Marijuana Detox in New Orleans

The best way to detox from marijuana is to seek professional help. A qualified detox center will have experienced staff who can help you safely remove THC from your system

NOLA Detox offers marijuana detox in the New Orleans Area for people struggling with cannabis use disorder and marijuana addiction.

Our program is designed to ease withdrawal symptoms, restore physical stability, and support emotional well-being. We help patients regain control and lay the foundation for lasting recovery.

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Effects of Marijuana

What remains in the system after smoking?

Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the active ingredient in marijuana that causes a high. It attaches to cannabinoid receptors all over the body and creates feelings of euphoria by changing how sensory information gets into and is processed by your brain. Besides creating this “high,” THC affects memory, thought processing, attention span, and motivation.

THC is detectable in the blood for up to two weeks after use, and it can be detected in urine for up to a month.

THC Detox: What Actually Works

Marijuana detoxification is the process of removing THC and its metabolites from your body. There are many ways to detox from marijuana, but not all are effective or safe. Some people choose to use detox products that can be bought over the counter, while others turn to home remedies like activated charcoal or herbal teas. However, these methods are unreliable and can be dangerous if not done correctly.

The best way to detox from marijuana is to seek professional help. A qualified detox center will have experienced staff who can help you safely remove THC from your system. They will also provide counseling and support to help you stay sober after detox.

There’s no shortcut for getting through marijuana detox, but a 2022 clinical review in the journal Addiction points to a few things that help:

  • Medical supervision when you need it: Supervised or inpatient detox is recommended if you also use other substances, have a mental or physical health condition that withdrawal could make worse, or haven’t been able to quit on your own.
  • Treating the symptoms: No medication is approved specifically for marijuana withdrawal, but a doctor may use medications short term to ease symptoms like anxiety, trouble sleeping and nausea.
  • Counseling and a plan for what’s next: Supportive counseling and education about withdrawal are the first-line approach to marijuana detox. At NOLA Detox, your counselor walks you through the science of addiction during detox and builds a plan with you to stay sober. If you need to keep working or stay home with family, our intensive outpatient program gives you individual and group therapy while you sleep in your own bed every night.

We work with your insurance.

NOLA Detox accepts most major insurance plans, and both campuses accept Medicaid. Don’t let coverage be a barrier; our admissions team will verify your benefits for free, same day.
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What to look out for

Recognizing Marijuana Addiction

There are a few ways to recognize marijuana addiction. The most common way to tell that someone is addicted is by observing their behavior. Friends and family are often the first lines of defense when it comes to recognizing behavioral changes. Noticeable behavior and other signs of marijuana abuse include:

  • Weight gain
  • Slowed reaction time
  • Bloodshot eyes
  • Nervous or paranoid behavior

Use symptoms

If you are addicted to marijuana, there are certain signs that you may notice in yourself, including:

  • Cravings for marijuana
  • Taking progressively higher doses of the drug
  • Making poor financial decisions to purchase marijuana
  • Using marijuana more often than you intended
  • Involving yourself in risky behavior while under the influence
  • It’s difficult to stop using once you’ve started
  • You might also experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit, such as irritability, anxiety, and cravings
Black horse head sculpture on a city sidewalk in New Orleans.

What to Expect

Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal affects the body in many ways, but not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms are:

  • Low appetite
  • Irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Restlessness
  • Headaches
  • Mood swings
  • Cravings for marijuana
  • Sweats and chills
  • Depression
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain

Withdrawal from marijuana is rarely deadly, but it can be rather uncomfortable, making quitting difficult.

Cannabis Detox and Withdrawal Timeline

Marijuana withdrawal symptoms usually start 24 to 48 hours after your last use and are often at their worst between days 2 and 6, according to a 2022 clinical review in the journal Addiction. A 2020 analysis in JAMA Network Open found that nearly half (47%) of regular or dependent cannabis users go through withdrawal when they stop.

  • Days 1–2: Symptoms like irritability, anxiety, trouble sleeping and low appetite begin.
  • Days 2–6: Most symptoms peak. For many people, this is the hardest stretch.
  • Week 2 and beyond: Most symptoms ease, though anger and low mood can peak around week two, and sleep problems may last several weeks. Heavy users can have some symptoms for three weeks or longer.

At NOLA Detox, our medical detox program keeps you under 24/7 medical supervision while the insomnia, cravings and mood swings pass.

Our Process

Marijuana Detox Help

You have a couple of options for detoxing from marijuana, but it’s highly recommended to seek professional help. Some of the benefits of professional help with detox include:

  • Emotional support through counseling
  • Help with marijuana withdrawals
  • Safe environment for you to detox in
  • Having help from a professional to create a recovery plan

PHASE I

Stabilization

This is where you detox, rest, and recover. Our medical detox program keeps you under 24/7 medical supervision while the insomnia, cravings and mood swings pass. As you start to feel better, your counselor will discuss the science of addiction so you can better understand its impact.

PHASE II

Preparation

After stabilization, you can start preparing to establish a new way of living. This phase includes therapy, recovery meetings, and other group activities.

PHASE III

Action

During this phase, patients are stable, hopeful, and in a better place mentally. To help, your counselor will plan activities both off and on campus to help you transition back into normal life.

PHASE IV

Vision

Your counselor will help you plan how to stay sober throughout the future. Together, you and your counselor will make a comprehensive plan to guide you through life and recovery.

Enjoy Life Again.

New Orleans’ own full-continuum addiction treatment, built by locals who understand this city, designed for everyone who loves what it stands for.

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How to Quit Marijuana

Your options to quit marijuana are:
  • Quitting cold turkey
  • Detoxing yourself with home remedies
  • Quitting marijuana using medication
  • Receiving treatment at a rehab facility
The most effective way to quit for good is by working closely with a professional counselor who has the skill set to help you succeed. If you need to keep working or stay home with family, our intensive outpatient program gives you individual and group therapy with a physician involved in your care, and you sleep in your own bed every night.

Risks of home detoxing

It is possible to detox from marijuana at home, but there are a couple of drawbacks. These include:

  • Low chance of long-term sobriety
  • No professional support
  • No help with withdrawals

Our Locations

NOLA Strong. NOLA Sober. NOLA Detox.

New Orleans- Residential Treatment Center

New Orleans- Outpatient Treatment Center

Slidell- Inpatient and Outpatient Services

Get answers

FAQs

Is marijuana really addictive?
Marijuana has been deemed addictive by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Your tolerance for the drug will be determined by how your body reacts to THC. If you continue smoking, you will need more and more of the drug to get high enough for it to be pleasurable.
THC is stored in fat cells, and it can take up to three months for your body to clear all traces of the drug from your system. Diet, exercise, and the amount of marijuana you consume all have a factor in this, so there’s no definite answer to how long THC will stay in your body.
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms usually start 24 to 48 hours after you stop and are often at their worst between days 2 and 6, according to a 2022 clinical review in the journal Addiction. Some symptoms can last three weeks or longer in heavy users, and sleep problems may continue for several weeks.
Exterior view of NOLA Detox facility in New Orleans for alcohol and drug recovery.

Ready to Start Your Marijuana Detox?

Marijuana addiction can have a serious impact on your relationships, your finances, your ability to hold a job, and your long-term health. When you’re ready, NOLA Detox and Recovery Center is standing by to help with your marijuana detox. Contact us today at (504) 420-2985, or visit our campus to get started on your recovery.

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You don't have to figure this out alone.

Our admissions team is standing by 24 hours a day. One call can start everything. Same-day admissions are available, and transportation can be arranged. There’s no wrong time to reach out.