Key Takeaways:
- People who are depressed and addicted to marijuana often have other mental health issues at the same time. It works best to treat both at the same time (co-occurring disorders).
- Using therapy, motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, and mental health assistance all at once is an effective strategy to help someone who is addicted to marijuana.
- Sleep issues are particularly important: marijuana disrupts sleep architecture, and depressed individuals typically take it to try to address sleeplessness, which makes depression worse.
- It is crucial to treat associated problems like eating disorders since persons who are getting eating disorder treatment typically have substance use disorders as well. These must be checked for in full treatment.
- Integrated or dual-diagnosis programs that treat both depression and addiction at the same time, instead of one at a time, usually lead to better long-term recovery, fewer relapses, and an improved quality of life.
Introduction
For people with depression who are addicted to marijuana, treating substance abuse disorder is a complex but important step. A lot of adults who are addicted to marijuana also have depression, and the two diseases often make each other worse. If one isn’t treated properly, it can make the other worse, which could lead to a cycle of worsened mood, greater substance use, and worse mental health.
Some adults with depression use marijuana to help with their symptoms, like sorrow, anxiety, or difficulties sleeping. But using drugs or alcohol regularly or heavily can make depression worse, impair cognitive function, disrupt sleep, and increase hopelessness. Because of this relationship, any treatment plan must address both the addiction and the depressive disorder to be effective.
How Does Marijuana Addiction Worsen Depression, and Why Is Integrated Treatment Needed?
Adults who are depressed may feel better for a short period after they start smoking marijuana. They may sleep better, feel better, and be less worried. Studies show that heavy or regular marijuana use can cause or make cannabis use disorder worse, which is strongly linked to longer periods of depression. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, cannabis can significantly affect mental health and worsen mood disorders.
Integrated treatment is vital because people who have both depression and substance use disorder need care that works together. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration emphasizes that treating mental health and substance abuse in the same way leads to better outcomes, like reduced drug use, a better mood, and fewer hospital stays.
What Treatment Approaches Work Best?
1. Testing and Evaluation
Any therapy plan must start with a complete assessment. This entails establishing how severe the depression is, how often it happens, how much marijuana is used, and what sleep problems there are. This helps doctors determine the best course of treatment for each patient.
2. Counseling and Therapy
Contingency Management, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are all effective ways to help persons who are addicted to marijuana. These treatments help people figure out what makes them want to use drugs, deal with their cravings, come up with ways to cope with problems, and change the negative thought patterns that lead to both depression and addiction.
3. Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders
Programs that treat depression and addiction simultaneously work better than those that treat both separately. This type of treatment is frequently dubbed “dual-diagnosis” or “co-occurring disorders.” Some of these techniques are integrating mental health and substance misuse services, sharing treatment plans, and maybe even combining therapy for substance abuse with medicine for depression.
4. Addressing Sleep Issues — The Effect of Marijuana on Your Sleep
Some people might be able to fall asleep faster in the short term with marijuana, but consuming it long term can disrupt REM sleep, cause frequent awakenings, reduce restorative sleep, and worsen insomnia. Not getting enough sleep makes depression worse, intensifies cravings, impairs mood regulation, and increases relapse likelihood. According to the CDC, sleep disturbances are a common outcome of cannabis use. To work, treatment needs to include sleep hygiene, therapy for sleep, and monitoring of sleep issues as part of recovery.
5. Considering Eating Disorders in Treatment
People who have eating disorders often also have mental illness or addiction. Adults who are depressed and using drugs may also require eating disorder treatment, such as binge eating support, restrictive eating guidance, or assistance with unhealthy dietary habits. Treatment programs should search for eating disorders and incorporate medical, psychological, and nutritional help when needed. Neglecting this can make recovery take longer.
6. Support Systems, Aftercare & Relapse Prevention
Family therapy, peer support groups, relapse prevention planning, and long-term follow-up are all essential. Getting healthier doesn’t only mean quitting drugs. It also includes learning how to deal with triggers in real life, reconnecting with values and life objectives, and learning how to manage stress in healthy ways.
What kinds of programs are available?
- Outpatient programs: Therapy sessions, group counseling, and sometimes medication are all part of outpatient programs. They are helpful for people who can maintain their regular lives while getting help.
- Intensive outpatient or day treatment: More sessions; this can be the best option if addiction or depression is severe.
- Residential or inpatient treatment: For people whose depression or substance use is so severe that it puts their safety or daily life at risk.
Integrated care can also be beneficial in Depression Treatment Programs that include therapy for drug dependence.
Conclusion
Adults who are addicted to marijuana and depressed require care that is research-based, compassionate, and integrated. Substance abuse disorder treatment that deals with both disorders and related concerns, including sleep problems and eating disorders, is the only way to achieve true recovery. If this all-encompassing strategy is not adopted, the underlying depressive symptoms may persist, relapse becomes more likely, and quality of life remains low.
Contact Virtue Recovery Las Vegas at 866.520.2861 to start your recovery journey today.
FAQs:
Does smoking weed make you sad, or does being sad make you want to smoke weed?
It’s a two-way street: depression can make someone use marijuana to escape symptoms, and smoking marijuana too much and too often can worsen mood, disrupt neurochemistry, and cause or exacerbate depression.
What is cannabis use disorder, and how terrible can it be for adults?
It is a condition in which people use marijuana despite negative effects, such as cravings, failed attempts to quit, neglected duties, and withdrawal symptoms. The severity ranges from mild to severe, depending on diagnostic criteria.
Why is it vital to look for eating disorders when treating depression and drug addiction?
Eating disorders often occur alongside substance use disorders and depression. They complicate diet management, mood regulation, and self-image, making recovery harder and relapse more likely. That’s why incorporating eating disorder treatment into care is vital.
Citations:
National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Cannabis (Marijuana).” NIDA, www.nida.nih.gov/research-topics/cannabis-marijuana/ .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Understanding Your Risk for Cannabis Use Disorder.” CDC, www.cdc.gov/cannabis/health-effects/cannabis-use-disorder.html.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) KIT. SAMHSA, www.samhsa.gov/resource/ebp/integrated-treatment-co-occurring-disorders-evidence-based-practices-ebp-kit.
