7 Tips for a Successful Marijuana Detox

Many people believe that marijuana isn’t addictive, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 9 percent of those who use pot will become addicted to it, including 25 to 50 percent of those who smoke daily. About 4.2 of the 6.9 million Americans who abused illegal substances in 2013 also used marijuana.

Marijuana Detox Process

Although the withdrawal symptoms from marijuana aren’t as severe as with opioids or benzodiazepines, they are certainly present and can make the initial stages of quitting difficult.

Here are 7 tips meant to help you have a successful marijuana detox:

Understand Why You’re Detoxing Do you find that you’re unable to stop smoking pot? Do you turn to it when you’re feeling stressed or upset? Has excess pot smoking led to weight gain through the “munchies?” Whatever your reasons are for no longer wanting to smoke pot, write them down and refer to that list when the detox process becomes difficult.

Eat Well Ditch the alcohol and sugar for a diet of lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. High-fiber and high-water content foods like cucumber, broccoli and beets help in flushing toxins out of your body more quickly as well.

Exercise People who are detoxing often find they have more energy after a few days, but don’t always have an outlet for it. Not only can exercise can give you a place to channel it, but it also helps with flushing marijuana out of your system. As you start to burn fat, the THC stored in your body will move into your bloodstream and eventually out of your system.

Stay Hydrated Drinking lots of water is essential because THC is released from the body through urine and sweat. Certain liquids can even speed up this process further. Try mixing lemon and cinnamon into hot water, or steep cucumber and ginger into your water that you carry around throughout the day.

Take Supplements There’s a reason that pot smokers often use Niacin in an attempt to crash detox before a drug test. Niacin, more commonly known as Vitamin B3, allows toxins to be eliminated more quickly by causing blood capillaries to dilate and triggering the production of histamines. Just one tablet a day before hitting the gym can go a long way.

Find a Detox Buddy If you can’t find someone who is also quitting marijuana, rely on a close friend or two who can help you stay accountable. If necessary, a therapist or other health care professional can be immensely helpful for this.

Go Easy On Yourself The urge to smoke pot will not go away overnight. Certain people or environments may trigger the urge to use. And now that you’re being forced to regulate your emotions without the help of marijuana, certain things may come up that you’ve been able to avoid for months or even years. Just accept that this is part of the process and will eventually pass if you continue to remain abstinent from smoking pot.

Does Your Insurance Cover Marijuana Detox?

Insurance coverage for marijuana detox can vary depending on your provider, plan, and the level of care needed. Some plans may cover detox services fully or partially, while others may require copays or out-of-pocket costs. To explore your options, use our search tool to find rehabs near you and filter by insurance provider and treatment type. Many addiction treatment programs accept insurance and can help verify your benefits so you understand what services are covered. Confirming your coverage early can make it easier to plan for care.