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Jan 10, 2022 · Cannabis withdrawal severity can be evaluated by a clinical examination of the number and intensity of DSM‐5 or ICD‐11 cannabis withdrawal features and by administering standardized measures of cannabis withdrawal.
- 10.1111/add.15743
- 2022/07
- Addiction. 2022 Jul; 117(7): 2075-2095.
- Overview
- Causes
- Symptoms
- Marijuana Withdrawal Timeline
- How to Prevent Marijuana Withdrawal
- Coping With Cannabis Withdrawal
- When to Seek Help for Marijuana Withdrawal
- Treatment for Cannabis Withdrawal
- Support for Quitting Marijuana
- Keep in Mind
Whatever name you give it—cannabis, weed, pot, etc—marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug and you probably know someone who partakes. It feels dated to even call it an illicit drug but despite some form of legalization in 24 states, it is still outlawed at a federal level.
But even though more and more people are using marijuana and it is less addictive than other drugs, users aren't exempt from the symptoms of withdrawal.
Recent research has shown that weed withdrawal symptoms can and do occur when regular, long-term users discontinue its use. As a result, diagnostic criteria for cannabis withdrawal are included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
Furthermore, as John C. Umhau explains, "The increased potency of cannabis over the years has caused more people to have significant withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit."
After smoking pot heavily for a few months or longer—whether as a regular pattern, in binges, or due to addiction—you may experience withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopping its use.
A Duke University study found that 95.5% of 496 adult marijuana smokers who tried to quit experienced at least one withdrawal symptom, with 43.1% experiencing two symptoms or more. The number of symptoms experienced by participants was significantly linked to how often and how much marijuana they smoked.
Cravings
Many former users report having drug cravings in the early days of quitting cannabis. In one study, 75.7% of participants reported an intense craving for marijuana when trying to quit. These cravings can vary from person to person but tend to include a persistent desire to use the substance. Although regular marijuana smokers may not believe that they're addicted to the drug, experiencing cravings is a hallmark of addiction. This is true whether the addiction is to other substances such as heroin or alcohol, or activities like gambling, shopping, or sex.
Irritability
Feeling irritable is another common symptom of marijuana withdrawal. More than half of those trying to stop cannabis use report experiencing mood swings, irritability, or anxiety. Others report feelings of aggression, nervousness, restlessness, and a loss of concentration. The irritability experienced during cannabis withdrawal can range from being a mild and relatively easy-to-control annoyance to feeling more like excessive anger and even aggression. If it lasts for more than a week, seek support from a healthcare provider, substance abuse counselor, or psychologist as this symptom may be part of another issue that was masked by cannabis use.
Anxiety
Anxiety can be a sign of cannabis intoxication, but it is also a symptom of cannabis withdrawal. It can be worrying when anxiety continues or worsens after you quit. As with irritability, it can be helpful to remember that your worries and fears are common weed withdrawal symptoms. If you continue to feel anxious after a week of discontinuing use, seek professional help. Cannabis use can sometimes cause a substance-induced anxiety disorder. Another consideration is that there may have been an existing anxiety issue before you started using cannabis. Effects and Risks of Using THC for Anxiety
Many of these weed withdrawal symptoms occur within 24 to 72 hours of stopping heavy use. Although, some users experience them a bit longer, feeling symptoms for one to two weeks. Physical weed withdrawal symptoms tend to be less intense, peak sooner, and fade more quickly than psychological symptoms.
"Cannabis metabolites accumulate in body fat and can take weeks to leach out of the body, so some effects of withdrawal may last a long time," says Umhau.
If any of your symptoms are bothersome or seem to be lingering, seek professional treatment. A healthcare provider or mental health professional can help determine the symptom's root cause and provide options for easing its effects.
What Do Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms Feel Like?
If a concern of having marijuana withdrawal symptoms is stopping you or someone you know from quitting its use, there are a few things you can do to help prevent these effects. One study found that a combination treatment helped decrease cannabis use without increasing withdrawal, with treatment consisting of:
•Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
•Motivational enhancement therapy
•Sativex, which is a drug that contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)
Making a few healthy lifestyle changes and employing some coping strategies can help you get through marijuana withdrawal. Options to try include:
•Stay physically active to help ease bodily tension.
•Let friends and family members know when you need support or space.
•Avoid situations that you find anxiety-provoking (such as loud, crowded parties).
•Practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation.
•Establish sleep rituals and avoid caffeine too close to bedtime.
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening. Their main danger is causing relapse in someone who really wants (or needs) to quit cannabis, with one study finding that 70.4% of users trying to quit smoking marijuana relapsed to relieve the withdrawal symptoms.
Just as people who are trying to quit drinking may pick up a drink to relieve the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, marijuana users may be tempted to light up a joint to relieve the discomfort they experience when trying to stop smoking pot.
There are also no life-or-death dangers in quitting marijuana cold turkey or detoxing on your own. That said, consulting a medical professional can help you better manage the physical and psychological symptoms of weed withdrawal and prevent relapse.
It is also very important to be properly assessed by a mental health professional if you experience extended paranoia—especially if you have hallucinations or delusions. Ideally, this professional should have expertise in substance issues, such as an American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM)-certified physician or a psychiatrist.
In many cases, the symptoms of weed withdrawal will dissipate with time and can be treated without medical attention. However, if your symptoms last for more than a couple of weeks, you should see your healthcare provider or mental health professional.
Be sure to tell them that marijuana withdrawal is playing a role in how you are feeling. If you say you are depressed or anxious without mentioning you're going through weed withdrawal, you may be prescribed medication that can present its own set of dependence issues.
Fortunately, many non-addictive pharmacologic options exist for anxiety, as well as non-drug treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Best Drug Addiction Treatment Centers
If you have decided to quit smoking weed after regular use, chances are you will experience some kind of withdrawal symptoms. Depending on how much and how often you have been smoking, these symptoms could become intense enough to drive you to relapse to find relief.
But you don't have to do it on your own. Seek help from your healthcare provider to deal with the physical symptoms of withdrawal or seek help from a support group like Marijuana Anonymous to help you better handle the psychological symptoms.
Experiencing weed withdrawal symptoms can be unpleasant. While withdrawing from marijuana use can present challenges, remember that what you are going through will pass. Be patient. Making life changes is always challenging, but with the right support, they can be transformative.
11 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
1.Bonnet U, Preuss UW. The cannabis withdrawal syndrome: current insights. Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2017;8:9-37. doi:10.2147/SAR.S109576
2.Levin KH, Copersino ML, Heishman SJ, et. al. Cannabis withdrawal symptoms in non-treatment-seeking adult cannabis smokers. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2010; 111(1-2): 120–127. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.04.010.
3.Weinstein AM, Gorelick DA. Pharmacological treatment of cannabis dependence. Curr Pharm Des. 2011;17(14):1351-8.
Oct 4, 2024 · How long cannabis withdrawal lasts and the severity of it is associated with the amount of marijuana (THC) you consumed before stopping. Both the length and severity can vary considerably. Symptoms can last for up to two weeks.
Jan 19, 2024 · Within 1-2 days, the onset of most symptoms of withdrawal usually begins. Within 2-6 days, symptoms peak in severity. Within 3 weeks, most acute symptoms resolve. Some studies indicate that certain psychological symptoms of withdrawal may last for up to 5 weeks after quitting marijuana use. 11.
Nov 17, 2021 · Cannabis withdrawal severity can be evaluated by a clinical examination of the number and intensity of DSM-5 or ICD-11 cannabis withdrawal features and by administering standardized measures of cannabis withdrawal.
Oct 1, 2023 · 24-72 Hours: The first symptoms typically begin within a day to three days after cessation. This period often sees the most intense symptoms, like irritability, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. 1-2 Weeks: Over the first week, most of the acute physical symptoms will begin to fade.
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Feb 10, 2021 · The six subject areas that were most frequently reported in the medical literature relevant to cannabis-related ED care were acute intoxication/overdose, pediatric exposure, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, cannabis withdrawal, e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), and synthetic cannabinoids. Conclusion.
