Expert Marijuana and Anxiety Treatment for professionals
Marijuana Anxiety
Table of Contents
Gabe Lau, PhD, PE
Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Gabe Lau is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Providence Treatment Companies.
Marijuana and Anxiety Treatment
Anxiety and marijuana use go hand in hand, creating a challenging cycle of self-medication and emotional strain. While marijuana may provide temporary relief from anxiety, it often makes symptoms worse over time, leading to a dependence on the substance. For professionals and those in high-stress environments, this combination can severely impact personal well-being, work performance, and relationships. The demands of high-pressure jobs can exacerbate both anxiety and the temptation to self-medicate with marijuana, making it difficult to break free from the cycle.
At Providence Treatment, we offer specialized, personalized care to help those facing both marijuana addiction and anxiety, providing a tailored approach to treatment that addresses both concerns at once. Our outpatient programs are designed with professionals in mind, offering flexibility and high-quality care without disrupting their careers.
Offering Customized Support for Marijuana and Anxiety
Marijuana Addiction
Marijuana addiction, or cannabis use disorder, develops when one relies on marijuana to cope with stress, anxiety, or other challenges, despite its negative impact on daily functioning. A common misconception is that marijuana isn’t addictive, but regular use can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Symptoms of marijuana addiction may include an inability to stop using the substance, cravings, withdrawal symptoms like irritability and insomnia when not using, and continued use despite negative consequences on work, relationships, or health.
Many first use marijuana to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, believing it offers relief when really this cycle can quickly become problematic. While marijuana may provide temporary calm, over time it worsens anxiety and stress. As tolerance builds, many may find themselves using more to achieve the same effects, creating a harmful loop where marijuana is used to mask anxiety, rather than addressing the root causes of it.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the U.S. and are characterized by persistent and overwhelming feelings of fear, worry, or unease. These conditions can affect every aspect of life, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks, manage relationships, or succeed at work. In fact, those in high-stress professions have a two-fold risk of an anxiety disorder. Common anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Chronic and excessive worry about various life situations.
- Panic Disorder: Sudden and recurrent panic attacks with physical symptoms like a racing heart or shortness of breath.
- Social Anxiety Disorder: Intense fear of social situations or judgment from others.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Unwanted, intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors to alleviate anxiety.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Anxiety following a traumatic experience, with flashbacks and hypervigilance.
The symptoms of anxiety disorders—such as muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, and a racing heart—can be debilitating, often affecting one’s ability to function effectively. For many professionals, anxiety can create significant challenges at work, affecting concentration, decision-making, and performance under pressure. Professionals often turn to substances like marijuana as a form of self-medication to alleviate their anxiety, but this often worsens symptoms in the long run, leading to dependence and a cycle of coping with anxiety through marijuana use.
Marijuana and Anxiety: A Dual Diagnosis
When marijuana addiction and anxiety coexist, it is referred to as a dual diagnosis. This means that individuals are dealing with both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition simultaneously, which complicates the recovery process. Anxiety often becomes the catalyst for marijuana use. They may turn to marijuana as a way to self-soothe, seeking relief from overwhelming feelings of fear, worry, or restlessness.
Over time, marijuana use can actually increase anxiety, leading to heightened feelings of nervousness, panic, or paranoia. Marijuana use often exacerbates the very symptoms they were attempting to relieve, creating a destructive cycle. The more one uses marijuana to cope with anxiety, the worse their anxiety may become, further fueling their dependence on the drug.
For professionals managing a dual diagnosis, this cycle can lead to increased stress in the workplace, diminished productivity, and strained personal relationships. This ultimately creates a pattern where marijuana use and anxiety feed into one another, making it incredibly difficult to break free from both. For professionals, the effects on career and mental well-being can be severe, with burnout, decreased performance, and impaired decision-making affecting long-term success and overall health.
Unfortunately, as the cycle continues, it becomes more challenging to distinguish between the symptoms of anxiety and the effects of marijuana use, making the conditions harder to treat separately. By treating both the addiction to marijuana and the underlying anxiety, clients at Providence Treatment are given the tools to break the cycle, reduce symptoms, and work toward long-term mental wellness.
Treating Marijuana Anxiety
Our approach to treating both marijuana addiction and anxiety is based on providing personalized, integrated care that helps clients build lasting resilience. Our dual diagnosis program combines evidence-based therapies with mindfulness techniques and holistic practices, giving clients the tools they need to address both their marijuana use and anxiety in one cohesive treatment plan. Our flexible outpatient programs cater specifically to professionals, offering the support needed to balance treatment with ongoing career commitments. Features of our marijuana anxiety treatment program include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps identify and challenge the thought patterns that fuel both anxiety and marijuana use. By changing these thought patterns, clients develop healthier ways to manage stress and anxiety without resorting to marijuana.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Mindfulness practices, including meditation and deep breathing, help clients remain grounded and manage anxiety effectively. These techniques offer valuable alternatives to marijuana, allowing clients to manage stress without relying on substances.
- One-on-One Counseling: Personal counseling allows clients to explore the emotional triggers behind both their marijuana use and anxiety. These individualized sessions help develop personalized coping strategies that address both challenges directly.
- Group Therapy: Group sessions create a space for shared experiences and peer support, which is essential in overcoming both marijuana addiction and anxiety. Clients find strength in connecting with others who understand their struggles, which creates accountability and encouragement in the recovery process.
- Holistic Wellness Practices: In addition to traditional therapies, we incorporate wellness practices like yoga, fitness, and nutrition counseling to help clients reduce stress and improve their overall physical and mental well-being. These practices are vital in managing anxiety and supporting recovery from marijuana use.
- Relapse Prevention: Our treatment includes strategies for managing triggers for both anxiety and marijuana use, ensuring that clients are equipped with the tools to maintain long-term recovery and handle stress in healthy, sustainable ways.
Ask About Our Marijuana Anxiety Treatment
Begin your path to personal transformation today.
Get Treated for Marijuana Addiction and Anxiety
If you or a loved one is struggling with both marijuana addiction and anxiety, Providence Treatment is here to provide the care and support needed to overcome both conditions. Our dual diagnosis program offers a comprehensive, integrated approach tailored for professionals, empowering clients to break free from the cycle of self-medication and reclaim their lives. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment options for professionals and how we can help you achieve lasting recovery and improved mental health through marijuana anxiety treatment.
Get In Touch With Us
