The answer depends on how we define “overdose.” Technically, it means taking more of a substance than your body can handle. While weed overdose is rarely fatal, high doses (especially of THC) can cause intense symptoms. Many people also experience weed withdrawal or find themselves using more than they intended.

In this blog, we’ll unpack what a marijuana overdose really looks like, how it affects the body, and when to take your use seriously.

Is It Possible to Overdose on Weed? A Medical Overview

It’s possible to overdose on marijuana, but not in the way people usually think. A weed overdose won’t typically stop your breathing or heart like opioids might. Still, it can lead to serious symptoms. These effects are more likely to happen with potent edibles or concentrates.

While death from cannabis overdose is extremely rare, emergency visits are not. Overdosing on weed may not be fatal, but it can still be dangerous, especially for people who have underlying health issues or low tolerance.

Is Weed a Drug, and Is It Addictive?

Weed is absolutely a drug. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), its active ingredient, changes how your brain and body function. It’s classified as a psychoactive substance and can be addictive for some people.

As THC levels in cannabis have climbed over the past few decades, so have the rates of cannabis use disorder. Today’s weed is far more potent than it was in the 1990s, with average THC concentration jumping from under 4% to well over 15%. Stronger products mean stronger effects and a higher risk of forming a habit.

Frequent use can lead to cannabis use disorder, which is marked by cravings, increased tolerance, and trouble cutting back. It may not look like other addictions, but it can still disrupt your life, affecting memory, motivation, and emotional health.

Signs and Symptoms of a THC Overdose

Too much THC can overwhelm your system. Common signs of a cannabis overdose include:

• Paranoia
• Anxiety
• Panic
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Fast heart rate
• Hallucinations

These symptoms are usually temporary, but they can be scary. High-dose edibles often catch people off guard because the effects kick in later. Unlike opioid or stimulant overdoses, cannabis won’t usually stop vital functions, but it can still land you in the ER.

How Long Marijuana Stays in Your System

Weed lingers in your system longer than many people expect, and this can cause all sorts of complications in your life.

Here’s an overview of how long marijuana may be detected in the body based on different testing methods:

• Urine: up to 3–30 days (this can change, depending on use)
• Blood: 1–2 days
• Hair: up to 90 days
• Saliva: up to 24 hours

The length of time marijuana stays detectable depends on several factors, such as body fat, metabolism, and potency, which can influence how long THC stays in your body. Some people who are struggling to cut back on their own seek professional help, exploring marijuana detox services to reset their system or prepare for sobriety.

Taking Weed Use Seriously: When to Get Help

You might think it’s not a big deal because it’s legal or “just weed,” but that doesn’t mean it can’t get in the way of living how you want to live. You can definitely overdose on weed, even if it’s not life-threatening. And that’s something to be taken seriously.

Experts point to three major reasons for the rise in cannabis-related mental health concerns:

• Stronger THC levels
• Easier access in legalized markets
• Growing popularity of vape pens and edibles

These forms of weed are more concentrated, more convenient, and often much harder to moderate.

If weed is starting to feel like something you need, not just something you enjoy, it might be time to talk to someone. Get professional help and look into behavioral services, so you can build healthier habits, manage symptoms, and move toward a more stable life. You deserve support that meets you where you are: no judgment, just care.

The post Can You Overdose on Weed? appeared first on Granite Recovery Centers.

For some people, it offers relief from chronic pain or anxiety, but for others, its misuse can lead to dependence and long-term health challenges. If you’re considering quitting weed or addressing misuse, detoxing weed might be the first step on your journey.

What Is Detox for Weed?

When a person’s marijuana use intensifies to the point where they can’t go without it, we call this misuse or addiction. As with any addiction, it can significantly impact your mental, physical, and emotional health.

Studies show that using weed for a prolonged time can affect memory, motivation, and well-being, leaving users feeling trapped in a cycle they can’t break. Detoxing helps you break that cycle. Eliminating the drug from your body provides you with a clean slate for recovery, building the foundation for regaining control over your life.

The Purpose of a Weed Detox

A weed detox is an important first step in overcoming dependency. It allows the body to flush out the drug and helps to reset your system. Detox means laying the foundation for long-term recovery and a healthier lifestyle.
Detoxing from weed also helps with withdrawal symptoms and prepares your body for a fresh start. If you’re looking for a supportive environment during detox, consider a medical detox program to ensure safety and comfort.

Understanding THC in Your System

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the chemical responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana—that “high” feeling. THC binds to receptors in the brain, altering your mood, memory, and perception. Another compound in weed, CBD (cannabidiol), has therapeutic effects on the body without causing a high.

During detox, THC is gradually removed from the body, helping to restore balance. As this process clears these substances, it becomes easier to get back your mental clarity and physical well-being. If you need to rid your system of cannabis, a detox for THC is the first step.

How Long Does It Take to Detox from Weed?

Detoxing from weed takes time, effort, and commitment, but it’s a challenge worth facing. Preparation is key—having a plan and support system in place can make the journey smoother.

Factors That Affect Detox Time

The time needed to detox from weed depends on several factors, including:

• Frequency and amount of use
• Metabolism and body composition
• General health and hydration levels
• Method of consumption (smoking, edibles, etc.)

These variables influence how long it takes to detox weed, with heavier users often needing more time.

Average Time to Remove THC

On average, THC can stay in your system for days or even weeks. Occasional users may detox within 3-7 days, while chronic users might take 30 days or longer. Research shows that how long you take to detox THC depends largely on your patterns of use and metabolism.

Best Methods for Detoxing From Marijuana

• Stay hydrated to help flush out toxins.
• Maintain a balanced diet rich in antioxidants.
• Engage in regular physical activity.
• Practice mindfulness or meditation to manage stress.
• Get plenty of sleep to support recovery.
• Seek professional support through a detox program.

Can You Speed Up Weed Detox?

Many people wonder if it’s possible to speed up the detox process. While there’s no magic solution, there are always different ways you can support the body’s natural detox process.

Myths About Faster Detox Methods

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about how to detox weed faster. Let’s look at two of the more common myths and why they don’t really help.

1. Drinking excessive water: Overhydration won’t speed up detox and can actually be harmful to your body.
2. Using detox drinks or pills: Most lack scientific backing and provide short-term masking rather than true detox.

Don’t fall for these myths when trying to speed up THC detox—focus on proven methods instead.

Proven Ways to Accelerate Detox

When it comes to treating substance use, focusing on methods that have been proven and are backed by research is always the way to go. Evidence-based strategies for a quick detox for THC include:

• Increasing your physical activity to boost metabolism.
• Eating nutrient-rich foods—try some leafy greens and berries!
• Consulting a professional for tailored advice (especially if you’re detoxing for a drug test).

Signs That THC Detox Is Working

Detoxing can be tough, but recognizing progress keeps you motivated. The following signs indicate you’re on the right track.

Symptoms During Detox

When you’re detoxing from weed, symptoms you may experience along the way include:

• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Sweating
• Loss of appetite

While unpleasant, the symptoms of detox from weed are temporary. They are the proof that your body is working hard to drop THC.

Positive Changes Post Detox

Weed detox results can vary from person to person, but generally speaking, after completing your detox, you’ll notice several positive changes. The most commonly reported improvements are things like:

• Improved mental clarity
• Better sleep patterns
• Enhanced physical health
• Reduced anxiety and irritability

Seeing the positive signs of detoxing from weed highlights the benefits of a clean system. With the right support, you can pave the way for long-term recovery.

Staying Motivated Through the Detox Journey

Mental preparation for detox means having determination and the right mindset. Brace yourself for the challenges, celebrate even the smallest of victories, and lean on a strong support system to stay on track.

By focusing on your goals and using these tips for THC detox success, you’ll emerge stronger, healthier, and ready to embrace a new chapter.

The post Detox Weed: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Granite Recovery Centers.

It’s important to point out that marijuana substance use disorder isn’t the only thing we’ve seen at Granite Recovery Centers. We’ve also seen substance use disorders linked to laced marijuana concoctions.

Rise of Laced Marijuana

Laced marijuana has been popular for a long time. Perhaps people desire laced products because marijuana is becoming normalized in society. These people may want something with a bit of a kick; they could be seeking a stronger reaction.

Most of the time, marijuana is mixed with other psychoactive substances to offer a stronger marijuana effect. You should know that marijuana could be mixed with substances that don’t offer any positive benefits to the user. Sometimes, the additive is simply contamination.

Lead and Heavy Metals

High amounts of lead and heavy metals can be in marijuana. As marijuana grew in popularity, so did the need to find a stronger strand. Back in the 1970s, marijuana’s potency was relatively predictable. There were no strong strands available.

Every so often, quality varied, but that’s no longer the case today. Some of the strands available today are much stronger than those in earlier years. As people attempted to grow something stronger, they began to contaminate the soil with harmful compounds like butane. However, contaminants already in the soil have been getting into the marijuana, and these contaminants include heavy metals like lead.

Glass

Something scary that is sometimes found in marijuana is glass. This material isn’t something anyone wants in the substance, but altered marijuana may contain some glass. This can be incredibly dangerous since marijuana is often smoked and consumed in edibles.

A person should get marijuana from a trustworthy source, and he or she should inspect the substance before using it; however, being this vigilant gets more difficult when someone develops a marijuana substance use disorder.

At this point, people aren’t thinking about being careful but rather are considering how to get the high they need. If you want to test the marijuana, you could rub it against a CD or a DVD. Scratches indicate that glass is present.

Fungi and Bacteria

Fungi and bacteria can be in marijuana. This combination might resolve as states continue to legalize marijuana. With the legalization of marijuana, there will be more regulations and rules instated.

For a while, when the market was not regulated, it was easy to find fungi and bacteria. Many marijuana sellers didn’t care about testing their supplies; all they cared about was selling the product and moving on.

Legalization means standards and an investment in technology that could help ensure that marijuana doesn’t contain these things. Fungi and bacteria can even be in legal marijuana, so it’s clear that the system is not perfect yet. Thankfully, things are moving in the right direction.

PCP

So far, we’ve been talking about the contaminants in marijuana that aren’t supposed to be there, but several contaminants are purposely added, including PCP. PCP is a hallucinogenic substance, so it’s easy to see why someone would mix marijuana with it. The point is to create a more intense experience.

We’ve known about PCP for a long time; the substance can take a hold of someone’s life, much like marijuana. A person’s life could derail with either of these substances, so imagine what both could do to a person. Part of the reason we ensure that our staff at Granite Recovery Centers is ready for your call is that we know how damaging a substance use disorder can be. We can help if you give us a chance.

The mix of marijuana and PCP is sometimes called dusted weed, fry, and superweed, but there are several other names for it. The chances of developing substance use disorder are higher if you mix marijuana with PCP. Our substance use disorder treatment program can help, but the first step is always yours.

Heroin

Heroin is another substance that marijuana is sometimes laced with. This is a powerful substance with which many individuals develop a substance use disorder. People who use this type of marijuana usually feel extremely relaxed and maybe even lethargic.

Heroin offers a pleasing effect, which is one reason people try it and continue to use it until it destroys their lives. The problem is that this substance is also pretty dangerous. People can start to feel like they can’t breathe, and their heart rates could drop dangerously low.

The dangers that this substance presents only get worse if heroin is used excessively. Marijuana is easily abused, so the chances that someone uses this blend too much is high, too. We’ve seen the effects of heroin on people and their families, so we know what we’re dealing with. Don’t hesitate to give us a call to see how we can help you.

Embalming Fluid

It might seem strange that marijuana is laced with embalming fluid, but it can be. People are getting high off the fluid that keeps the corpses from rotting.

The reason this substance is gaining traction among users is that it seems to create a strong psychoactive effect on the user. There’s no doubt that using this kind of marijuana puts you at risk of serious issues. Those chemicals aren’t meant for the living but for the dead.

Serious neurological damage or death could happen to anyone who uses this mixture. People might think the experience is positive, but they are in danger whenever they try this blend.

Cocaine

Cocaine is another lacing substance. It can include crack, which is a more affordable form of cocaine. The reason people lace marijuana with this substance is to create a strange blend of relaxing and stimulating feelings.

Marijuana could be laced with cocaine, but it usually isn’t. Buyers mix the substances to see what happens. Cocaine is powerful and could be quite dangerous. Combining the two could lead to serious issues like paranoia and seizures, just to name a few effects.

People can easily develop a dependence on cocaine, which makes this blend scary. Getting clean from cocaine use is hard. We’ve helped patients fight cocaine substance abuse. The withdrawal symptoms can get severe, but we’re here to assist, to offer support, and to give you the strength you need to overcome a substance use disorder.

LSD

LSD is a hallucinogenic, and it’s a potent substance. The chances of developing a substance use disorder are high when you mix LSD and marijuana. People who use this substance with marijuana usually use a very small amount because a little goes a long way.

Some people dab a small amount on their lips before they start smoking marijuana, which is more than enough. Most of the time, the experience feels good to the user, which could be one reason people decide to mix LSD with marijuana. The mixture could lead to effects that last up to 12 hours.

Twelve hours of effects is a long time and is one of the main reasons that people have a hard time giving it up. We’ve helped many people fight off a substance use disorder associated with LSD, and it’s not pretty. We’re happy to say that we know what to do to guide you back to a life you recognize where you’re back in control.

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine or crystal meth is a powerful substance that our team knows very well. This is sadly another substance that some people mix with marijuana to create a more powerful experience.

As people use marijuana and their bodies become accustomed to it, people start to seek bigger things. At some point, the body develops a resistance to a substance. When this happens, a person needs to have bigger dosages of a particular substance.

One reason people start to blend things like marijuana and crystal meth is they’re seeking that feeling they can’t get from using just one substance. You could experience extremely euphoric feelings, or you could end up dealing with uncontrollable delusions or even seizures.

Ketamine

Ketamine is sometimes in marijuana. This particular substance is more of a stimulant. Sometimes, people experience a jolt when they use ketamine, but there are times when people experience a disconnection from themselves.

They might feel detached from their bodies. It’s a scary feeling that might intensify if ketamine is used with marijuana. Sometimes, ketamine can cause a person to overheat or to deal with chronic dehydration. Both of these things could lead to even more serious complications, not to mention a serious substance use disorder.

We know how easily people can fall victim to ketamine, even if they don’t think they use it often enough to develop this problem. Granite Recovery Centers is here to facilitate your fight against substance use disorder, no matter what form that takes.

Laundry Detergent

Sometimes, marijuana could develop a smell, especially if the substance is old. The marijuana smell takes some getting used to, which is part of the reason that people lace marijuana with detergent.

What this mixture does is trick others into thinking that the marijuana they’re selling is high quality. This usually works and tricks the buyer. Some people add laundry detergent just to spike the prices because it does smell like top-notch marijuana once it’s laced. The overall appearance of marijuana improves as well.

The problem is that no one should be ingesting laundry detergent. Every detergent’s warning label says that consuming it could be quite serious. A person could get very sick; in fact, you could potentially die from using laundry detergent-laced marijuana.

Marijuana is a powerful substance. Yes, it’s getting legalized everywhere, but that doesn’t make it any less powerful. It’s the kind of substance that a person could easily use too much of and become dependent on.

We know what it could do to a person and the kind of harm it could do to your life. We are just talking about marijuana on its own; when it’s laced with something else, the addiction and the effects can get much worse. There’s not much you can do about marijuana contamination once you’ve bought it. That’s why you should purchase the plant from companies that only offer high-quality products.

It’s important to stay away from marijuana that you aren’t sure about. If you’ve already been lacing your marijuana or if a loved one is doing it, we encourage you to give us a call.

Allow Granite Recovery Centers to explain what we do here and how we can help you. Everyone needs a helping hand, and a person suffering from substance use disorder needs some help.

The post What Could Be In Laced Marijuana appeared first on Granite Recovery Centers.

Efforts in the United States to legalize marijuana for recreational and medical uses are causing many recovering people to ask themselves, “Is using weed a relapse?” If a person has been recovering from using other drugs, such as cocaine, opioids, and alcohol, they might perceive weed use to be a relapse. Unlike weed, illicit drugs and alcohol can cause major legal, health, and financial problems. When people turn to recovery programs to manage their lives better, they don’t want to relapse into old habits.

The legalization of weed for use in medical and recreational purposes might make recovering patients fear relapse. How true is this concern? Let us look into the different studies and research on the topic.

Why Is Cannabis Use a Relapse?

Cannabis, as a drug, modifies how your brain functions and changes your mood significantly. Whether a substance is legal or not doesn’t change its effect on your sobriety. For instance, alcohol is legally permitted, but using it is also perceived as a relapse.

Most people use weed together with other substances. Such users are often unable to take one without the other. Hence, relapsing on weed can cause people to go back to using other substances. Weed is also known to be the reason for lowered inhibitions, making it more attractive to use other drugs. According to research, using marijuana after cocaine and alcohol dependency treatment might lead to a relapse to the previous drug use.

As some people have considered marijuana to be a “gateway drug” for a long time, it has been frequently implicated in the graduation to abuse harder drugs like cocaine. Research has suggested that marijuana might also be a gateway drug leading to relapse.

What About CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a component that is found in weed. It is not psychoactive. Hence, it does not cause addiction and will not affect your sobriety since it does not have the same mind-altering effects that weed and other drugs do. Research has shown that CBD can even reduce the risk of relapse on different drugs and alcohol.

CBD has been shown to reduce the cravings for opioids that a person might experience while they are recovering from opioid addiction. While you are recovering from other drugs, the use of CBD is not perceived to be a relapse. However, you should discuss this with your counselor if you are in treatment.

Research on the Potential of CBD for Relapse Prevention

One study showed that applying a CBD-infused gel on rats’ skin each day for a week reduced relapse. The rats had a history of daily cocaine and alcohol use. In a study, CBD was shown to reduce the impulse and anxiety many people associate with drug dependence. The effect of the CBD was proven to last for five months after the treatment was stopped.

CBD’s benefits are known to extend to the attenuation of neurodegeneration caused by alcohol. It protects the recovering patient’s mental state. Impulse control deficits in recovering alcoholics are better controlled. This also means that CBD has a therapeutic potential relevant to the various conditions that are known to be responsible for relapsing. Factors such as a greater level of anxiety, impaired impulse control, stress, and cravings tend to cause a relapse.

Using CBD for relapse prevention is a promising avenue to follow even if additional research is required. It is known to work without a sedative effect and does not interfere with normal, motivated behavior. It helps prevent reinstatement to the previously used drug, and even with only brief treatment, the results should last for much longer.

Options for Treatment

The reality is that it can be challenging to stay sober. It is more evident when you are under stress or facing temptations. There are treatment programs that will get you the required medications to assist you with managing cravings.

Rehab programs that provide counseling will teach you the best way to deal with stress. They enable you to avoid relapse because the cravings are better managed and even controlled. You’ll want to go for a treatment option that is powerful and supported by scientific evidence. Your treatment plan should be made up of the best options to keep you on the right path for recovery.

With this kind of support available to you, your recovery will be much smoother. Your likelihood of relapse will be significantly reduced, and you will likely find yourself getting more robust. The support programs will get you on the path to recovery and support you even after the treatment.

Post-treatment support is essential as it keeps you on the straight path. It keeps you clear from the dangerous trails that are likely to lead you back to relapse. It also keeps you close to the other people you were with during recovery. The bonds that have been formed in a rehab facility or support group will be even more helpful as you transition to a life of sobriety.

Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are some of the recovery groups that can provide you with support. These groups have others going through the recovery with you, and the 12 steps you follow will be a reliable way to recover gradually.

What Are the Dangers of a Relapse?

The effects and impacts of relapse are significant and a reason to avoid them. Relapsing means that you go back to using the drug, and you will find it harder to stop the addiction when you are using again. Relapse makes you more comfortable using the drug, and recovery becomes even more difficult.

The financial and health implications of relapse are even more remarkable and could cause you to lose a lot of progress. Cravings, anxiety, and impulses are the significant factors behind the regression. When you have relapsed to a drug, it takes longer to recover from its usage.

The receptors in the brain get active again, and the impact of the drug use is even greater. Your systems and brain will absorb the drugs at a greater rate. As such, it will be even harder to recover from the addiction. It is for this reason that recovery programs give you so many tools to help you avoid relapse.

Rehab also gets more expensive when you relapse, which is why many efforts are made to avoid it. Periods of relapse are also known to have more significant mental effects on the drug or alcohol user.

All the progress you made in the recovery program will not be in vain if you relapse into using the drugs you wanted to stop. The recovery will be longer when you have relapsed, but it is still possible to get back on your treatment plan. If you’re taking CBD with your counselor’s approval, the effect on your neural receptors may make it possible to stay off the drugs you are recovering from for the long term.

Granite Recovery Centers

Our treatment centers are dedicated to addiction treatment. The facilities provide you with a comfortable recovery process and helpful information from compassionate counselors and medical professionals. Recovering from drug use is not an easy process, so getting the best support is essential.

Granite Recovery Centers has a few different centers you can choose from for your recovery journey. Our programs are well-organized and designed to help you make it through. Our continuum of care also incorporates planning for your post-treatment life so we’re with you each step of the way. You’ll get an opportunity to bond with other people in recovery and, in the process, grow healthy friendships.

Support systems are essential for people who are struggling with drug addiction or alcoholism. They contribute to better behavior, so getting the support you need in your moments of difficulty is very important. It would be best if you did not relapse to the drugs you have been using in your past, and you may need to lean on trusted friends and mentors in a moment of temptation. Reaching out to a counselor or peer in recovery ensures that you are on the steady path to sobriety. It also makes you healthy and more capable of healing as you gain experience that can help others on the same path.

Friendships are essential for the recovery process to be effective. They move you from the initial broken-down position into a much more powerful state of recovery. With a good friend to recover together with, you will have all the support you need. You will also be able to help others make progress together on the journey to recovery and a brighter, more promising future.

What to Expect from Addiction Treatment

At our rehab centers, treatment programs for addiction follow a 12-step curriculum and include the full provision of care. The plans involve detoxification, extended care, inpatient counseling, and sober living assistance. These programs help ensure that recovering patients do not relapse into drug use. Granite Recovery Centers provides medical detoxification for people who do not need immediate medical intervention, are not a danger to themselves, and are capable of self-evacuation in the event of an emergency.

Granite Recovery Centers has all the resources you need for recovery. Addiction recovery is the main priority here, so when you sign up for 12-step recovery programs, you get counselors who are dedicated to the journey.

The counselors and professionals at the facility will take their time with you. They are patient, and with the much experience they have had with other recovering drug and alcohol users, they will be beneficial in helping you learn tools that ensure you stick with the recovery journey.

The 12-step program helps make you a better person. The counselors are your best help when recovering from drugs or alcohol because they help you identify triggers and other causes of stress. This type of therapy can make it possible for you to fight relapse and push ahead with the healing process.

Never let the fear of relapse be the reason you fail to seek help. Instead, let the power of recovery programs take over and work for you. Our programs are designed to ensure that the progress you make helps you live a better life free from the grips of addiction to drugs or alcohol.

If you are concerned about CBD or cannabis and how it will affect your recovery journey, feel free to reach out to us. We’re happy to provide information that will address your concerns and help you create an action plan to avoid relapse if you’re tempted to use substances that could harm your sobriety.

The post Is Using Weed a Relapse? appeared first on Granite Recovery Centers.

A problem can develop with heavy marijuana use. When a loved one develops a substance use disorder linked to this drug, a lot can go wrong in the person’s life. If you suspect that a loved one has a marijuana use disorder, one thing to do is learn how to tell if he or she is high.

Physical Clues Someone Is High on Weed

Many people look to movies and television to figure this out. While some movies and shows have shown realistic portrayals of marijuana usage, the actors are just acting.

The following are some physical manifestations you may notice if someone’s using marijuana:

• Marijuana usually irritates the user’s eyes. This means a person might have red eyes after using marijuana.
• Another obvious physical manifestation is poor muscle coordination. Users won’t be able to adapt to their surroundings quickly.
• Most people catch on to things quickly, but someone who is high is usually slower to respond. It might take a while for the person to understand what you’re saying.
• A high person is going to get hungry sooner or later. This drug seems to make people hungrier than normal, so keep a lookout for that.
• Sometimes, you can smell marijuana on the user if it’s been smoked. You might notice a skunk-like smell mixed with an earthy smell.

While there are definite physical changes a person might go through when high, you might also notice a few behavioral changes. The following are some behavioral cues that might indicate marijuana use:

• The user may experience varying degrees of panic; sometimes, the reason might seem rational but usually not.
• Some folks who consume marijuana feel scared, which could lead to anxiety episodes.
• A few users act less shy. If you know the individual well enough, you might notice a new outgoing attitude around others.
• A high person might laugh uncontrollably at nothing or at mildly comical things.
• Forgetfulness is another behavioral change someone might have when high. Sometimes, users might forget something they just said.

If you notice any of these indication, the person may be high, but there is more to consider to confirm the possibility.

Methods of Consumption

Knowing if someone is high goes beyond the physical signs that a user might display. If a person smokes the substance, you’ll probably smell it, but there are various ways someone might consume marijuana. People can choose edibles like brownies, cookies, and even candy. Other folks use tinctures, and a few prefer to drink weed mixed as a tea.

If you know the various methods of marijuana consumption, you’ll have a higher chance of figuring out if someone is high.

Signs of Consumption

At times, people want to confirm that a loved one is getting high when they suspect chronic marijuana use. A lot of people who get help for their loved ones through Granite Recovery Center start with nothing more than a suspicion of substance abuse.

The problem is that suspicion isn’t evidence. This is the reason you need to confirm your suspicion before you move on to the next step in this fight against marijuana use. To do that, you can look for signs of consumption.

Looking through someone’s stuff is going to feel like an invasion of privacy, and that’s because it is. Breaking this social code is something you’re going to have to come to terms with before you start your search.

Some things you’re going to be looking for are pretty popular. You might have seen these in countless movies or shows. The following are examples of marijuana paraphernalia:

• You might fight some rolling papers. Sometimes, these are white in appearance, and other times, they are brown. Most of the time, the papers look thin. They could be alone or in a small box filled with many rolling papers.
• People sometimes use pipes to smoke marijuana, so you might find that as well. These are sometimes made out of glass, but there are also pipes made out of materials like wood.
• Every so often, a person will use cigar papers instead of rolling papers. The cigars will be empty because the user wants to stuff these papers with marijuana later on.
• People can use e-cigarettes to smoke weed.
• Some users love to use bongs. These can be large, so they should be easy to find.

If you’re going to be looking through a loved one’s belongings, make sure you have enough time to do so. You don’t want to get caught red handed.

You should also put everything back the way it was. The best way to do this is to just put things back as you move them so that you don’t forget the location and arrangement of the possessions before you searched them.

To cut down on the amount of time you spend looking through a loved one’s room, you might want to take note of the following tips. Our team of experienced staffers at Granite Recovery Center has talked to enough marijuana users to know the most common hiding places. Focus on the following areas when you look:

• People sometimes carve out a little space on top of their doors. Reach up there, and feel to see if you find something suspicious.
• Users know that others might, at some point look, look for their drugs, so they stash the paraphernalia in old drug packages. You might think it’s just a little pain medication, but it could be something else entirely.
• Every so often, users carve out a hole in a soda can on the bottom to hide stuff there. To you, it’ll look like an unopened soda can, so you might overlook it, but you should check it out.
• If the user has a fish tank, he or she won’t expect you to look under it. That’s another place where users might stash their marijuana-related materials.
• A clever marijuana user might remove the lining of a regular speaker and hide all of the supplies there, thinking you’ll never think to look.
• If a loved one has a dropped ceiling in his or her room, then that might be a good hiding place.
• This one might be dangerous, but some users hide their stuff in a wall outlet. Try to be careful if you’re going to look in this electrical box.
• A few users with birdhouses may use the roof’s structure to hide their marijuana-related products.
• You’re going to want to look through furniture. Users that we’ve talked to hide their stashes between slats or sometimes in the upholstery itself.

If you notice a lot of brownie or cookie wrappers in a person’s room that have a strange scent, then that may be evidence of use. If you notice strange liquids or herbs in a loved one’s room, hidden away from everyone, then be wary. People don’t usually hide things if there’s no issue.

A few folks who’ve been through our addiction treatment have shared another secret: If they do smoke the substance, they try to hide the smell. They do this in various ways, like using incense or wearing a lot of perfume or cologne.

Some users like to smoke by a vent or an opened window to hide the smell. If you happen to notice a loved one likes to sit near these places for no apparent reason or if he or she suddenly starts using incense, it might be time to start looking for the aforementioned signs.

Hopefully, you don’t find anything at all during your search. If you find paraphernalia related to marijuana and feel your loved one might have a problem with heavy marijuana use, you can give us a call. We work with folks who worry about their loved ones. No one wants to find out that a loved one is dealing with a substance use disorder, but it’s better to know now.

We can help you learn more about signs so that you’re better prepared. We’ve been working with chronic marijuana users for some time, and we know that people can hide a disorder from loved ones because loved ones didn’t know what to look for.

Once you know your loved one may have a problem, you can move on to the next step. If you do this right, we’ll be able to see your loved one walk through our doors. This can’t be done without evidence-based treatment because the disorder takes a hold of you.

Intervention for Marijuana Use Disorder

If you confirm a substance use disorder, you may want to create an intervention plan where you can confront a loved one safely. You have to learn how to listen and give your loved one a chance to admit he or she needs help.

Consider the following tips if you’re going to stage an intervention:

• It’s important that you stay as calm as possible. Keep your emotions in check because anger won’t help, and your feelings could escalate the confrontation.
• Write a script of everything you want to say, and practice it. The more prepared you are, the better your message will be. While you can’t predict your loved one’s reaction, the script can at least keep you focused.
• Be sure to choose the right moment. Don’t do this if you know your loved one just got in trouble at work or just went through a stressful situation. You want to find a moment when everyone is calm.
• Try to explain the dangers of heavy marijuana use. This shows that you care, and it might enlighten your loved one. For example, heavy weed smokers seem to have trouble remembering things and have trouble learning, and that’s just a few of the effects.

An intervention may not yield the results you want. You should know it can’t reverse a substance use disorder. This is going to take some time. What you’re doing right now is taking that first step.

Making your loved one aware that the problem isn’t hidden anymore could convince them to seek help. You want to have our number handy, just in case you’re able to convince your loved one to call us.

Now, you know how to figure out if someone is high. You also know more about confirming marijuana use. If you ever suspect a friend or family member of a marijuana use disorder, give Granite Recovery Center a call.

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