The Leaf THE LEAF Sept-Oct 17 | Page 3

Medical Marijuana Can Help Overcome Methamphetamine Addiction - https://www.medicalmarijuana.com/medical-marijuana-treatments-cannabis-uses/medical-marijuana-can-help-overcome- methamphetamine-addiction/ Unfortunately, detox is no walk in the park. The addict will begin to go through withdrawal, which is something that most drug users fear. The symptoms of meth withdrawal include: irritability, an increase in appetite, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, excessive sleeping, anxiety, depression, sweating, and elevated temperature and strong cravings for the drug. The severity of these symptoms depends on the individual and the severity of his/her level of substance abuse. Medical Marijuana: A Treatment for Meth Addiction? Addiction is defined as a physical and/or psychological dependence and unnatural tolerance to a habit-forming substance. Overcoming any addiction is a challenge. However, overcoming a meth addiction is quite possibly one of the greatest challenges one could face. Because the challenge is so difficult, both mentally and physically, many people are constantly looking for ways to lessen the struggle. One controversial solution is to use medical marijuana to decrease the symptoms caused by withdrawal from methamphetamine. Can Medical Marijuana Be Used to Cure Crystal Methamphetamine Addiction? When a person is addicted to crystal meth, the first thing that a drug treatment program will do is help the individual detox. The detoxing period requires an addict to refrain from using their drug of choice, as well as other harmful substances. This will help the drug user become sober and rid his/her body of the toxins that have accumulated due to their drug use. During withdrawal, many meth users feel no pleasure from normally favoured activities. While the symptoms of meth withdrawal are not as physically sickening as those associated with heroin withdrawal, they are often very mentally and emotionally traumatising. To alleviate many of these symptoms, some medical professionals and drug treatment specialists believe that medical marijuana may be beneficial. There are a number of possible benefits to using medical marijuana to treat crystal meth addiction. One benefit is that many medical professionals have found marijuana to be beneficial when treating both anxiety and depression. Marijuana produces a calming effect for many users. Many medical marijuana users use the substance to relax and unwind. If an individual is finding it difficult to fall asleep or is feeling anxious due to withdrawal from their crystal methamphetamine addiction, medical marijuana may help alleviate these symptoms. Medical marijuana also commonly improves a user's mood. Marijuana can improve an addict's outlook on life and help him/her regain feelings of pleasure.