quitting cannabis in those trying to achieve this.
Cannabis withdrawal is serious because it can cause symptoms that affect daily functioning, as well as lead to continued use due to relapse.
Research has shown that adults who have sought treatment for cannabis use disorders have roughly used cannabis almost daily for more than 10 years and tried to quit more than six times.
Studies have shown that treating a patient’s co-morbid psychiatric disorders with standard treatments, like therapy and medication, may lead to a decrease in cannabis use, especially those who are heavy users.
Behavioral Interventions
Some behavioral treatments have shown promise in treating cannabis use disorder, including:
What Is Talk Therapy?
Medications
There are also two other psychiatric medications that may decrease certain symptoms of cannabis withdrawal, the antipsychotic Seroquel (quetiapine) and antidepressant Remeron (mirtazapine).
Another agent being studied isN-acetylcysteine, a nutritional supplement.
A Word from Verywell
Cannabis is a commonly used substance and is the most widely used drug after tobacco and alcohol. It can cause both short- and long-term effects and potentially lead to addiction, making it hard for someone to quit. If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms and trying to stop the usage of cannabis, reach out to your healthcare provider or mental health professional. They will be able to provide support and resources, as well as potential treatment options.
Pros and Cons of Medical Marijuana
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Marijuana drugfacts.Brezing CA, Levin FR.The current state of pharmacological treatments for cannabis use disorder and withdrawal.Neuropsychopharmacol. 2018;43(1):173-194. doi:10.1038/npp.2017.212American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Bahji A, Stephenson C, Tyo R, Hawken ER, Seitz DP.Prevalence of cannabis withdrawal symptoms among people with regular or dependent use of cannabinoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA Netw Open.2020;3(4):e202370. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.2370Bonnet U, Preuss UW.The cannabis withdrawal syndrome: current insights.SAR. 2017;8:9-37. doi:10.2147/SAR.S109576National Institute on Drug Abuse.Available treatments for marijuana use disorders.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Marijuana drugfacts.Brezing CA, Levin FR.The current state of pharmacological treatments for cannabis use disorder and withdrawal.Neuropsychopharmacol. 2018;43(1):173-194. doi:10.1038/npp.2017.212American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Bahji A, Stephenson C, Tyo R, Hawken ER, Seitz DP.Prevalence of cannabis withdrawal symptoms among people with regular or dependent use of cannabinoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA Netw Open.2020;3(4):e202370. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.2370Bonnet U, Preuss UW.The cannabis withdrawal syndrome: current insights.SAR. 2017;8:9-37. doi:10.2147/SAR.S109576National Institute on Drug Abuse.Available treatments for marijuana use disorders.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Marijuana drugfacts.Brezing CA, Levin FR.The current state of pharmacological treatments for cannabis use disorder and withdrawal.Neuropsychopharmacol. 2018;43(1):173-194. doi:10.1038/npp.2017.212American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Bahji A, Stephenson C, Tyo R, Hawken ER, Seitz DP.Prevalence of cannabis withdrawal symptoms among people with regular or dependent use of cannabinoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA Netw Open.2020;3(4):e202370. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.2370Bonnet U, Preuss UW.The cannabis withdrawal syndrome: current insights.SAR. 2017;8:9-37. doi:10.2147/SAR.S109576National Institute on Drug Abuse.Available treatments for marijuana use disorders.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Marijuana drugfacts.
Brezing CA, Levin FR.The current state of pharmacological treatments for cannabis use disorder and withdrawal.Neuropsychopharmacol. 2018;43(1):173-194. doi:10.1038/npp.2017.212
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
Bahji A, Stephenson C, Tyo R, Hawken ER, Seitz DP.Prevalence of cannabis withdrawal symptoms among people with regular or dependent use of cannabinoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA Netw Open.2020;3(4):e202370. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.2370
Bonnet U, Preuss UW.The cannabis withdrawal syndrome: current insights.SAR. 2017;8:9-37. doi:10.2147/SAR.S109576
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Available treatments for marijuana use disorders.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
