From the Guidelines
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms can include irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances, decreased appetite, restlessness, depressed mood, physical discomfort like headaches or stomach pain, cravings, and in some cases, sweating, chills, or tremors, and treatment primarily involves supportive care and symptom management, as recommended by recent guidelines 1.
Symptoms of Marijuana Withdrawal
The symptoms of marijuana withdrawal are numerous and can vary in severity. They typically begin within 24-72 hours after stopping heavy use, peak within the first week, and generally resolve within 1-2 weeks. Common symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Decreased appetite
- Restlessness
- Depressed mood
- Physical discomfort like headaches or stomach pain
- Cravings
- In some cases, sweating, chills, or tremors
Treatment Options
Treatment for marijuana withdrawal primarily involves supportive care and symptom management. Some strategies that may help include:
- For sleep disturbances, short-term use of medications like melatonin (3-10mg before bedtime) or in more severe cases, trazodone (50-100mg) may help, as suggested by studies 1.
- For anxiety and irritability, relaxation techniques, exercise, and in some cases, short-term use of buspirone (5-10mg twice daily) might be beneficial.
- Staying hydrated, maintaining a healthy diet, and regular physical activity can help manage physical symptoms.
- Psychological support through therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can address underlying issues and prevent relapse.
- Support groups like Marijuana Anonymous can provide community support.
- For severe cases or those with co-occurring mental health conditions, consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended for personalized treatment.
Water Retention
There is limited information available on water retention as a symptom of marijuana withdrawal. However, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can help manage physical symptoms and support overall health.
Importance of Healthcare Provider Consultation
For severe cases of marijuana withdrawal or those with co-occurring mental health conditions, consultation with a healthcare provider is crucial for personalized treatment and support. They can provide guidance on the best course of treatment and help manage any underlying conditions that may be contributing to withdrawal symptoms, as emphasized by recent guidelines 1.
From the Research
Symptoms of Water Retention and Marijuana Withdrawal
- There is no direct evidence of water retention symptoms in the provided studies. However, symptoms of marijuana withdrawal are well-documented:
- Anxiety, irritability, anger or aggression, disturbed sleep/dreaming, depressed mood, and loss of appetite are common symptoms of cannabis withdrawal 2, 3, 4, 5
- Less common physical symptoms include chills, headaches, physical tension, sweating, stomach pain, nausea, and shakiness 2, 3, 4
- Women may experience stronger cannabis withdrawal symptoms, including physical symptoms like nausea and stomach pain 3
Treatment Options for Marijuana Withdrawal
- Supportive counselling and psychoeducation are first-line approaches in managing cannabis withdrawal 2
- Medications have been used to manage short-term symptoms, such as anxiety, sleep, and nausea, but there are no medications currently approved specifically for medically assisted withdrawal (MAW) 2
- Promising pharmacological agents, including gabapentin, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol analogs, and mirtazapine, have been examined in controlled trials, but results are not consistently replicated 2, 3, 6
- Inpatient admission for MAW may be clinically indicated for patients with significant comorbid mental health disorders and polysubstance use 2, 3
- Cognitive and behavioral therapies, motivational enhancement therapies, and brief therapies have proven efficacy in treating cannabis dependence 6