Los Angeles Sober Living
Marijuana is medically-legal since 1996 in California. In 2016, the state passed Proposition 64 which legalized marijuana for recreational use. This law has given individual cities to decide on how to regulate both recreational and medical marijuana. In Los Angeles, recreational marijuana is legal. People can purchase it even if it comes at a high cost due to added taxes. There are about 1700 retail stores and dispensaries all over this city that sells marijuana.
Since it’s easily accessible, many have become addicted to it due to the pleasurable feeling it provides. This substance has many side-effects. Patients who try to quit using it experience withdrawal symptoms.
Marijuana and Usage
Marijuana came from the shredded leaves, stem and flower buds ofCannabis indicaor sativa plant. It contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a mind-altering chemical. The average THC content of marijuana has increased to 13 percent in 2010 compared to 3-4 percent in the 1990s.
It can be smoked, eaten, vaporized, brewed or taken topically. But, it is most commonly smoked. People smoked it in hand-rolled cigarettes, pipes or water pipes. They sometimes put it in an emptied cigar that has been partially or completely filled with marijuana. Those who avoid inhaling the smoke use a vaporizer to inhale the vapor instead. Also, it is sometimes mixed with food like brownies, cookies, candies or in tea.
Negative Impacts of Marijuana
When smoked, the active component – THC — passes to the lungs into the bloodstream. It is then sent to the brain and other parts of the body. When it is eaten or drunk, it is absorbed slowly. It takes about 30 minute to 1 hour before its effect can be felt.
Marijuana stimulates the brain to release dopamine, a chemical that is attributed to the pleasurable feeling or the “high”. People who are addicted to it may need to take in more and more to get the same high. It brings about altered senses meaning some report seeing bright colors. Others have an altered sense of time, change in mood and difficulty with thinking and problem solving. Some also experience hallucinations, delusions and psychosis when taken at high amounts regularly.
With long-term use, brain development is affected. People who use it at a younger age experience impaired thinking, difficulty in learning and recall. Its usage has been linked with other mental disorders like depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts among teens. Those who try to quit experience mild withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, decreased appetite, sleeplessness and grouchiness.
Treatment Options and Recovery
Those who are seeking treatment for marijuana use disorders usually have used it nearly every day up to more than 10 years. They may have attempted to quit more than six times already. These patients may be suffering from mental disorders and may have also used cocaine or alcohol. To effectively treat this disorder, a standard treatment can be used which is a combination of medication and behavioral therapies. These may help reduce their usage. But, there is no approved medication yet to treat this disorder. There is on-going research on the use of drugs to improve sleep of patients like the use of sleep aid zolpidem and buspirone (anti-anxiety/stress medication), and gabapentin (anti-epileptic drug). For behavioral treatment, cognitive- behavioral therapy, contingency management and motivational therapy are promising methods. Joining the 12-step program is helpful to attain long-term sobriety.
During the initial stages of recovery, patients can visit our facility to attain a sober living. Our clients will be given the ability to socialize with other men who are going through the same experience. We foster a community that helps each other stay accountable to achieve sobriety.
Our sober living is located in Redondo Beach, which offers shared and private rooms for guests. We provide essentials for day to day living, internet, cable, and smart TVs throughout the home. We also have a recreation room at our sober living where clients can play pool. A work station with a computer and printer are available in the second living room.
Clients are provided with a safe, communal environment while they reintegrate themselves into their lives. Nonno Recovery California Sober Living in Los Angelesis a beautiful place to begin your life of recovery.
Visit Nonno Recovery California Sober Living at 2716 Vanderbilt Ln, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 or call 310-807-1550 for more details.