How to Detox from marijuana Safely from Home

Detoxing from marijuana at home is generally safe, but it is harder to do without help. This often leads to relapse. Getting professional help will be beneficial for those attempting a marijuana detox.

People attempt to detox from marijuana at home for a variety of reasons, but it can provide significant challenges. While marijuana detox is not deadly – except for very rare situations – it is still uncomfortable and can be quite difficult. Most people can detox from marijuana at home safely, but the likelihood of successfully detoxing and staying clean is low for those who attempt it by themselves.

What Does the Marijuana Detox Process Look Like?

Detoxing from marijuana rarely causes any symptoms that could be life-threatening. Commonly experienced symptoms of marijuana withdrawal include:

• Decreased appetite
• Irritability
• Difficulty sleeping
• Headaches
• Mood changes
• Difficulty focusing
• Cravings for marijuana
• Sweats and chills
• Depression
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Restlessness

The symptoms that are experienced will vary based on the individual and how much marijuana was used. These symptoms are also quite unpredictable. It is normally impossible to tell what symptoms someone will experience until they are detoxing.

How Long Does THC Detox Approximately Take?

While marijuana withdrawal symptoms may not be as dangerous as some other substances, they do last longer than most drugs. The worst marijuana withdrawal symptoms often last up to two weeks, depending on how long and how frequently marijuana was used. Psychological symptoms may last for even longer than this. The length of time that withdrawal symptoms can last may be why some people end up not finishing their detox process.

The Dos & Don’ts of Marijuana Detox at Home

When detoxing from marijuana, these tips can help you have as comfortable and successful a detox as possible:

• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary or caffeinated drinks can help you stay hydrated, promoting optimal conditions for detox.
• Eat healthy foods: Avoid processed foods and foods that are high in sugar. These will make you feel worse during your detox. Eating healthy foods, like vegetables, fruits and natural foods, will help your body as it adjusts to the absence of marijuana.
• Exercise daily: Daily exercise will help your mood and boost endorphins at a time that will be more stressful on your body and mind. This can help with some of the mood-related aspects of withdrawal.
• Fill your time: Spare time can be your enemy during detox. Having nothing to occupy your mind can make cravings worse and make you more likely to relapse. Occupying your time with activities can reduce some of the psychological difficulties of detox.
• Seek support: It can be tempting to detox completely alone. This may be especially tempting for people that feel embarrassed by their marijuana use. Seeking the support and help of someone you trust can make a significant difference during detox.

Risks of Detoxing at Home

Trying to detox from marijuana at home is not really dangerous in most situations, but it’s less likely to be successful. The resources and support that professional detox centers offer make detox more comfortable and offer the help needed to stop using marijuana entirely. Many people who detox at home do not have a long-term plan or strategy for not using marijuana in the future. Often, the underlying reasons that caused them to use marijuana initially will cause them to relapse.

When should you seek professional detox services?

In an ideal world, everyone looking to detox from marijuana would have the time and resources needed to access help from a professional detox service. While these services are ideal for anyone trying to detox from marijuana, some people will need these services more than most. These include:

• Those who have detoxed before and relapsed: If you have tried to detox from marijuana before and relapsed, odds are it will happen again. Enrolling in a professional detox center will help you avoid the situations that previously caused you to relapse.
• Those who use multiple substances: Marijuana detox is one thing, but trying to detox from alcohol, opioids or other substances at the same time is completely different. If you are using any other potentially addictive substances, medical detox may be necessary to stay healthy and avoid potentially life-threatening complications.
• Those with a mental health history: A mental health diagnosis complicates withdrawal significantly. Detox can worsen underlying mental health problems, and these problems will need treatment during the detox program. This makes professional detox help very important for these individuals.
• Those who have significant medical problems: While the stress that marijuana detox creates for the body is not normally dangerous, those who have significant medical problems may be more at risk during detox. If this applies to you, you should consider medical detox.

Resources for People Wanting to Detox from THC at Home

For several years, there were not many good resources for those wanting to undergo the process of detoxing from marijuana at home. This has changed in recent years with the increased availability of teletherapy and other remote options. Teletherapy lets you work with a specialized therapist remotely from the comfort of your home. This professional support connects you to therapy and education that can play an important role in the detox process. 

If you or a loved one want to detox from marijuana at home, The Recovery Village can help. The Nobu teletherapy app can give you the tools and professional support you need to make long-term recovery possible. Our state-of-the-art treatment facilities also offer marijuana detox and therapy if you’d prefer in-person support, are using multiple substances or have co-occurring mental health or medical needs. Contact us today to discuss treatment options that can work well for your situation.

Editor – Melissa Carmona

Melissa Carmona puts years of writing and editing experience to work helping people understand substance abuse, addiction and mental health disorders. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Benjamin Caleb Williams, RN

Benjamin Caleb Williams is a board-certified Emergency Nurse with several years of clinical experience, including supervisory roles within the ICU and ER settings. Read more