One of several myths about marijuana is that it helps people cope with stress. Many clients entering treatment are terrified that they will never be able to cope with the stresses and strains of life without their daily toke, yet the irony of the situation is that often it is the drug itself that is impairing their ability to cope in the first place.
As our resident expert on stress, Elizabeth Scott, explains, we all deal with stress on a daily basis. And we all have an innate ability to cope with stress. It is only when the stresses of life build up beyond our capacity to cope that problems arise.
And marijuana addiction is stressful. While many tokers deny that the condition even exists, the reality is that the American Psychiatric Association have a category for it in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual or Mental Disorders -- also known as DSM-IV. Add to that the secretive lifestyle required to constantly dodge drug laws while making illicit purchases of the drug, and you have a recipe for anxiety.
Anxiety is often an effect of marijuana, either during intoxication, or as a rebound effect. And, like other drugs, it is a costly and ineffective sleep aid.
So if you are struggling with anxiety, and you are using marijuana to try and cope, think about giving it a rest for a few weeks -- marijuana is the slowest drug to leave the body, as it is stored in the fat cells of the body. You may suffer from an increase in irritability during the initial withdrawal period, but if it is the only drug you've been using, you are unlikely to need detox.
Talk to your doctor if your anxiety remains, or if you are unable to cope with quitting on your own. You may have a pre-existing or cannabis-induced anxiety disorder. Be sure to inform them about any drugs you have taken, including marijuana.
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