Addiction Counseling in Westchester, NY, for Marijuana

Millions of Americans use marijuana on a daily basis, but not many people understand just how addictive this drug can become. Often, individuals think using is harmless since it is now legal, but when someone abuses a mood-altering chemical such as this, it can end up causing severe life disruptions. If marijuana is taking control of your life, then contact Stress Free Counseling for addiction counseling in Westchester, NY.

But the risks are real, especially for youth and young adults as well as pregnant or nursing women. Approximately 1 in 10 people who use marijuana will become addicted. When they start before age 18, the addiction rate rises to 1 in 6. Here are just some of the adverse and long-term effects marijuana can have on people:

Brain Health – Marijuana can cause permanent IQ loss of as much as eight points when people start using it at a young age. These IQ points never come back—even after quitting marijuana.

Mental Health – Studies link marijuana use to anxiety, depression, suicide planning, and psychotic episodes. However, it is not known if marijuana use is the cause of these conditions.

Athletic Performance – Research shows that marijuana affects timing, coordination, and movement, which can hinder athletic performance.

Driving – People who drive under the influence of marijuana can experience dangerous effects such as lane weaving, slower reactions, decreased coordination, and difficulty reacting to sounds and signals on the road.

Baby’s Health and Development – Marijuana use during pregnancy may cause premature birth, fetal growth restriction, stillbirth, and problems with brain development, resulting in hyperactivity and poor cognitive function. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other chemicals from marijuana can also be passed from a mother to her baby through breast milk, further impacting the child’s healthy development.

Daily Life – Using marijuana can affect your daily performance. Research shows that people who use marijuana are more likely to have worse educational outcomes, relationship problems, lower career achievement, and reduced life satisfaction.

Symptoms of Marijuana Use & Withdrawal – Marijuana use disorder is the name given when marijuana develops into a problem. Often, when a person uses, they abuse more and more of the drug to get high. Initially, it might have been one joint a day, but now it might be smoking every hour. This is a partial list of symptoms of use and withdrawal:

Stress Free Counseling has treated numerous clients addicted to marijuana and other drugs. In general, it helps to have an experienced clinician who has treated individuals previously and can communicate with them through the process. That is because the addicted person will often minimize, blame, deflect, or deny they have any problem.

While some addicts might think they don’t have a problem simply because a consequence for their actions hasn’t found them yet, it is important for them to understand that it is only a matter of time if they continue down their path. Our counselor utilizes a partnering cognitive behavioral approach to show people how to use their strengths to stop their bad habits and put themselves on the road to recovery. Schedule a free consultation for our addiction treatment services to learn more.

We are proudly offering counseling and therapy in all areas of Westchester County, Putnam County, and Dutchess County, including the following communities—Somers, Yorktown Heights, Bedford, Katonah, Cortlandt Manor, Mohegan Lake, Brewster, Armonk, Bedford Hills, North Salem, Mahopac, Mt. Kisco, Scarsdale, South Salem, White Plains, Poughkeepsie, Wappinger Falls, Carmel, Pleasantville, Peekskill, Croton, Rye, Harrison, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Mamaroneck, Larchmont, Purchase, Chappaqua, Briarcliff Manor, Millwood, Mahopac Falls, Baldwin Place, Hawthorne, Elmsford, Valhalla, Newcastle, Putnam Valley, Philipstown, Kent, and Southeast.