Menu
Amplified Life Counseling & Coaching
0
  • About Us
    • Our Therapists
      • Sabreen Polavin, LMSW
      • Katie Reichard, LMSW
      • Nick VanZalen, LPC
      • Aren Lord, LMSW
      • Naomi Grimm, LLPC
      • Nate Apel, LLPC
      • Mike Wiersma, LPC
      • Chris VanStee, LLPC
      • Caitlin Terize, LMSW
      • Susan Labardee, Wellbeing Coach
      • Lyle Labardee, MS, LPC | EAP Consultant
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Community Connections
    • Join Our Team
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Contact Us
  • Insurance Accepted
  • Individuals & Families
    • We Also Offer
      • MindBody Fitness Program
      • Relationship Guidance for Women
      • Gottman Marriage Workshop
    • We Help With
      • Adjustment Disorder
      • Anxiety
      • ASD
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Borderline Personality Disorder
      • Childhood Behavioral Disorders
      • Depression
      • CPTSD
      • Grief & Loss
      • PTSD
      • Relational Distress
      • Situational Stress
      • Substance Use Disorder
      • Eating Disorders
    • We Use
      • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
      • Child Therapy
      • Christian Counseling
      • CISM
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
      • Couples Counseling
      • Dialectical Behavior Therapy
      • Enneagram Assessment
      • EMDR
      • Family Therapy
      • Grief Counseling
      • Internal Family Systems
      • Life Coaching
      • Men's Counseling
      • Solution Focused Therapy
      • Substance Use Counseling
      • Women's Counseling
  • Employers & Organizations
  • Wellbeing Resources
    • Blogs
      • Marriage Matters
      • Child & Youth Guidance
      • Workplace Wellbeing
      • MindBody Fitness
      • Personal Wellbeing
      • Trauma Support
      • Church Security
    • Media
      • InfoVideos
      • MicroTrainings
      • Interactive Media
    • Newsletters
  • Your Cart is Empty
Amplified Life Counseling & Coaching
  • About Us
    • Our Therapists
    • Sabreen Polavin, LMSW
    • Katie Reichard, LMSW
    • Nick VanZalen, LPC
    • Aren Lord, LMSW
    • Naomi Grimm, LLPC
    • Nate Apel, LLPC
    • Mike Wiersma, LPC
    • Chris VanStee, LLPC
    • Caitlin Terize, LMSW
    • Susan Labardee, Wellbeing Coach
    • Lyle Labardee, MS, LPC | EAP Consultant
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Community Connections
    • Join Our Team
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Contact Us
  • Insurance Accepted
  • Individuals & Families
    • We Also Offer
    • MindBody Fitness Program
    • Relationship Guidance for Women
    • Gottman Marriage Workshop
    • We Help With
    • Adjustment Disorder
    • Anxiety
    • ASD
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Borderline Personality Disorder
    • Childhood Behavioral Disorders
    • Depression
    • CPTSD
    • Grief & Loss
    • PTSD
    • Relational Distress
    • Situational Stress
    • Substance Use Disorder
    • Eating Disorders
    • We Use
    • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
    • Child Therapy
    • Christian Counseling
    • CISM
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    • Couples Counseling
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy
    • Enneagram Assessment
    • EMDR
    • Family Therapy
    • Grief Counseling
    • Internal Family Systems
    • Life Coaching
    • Men's Counseling
    • Solution Focused Therapy
    • Substance Use Counseling
    • Women's Counseling
  • Employers & Organizations
  • Wellbeing Resources
    • Blogs
    • Marriage Matters
    • Child & Youth Guidance
    • Workplace Wellbeing
    • MindBody Fitness
    • Personal Wellbeing
    • Trauma Support
    • Church Security
    • Media
    • InfoVideos
    • MicroTrainings
    • Interactive Media
    • Newsletters
  • 0 0

Marijuana Abuse

Marijuana, also known as weed, pot, grass, and Mary Jane, marijuana consists of various parts of the hemp plant known as Cannabis sativa . Within the hemp plant is a mind-altering chemical known as THC. It can be smoked, inhaled with a vaporizer, or mixed into foods or liquids. Mostly used recreationally, marijuana is known to induce a relaxed state.

MEDICINAL BENEFITS

Teens who frequently use marijuana could suffer damage  in  brain  functions,  particularly  with memory, thinking, and learning. The results may be long-term or even permanent.

Marijuana Effects:

  • Short-term Effects - altered senses, increased heart rate, impaired movement, mood changes, memory and problem-solving difficulties.

  • Long-term  Effects  –  depression,  anxiety, suicidal thoughts, breathing problems, paranoia, and hallucinations.

Heavy  marijuana users report lower life satisfaction, poorer mental and physical health, more relationship problems, and less success in life and school.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

The scientific data for marijuana as a treatment for  many  medical  conditions  is  ongoing.  The use of marijuana for some health issues such as chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and glaucoma is being studied. Consideration is also being given to the use of Marijuana to treat many other disorders and diseases.

YOUTH AND MARIJUANA USE

Adolescents and young people who recreationally or habitually use marijuana increase their chances of long-term consequences. Because their brain is still developing, the risk factors are much higher.

 Addiction occurs in roughly 9% of all marijuana users, jumping to 17% in adolescents. Attempting to  quit  can  produce  withdrawal  symptoms of  irritability,  difficult  sleeping,  anxiety,  and decrease in appetite.

While there is currently no medication available to treat a marijuana addiction, there are multiple therapies available. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help users increase their self-control, stop altogether, and address the problems caused by heavy drug use. Motivational enhancement therapy encourages users to create internally motivated changes to counter drug use.

ACTION STEPS

✓ Seek help – Be open with your doctor or counselor  about  your  marijuana  habits. They can help you personalize a plan for change.

✓  Hydrate – Be sure to drink plenty of water. Reduce your caffeine intake until any altered sleep patterns normalize.

✓  Exercise – Physical activity helps alleviate depressive symptoms and promotes good health.  Exercise  also  aids  your  body’s healing process.

✓  Avoid triggers – Places and people that encourage your marijuana use shouldn’t be tolerated. Surround yourself with those who respect your choice to stop using.

✓  Find support – There are a variety of 12- step programs and support groups available to help you on your journey.

KEEP IN MIND

Marijuana addiction, along with any substance use issue, doesn’t need to write your life story. Be courageous and seek help for a healthy, new start on life. There are ample resources available to live an addiction-free life.

Want to talk to a counselor today about this? 

Call us at 800-453-7733 and ask for your “Free 15 Minute Phone Consultation" with one of our licensed counselors. We’ll listen, answer questions you may have, and help you plan next steps.

  • Share:



Amplified Life Counseling
Amplified Life Counseling

Author



Also in LifeBlog

Inner Excellence: Just What the Doctor Ordered

by Lyle Labardee, MS, LPC

Read More

Is Negative News Spiking Your Stress?

by Sarah Sheppard

Read More

Creative Ways to Make Personal Connections

by Sarah Sheppard

Read More

Lyle Labardee, MS, LPC is a licensed behavioral health therapist and former first responder who specializes in first responder wellness. He also serves as CEO of Amplified Life, a leading provider of counseling, coaching, consulting and critical incident response services. Amplified Life stands ready to support you in the very important work you do. Please feel free to contact us at any time as needed by calling or emailing our Care Team at 616-499-4711 | care@amplife.us.

Follow

Historic Counseling Center
7791 Byron Center Ave SW
Byron Center, MI 49315
616-499-4711


South Counseling Center
2465 Byron Station Dr SW
Byron Center, MI 49315
616-499-4711

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • HIPAA-Notice of Privacy Practices

© 2025 Amplified Life Counseling & Coaching.