Key Takeaways:
- Marijuana withdrawal is real and may cause irritability, anxiety, cravings, sleep problems, appetite changes, headaches, nausea, and trouble focusing.
- Symptoms often begin within 1–2 days, peak during the first week, and may improve within a few weeks, though sleep issues can last longer.
- Treatment can help with cravings, relapse prevention, co-occurring mental health concerns, and long-term recovery from marijuana use disorder.
Marijuana is widely known as the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 48 million people, about 18% of Americans, had used marijuana at least once in 2019.
This widespread use is spurred on by a range of factors, from increasing legal tolerance of the drug in a majority of states to a cultural shift that has lessened the adverse stigma that marijuana has relative to more illegal narcotics such as heroin or opioids.
As popular as it is, almost three out of ten marijuana users are liable to develop a use disorder. For regular users of the drug, quitting could be far more difficult than anticipated.
Marijuana withdrawal is real, and many people experience uncomfortable symptoms when they try to stop using cannabis after regular or heavy use. For individuals or families looking for help, it can be useful to know what symptoms may occur, why they happen, and what steps can make the process more manageable.
Midwest Recovery Centers provides support for patients struggling with marijuana use, withdrawal symptoms, and co-occurring mental health concerns through structured treatment near Kansas City, MO.
“Marijuana withdrawal can affect both physical and mental health, especially for individuals who used cannabis heavily or consistently over a long period of time. Common symptoms may include irritability, anxiety, sleep problems, mood swings, restlessness, decreased appetite, and strong cravings. While symptoms are usually not considered medically dangerous for most people, they can still feel very uncomfortable and disruptive during early recovery.”
— Taylor Brown, CRADC
Can You Get Weed Withdrawals?
Yes. Cannabis withdrawal syndrome, an official diagnosis listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), may be experienced by people who stop using cannabis after heavy, long-term use.
For comprehensive information about dealing with marijuana withdrawal, our experts provide detailed guidance on managing symptoms and creating effective coping strategies
What is Marijuana Withdrawal?
Marijuana withdrawal is the physical response felt by marijuana users when they stop using the drug. It’s important to note that not every person who uses marijuana will experience withdrawal. Generally speaking, abruptly stopping after continued and regular use of marijuana, which often can become marijuana use disorder, can cause patients to experience the symptoms of marijuana withdrawal.
Research shows that 47% of people who used marijuana regularly experienced withdrawal symptoms, and the levels of THC in marijuana have been increasing over the past couple of decades, which may make marijuana withdrawal increasingly common.
Cannabis withdrawal syndrome is now officially recognized in the DSM-5. The cannabis withdrawal syndrome can make it more difficult to withdraw from pot, but recovery is achievable.
Anyone is susceptible to marijuana withdrawal after regular use, though preliminary research does show that women may encounter a greater number of weed withdrawal symptoms of higher intensity than men. Additionally, people who begin using marijuana before age 18 are much more likely to develop marijuana use disorder, which, in turn, increases their likelihood of experiencing withdrawal upon quitting.
In a Duke University study consisting of nearly 500 adult marijuana smokers who attempted to quit, 95.5% said they exhibited at least one symptom, while 43.1% had more than one.
Cannabis Use Disorder and Addiction
According to SAMHSA’s 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, marijuana use has continued to rise in the United States. Among people aged 12 or older, 22.3%, or about 64.2 million people, used marijuana in the past year in 2024. During that same year, 7.1%, or about 20.6 million people, had a past-year marijuana use disorder.
These numbers show that marijuana addiction remains a significant public health concern. While many people use cannabis without developing a disorder, a large number experience patterns of use that affect their health, relationships, responsibilities, or ability to stop. Among people with marijuana use disorder in 2024, 54.4% had a mild disorder, 27.9% had a moderate disorder, and 17.7% had a severe disorder.
If you’re wondering whether your cannabis use has become problematic, learning about the signs of marijuana addiction can help you recognize when it’s time to seek help.
Why Does Marijuana Withdrawal Occur?
Marijuana is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant and is composed of different cannabinoids, terpenes, and other elements. The cannabinoid responsible for the mind-altering sensation felt during marijuana use is called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. The more THC in marijuana, the stronger the drug’s effect on the brain.
When someone regularly uses marijuana, they are sending a steady stream of THC to the brain, and the brain becomes dependent on this stream. When that steady stream abruptly ends, the body recognizes the loss and responds with uncomfortable physical and psychological symptoms. In some cases, weed withdrawal symptoms can be so debilitating that people will return to using marijuana because they believe it’s the only way to feel relief.
One factor that may contribute to marijuana use disorder and withdrawal concerns is the rising potency of cannabis products. NIDA’s cannabis potency data shows that the average delta-9 THC level in illegal cannabis samples seized by the DEA increased from 3.96% in 1995 to 16.14% in 2022, which is more than a fourfold increase.
Higher THC levels may increase the risk of uncomfortable side effects, stronger intoxication, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms, especially for newer users or people who are unaware of how potent today’s cannabis products can be. NIDA also notes that cannabis products now vary widely in THC concentration and method of use, which can make it harder for some people to judge how much they are consuming.
What are the Symptoms of Marijuana Withdrawal?
Marijuana withdrawal does not look exactly the same for everyone. Some people mainly notice mood changes, while others struggle more with sleep, appetite, or physical discomfort. Breaking symptoms into categories can make it easier to recognize what is happening and explain it to a treatment provider.
| Withdrawal Category | Common Symptoms | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Mood and emotions |
|
Mood changes can make cravings stronger and increase the risk of returning to use for relief. |
| Sleep changes |
|
Poor sleep can affect energy, focus, patience, and emotional regulation during early recovery. |
| Physical symptoms |
|
Physical discomfort can make withdrawal feel more intense, especially in the first week. |
| Appetite changes |
|
Eating less can worsen fatigue, irritability, and weakness while the body adjusts. |
| Cravings |
|
Cravings often appear around old routines, stress, certain people, or familiar places. |
| Cognitive symptoms |
|
These symptoms can affect work, school, relationships, and confidence in early recovery. |
Seeing symptoms this way can help reduce panic. Marijuana withdrawal can affect mood, sleep, appetite, physical comfort, and daily functioning at the same time.
How Long Does Weed Withdrawal Last?
In most cases, there’s a consistent timeline for marijuana withdrawal. Within the first week of quitting, users can expect to experience peak withdrawal symptoms that impact their mood or physical condition.
Timeline and Duration:
- Days 1–2: Withdrawal symptoms often begin within the first 1–2 days after stopping marijuana use. Early symptoms may include irritability, anxiety, restlessness, changes in appetite, or trouble sleeping.
- Days 2–6: Symptoms often peak between days 2–6. This is when mood changes, cravings, sleep issues, headaches, sweating, stomach discomfort, or physical restlessness may feel strongest.
- Weeks 1–3: For many people, most acute withdrawal symptoms improve within 3 weeks. Physical symptoms typically last up to two weeks, although some emotional symptoms and cravings may continue.
- Sleep issues: Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and strange or vivid dreams, may last 30–45 days after stopping marijuana use.
While these physical symptoms typically last up to two weeks, the psychological symptoms are prone to last longer. Research shows that it can take up to four weeks after discontinuing marijuana use for cannabinoid 1 brain receptors to regain normal functioning. Also, the urge to use marijuana may return long after quitting for people who put themselves in similar situations that they were in while using the drug.
Several factors can affect how long weed withdrawal lasts, including:
- How often someone used marijuana
- How much marijuana they typically used
- How long they have been using
- THC potency and method of use
- Overall physical and mental health
- Co-occurring anxiety, depression, trauma, or substance use
- Sleep habits and daily routine
- Level of support during withdrawal
- Exposure to people, places, or situations connected to marijuana use
How Do You Treat Marijuana Withdrawal?
Many variables are involved with the treatment of marijuana withdrawal, including how long the person has been using the drug and if there are any comorbid disorders (addiction to other substances), which commonly occur.
Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches
Recent systematic reviews have identified effective treatments:
Psychological Interventions: Evidence-based psychotherapies include motivational enhancement treatment (MET), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and contingency management (CM), all of which have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing frequency and quantity of cannabis use.
Age-Specific Treatments: A systematic review found interventions such as contingent rewards and family engagement have shown promise for adolescents, while young adults benefit from technology-based platforms and peer support.
Pharmacological Options
There are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically for the treatment of marijuana use disorder or for the prevention of relapse. However, research has shown potential benefits from nabiximols and dronabinol in managing specific withdrawal symptoms in inpatient treatment settings.
Weed Treatment Near Kansas City, MO
At Midwest Recovery Centers, we provide comprehensive weed treatment near Kansas City, MO, with specialized programs for both substance use disorders and mental health conditions. Our facilities offer evidence-based approaches specifically designed to help individuals overcome cannabis use disorder and manage THC withdrawal.
Our Comprehensive Treatment Programs Include:
Midwest Recovery Centers provides a wide range of behavioral health services for individuals facing substance use, mental health concerns, or co-occurring disorders. Programs are designed to offer structure, clinical support, and personalized care based on each client’s needs.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment
- Medical Detox & Residential Care: First 30 Days
- The substance use disorder track begins with 30 days of medical detox and residential treatment. Detox is medically supervised, and medication-assisted treatment may be used during detox when appropriate. Residential care includes evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, and DBT, along with holistic activities and experiential group therapy.
- Phase 1: About 60 Days
- After the first 30 days, clients may transition into Phase 1 for continued structure, therapy, accountability, and recovery skill-building. Housing is included as part of Phase 1.
- Phase 2: Up to 9 Months, Depending on Need
- Phase 2 offers longer-term support for clients who benefit from continued structure and accountability. This phase may last up to 9 months, depending on the client’s needs. Housing is also included in Phase 2.
Community IOP
Midwest Recovery Centers offers Community IOP, or Intensive Outpatient Program, for people who need structured care without long-term housing-based treatment.
Clients can access Community IOP through two program options:
Community IOP may also include medical oversight and supportive services such as medication management, psychiatric evaluations, TMS, or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, LAI, or Long-Acting Injectables, PGX genetic testing, and telemedicine.
Mental Health Treatment
- Residential Mental Health Program
Midwest Recovery Centers offers a 45-day residential mental health program for primary mental health conditions, not only symptoms connected to substance use. Treatment tracks are tailored to each client’s needs. - Outpatient Mental Health Services
Outpatient mental health services are also available and do not require someone to complete residential treatment first. Clients may enter outpatient care directly based on their needs and clinical recommendations.
Co-Occurring Disorders Support
Midwest Recovery Centers treats clients with both substance use and mental health concerns through a shared treatment model. This allows the team to address addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma, mood concerns, cravings, sleep problems, and other co-occurring needs together rather than separately.
Family Program
Midwest Recovery Centers offers family programming that provides education, counseling, and support for loved ones, recognizing that recovery often affects the entire family system.
The Virtual Substance Use Disorder Family Programming helps families better understand addiction, family dynamics, healthy support, codependency, boundaries, detaching with love, self-care, and what family recovery can look like.
The Virtual Family Program for Mental Health gives families of individuals living with mental illness a supportive space for connection, encouragement, and practical coping tools.
Midwest Recovery Centers also offers In-Person Family Education through “Supporting Their Next Steps: An Aftercare Info Session for Families,” which helps loved ones learn how to support someone as they transition into life after treatment.
Aftercare
Midwest Recovery Centers’ Aftercare program supports long-term sobriety, especially during the first year after treatment. Aftercare helps clients transition from structured care into everyday life through personalized planning, regular counselor check-ins, individual and group therapy, relapse-prevention planning, and community support.
Treatment Outcomes at Midwest Recovery Centers
At Midwest Recovery Centers, progress is tracked through regular check-ins focused on cravings, sleep, mood, substance-use patterns, and risk of return to use, often using tools such as the Brief Addiction Monitor, or BAM. In Midwest Recovery Centers’ 2024–2025 outcomes data, alcohol use, drug use, marijuana use, sedative use, and overall use each showed a 100% reduction while clients were in care. Risk of use decreased by 64%, cravings dropped by about 55%, sleep problems improved by as much as 81%, and mood concerns decreased by 75%. Clients also reported gains in satisfaction with recovery, at about 80%, and spirituality, at about 26%.
For clients in mental health programs, PHQ-9 results showed depression symptoms dropping by 87%, while GAD-7 results showed anxiety symptoms improving by as much as 78%. PTSD symptoms also trended downward across follow-ups using the PCL-5. These outcomes do not promise the same results for everyone, since marijuana withdrawal, cannabis use disorder, mental health symptoms, and recovery needs can vary. Still, the data shows what is possible when care is structured, consistent, and tailored to the patient’s specific needs.
Help for Marijuana Withdrawal Is Within Reach
Marijuana withdrawal can be uncomfortable, especially after heavy or long-term use. Staying hydrated, eating balanced meals, resting, and avoiding sugary or highly processed foods may help reduce discomfort and support mood and energy.
For lasting recovery, treatment should address more than withdrawal symptoms. Inpatient or outpatient care can provide therapy, coping skills, relapse-prevention planning, and support for co-occurring mental health concerns.
Contact Midwest Recovery Centers today to learn more about marijuana addiction treatment near Kansas City, MO, and take the next step toward recovery.
FAQs
Can you get withdrawal symptoms from marijuana?
Yes. Marijuana withdrawal can happen when someone stops using cannabis after regular, heavy, or long-term use. Symptoms may affect mood, sleep, appetite, cravings, and daily functioning.
What are common marijuana withdrawal symptoms?
Common symptoms include irritability, anxiety, depression, restlessness, insomnia, vivid dreams, headaches, nausea, sweating, chills, appetite changes, cravings, brain fog, and low motivation.
How long does marijuana withdrawal last?
Symptoms often begin within 1–2 days after stopping, peak between days 2–6, and improve within 1–3 weeks for many people. Sleep problems and cravings may last longer.
Is marijuana withdrawal dangerous?
Marijuana withdrawal is usually not medically dangerous for most people, but it can feel uncomfortable and disruptive. Professional support may help when symptoms are intense or relapse risk is high.
How is marijuana withdrawal treated?
Treatment may include therapy, relapse-prevention planning, coping skills, support for cravings, mental health care, family support, IOP, residential treatment, or aftercare, depending on each person’s needs.