Many people don’t realize that delta-8 is addictive – so the onset of delta-8 withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the substance can be a particularly unpleasant surprise. Delta-8 withdrawal can have a significant impact on an individuals mental and physical health. Oftentimes, a medical detox is often needed to safely withdrawal from Delta-8 without relapse.
If you or a loved one are struggling with Delta-8 addiction, contact us today. Our addiction treatment programs in Nashville can help. Call us now at 614-234-9071 or verify your insurance now.
What Is Delta-8?
Delta-8 is a shortened version of delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol. It is also sometimes referred to as delta-8 THC. The cannabis sativa and cannabis indica plants, from which marijuana is derived, contain hundreds of compounds called cannabinoids. Two of the most well known are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the primary psychoactive agent in marijuana, while CBD has a more soothing effect.
The two most common types of THC are delta-8 and delta-9. Of the two, delta-9 is both more plentiful and more powerful, It is also the primary source of the high that is commonly associated with marijuana use. In the U.S., products containing delta-9 THC are often regulated more strictly than are substances with delta-8.
Since delta-8 is less potent than delta-9, and because it is legal in some places where delta-9 is not, many people mistakenly believe that it is harmless or virtually risk-free. Since you’re reading a blog post titled Delta-8 Withdrawal Symptoms, you already know that’s not the case. In the next few sections, we’ll address some of the potential negative effects of delta-8 use.
Signs of Delta-8 Addiction
Everybody knows that you can’t get addicted to marijuana that contains delta-9 THC, so claims about delta-8 addiction are just fearmongering, right?
Um, wrong. And wrong.
First, contrary to a stubbornly persistent myth, people can and do become addicted to marijuana. The likelihood of developing a weed addiction is lower than the risk of becoming dependent on opioids, cocaine, or benzodiazepines – but low risk is not the same as no risk.
As for delta-8, the risk of addiction is also low, but not nonexistent. If you suspect that you have become addicted to delta-8, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you spend a significant amount of time acquiring and using delta-8?
- Do you experience strong cravings for delta-8?
- Do you become upset or irritable when you’re not able to acquire or use delta-8?
- Have you used delta-8 in ways that you know are especially dangerous, such as by combining it with other addictive drugs?
- Have you continued to use delta-8 even after prior use of the substance led to some form of harm (such as conflicts in a relationship, a car accident, or physical health problems)?
- Does it seem like delta-8 doesn’t affect you as strongly as it used to, so you need to use more of it to experience the effects you’re seeking?
- Have you argued with or lied to friends or family members about the amount and frequency of your delta-8 use?
- Has your delta-8 use negatively affected your performance at work or in school?
- Have you begun to ignore your relationships or responsibilities as a result of your delta-8 use?
- Have you developed delta-8 withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using this substance, or if you’re prevented from using it?
Answering yes to any of these questions could indicate that you have become dependent on delta-8. Of course, please understand that these questions are by no means a substitute for being assessed by a qualified healthcare provider or addiction expert.
To know for sure if you have a problem – and to learn about the treatment options that may be most beneficial to you – you should schedule an assessment.
Delta-8 Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms can be substantial obstacles on the path toward a drug-free future. As your body reacts to the absence of a substance that it has become dependent on, you may experience both physical and psychological distress.
The type, severity, and duration of withdrawal symptoms can vary considerably from one substance to the next. Here’s what it can feel like when you’re experiencing delta-8 withdrawal symptoms:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Heavy perspiration
- Loss of appetite
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Agitation and irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Strong cravings for delta-8
These symptoms will usually begin to set in within one to three days after the last time you used delta-8. The most severe symptoms will typically peak by the end of the first week, then become less intense over the following week or two. However, some people continue to experience lingering withdrawal symptoms from delta-8 for months after they stopped using it.
Compared to withdrawal from opioids or alcohol, delta-8 withdrawal symptoms aren’t particularly severe. But just because another type of withdrawal is worse, that doesn’t mean that delta-8 withdrawal is easy.
The difficulty can be magnified when you try to get through withdrawal on your own. Not knowing what to expect next can increase your anxiety – and the knowledge that you can alleviate your distress by using delta-8 again can overwhelm your desire to stop using it for good. The good news is that you don’t have to endure delta-8 withdrawal symptoms alone. The better news is that getting help can make the process easier and increase your chances of achieving a future that’s free of delta-8 use.
More: Coping Mechanisms for Withdrawal
Find Help for Delta-8 Withdrawal in Nashville
If delta-8 withdrawal symptoms have kept you trapped in the chains of compulsive substance abuse, a detoxification program could be the key to your healthier future.
Nashville Treatment Solutions partners with several trusted detox programs in the area. We can refer you to a program that can help you get through the withdrawal process safely and with minimal discomfort. Then, once you’ve successfully eliminated this drug from your system, we can help you develop the skills that will empower you to resist relapse and progress in your recovery.
To learn more about Nashville detox and outpatient rehab for delta-8 addiction – or to schedule a free assessment – please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
