Marijuana (Weed) Withdrawal: Symptoms & Timeline

Chronic marijuana use can lead to marijuana withdrawal, if a person attempts to quit or cut back their use. Keep reading to learn more about marijuana withdrawal symptoms, the marijuana withdrawal timeline, how long marijuana withdrawal lasts, and how to get help if you or a loved one is struggling with marijuana addiction.

Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms

Many marijuana (weed) withdrawal symptoms will start within a few days after the last use—usually within 24 to 72 hours—for individuals who use marijuana heavily and regularly. These symptoms can include:¹

• Irritability.
• Nervousness or anxiety.
• Difficulty sleeping or insomnia.
• Weight loss and decreased appetite.
• Restlessness.
• Depressed mood.
• Physical symptoms, such as tremors, sweating, headache, chills, nausea, and stomach pain.

Marijuana Withdrawal Timeline

The marijuana withdrawal timeline will vary from person to person. Typically, symptoms peak within the first week and resolve within 1–2 weeks. The sleeping issues associated with cannabis withdrawal can last up to a month or longer.¹ 

How Long Does Marijuana Withdrawal Last?

The course of marijuana withdrawal symptoms will be different for everyone. But generally, you can expect:^1,2

• First three days: Symptoms of cannabis withdrawal will begin. Around day three, the side effects are at their strongest. Vomiting may occur in addition to stomach pain. Excessive perspiration is often seen at this stage. Individuals may become restless and feel like they need to use marijuana again. Relapse is not uncommon during this stage, so it can be important for individuals who are working on a recovery program to seek out professional addiction treatment.
• Days 7 to 10: Marijuana withdrawal symptoms will peak. By day four of detox, a lot of the physical symptoms will start to taper off, but the psychological side effects intensify for many people. Depression is very common during this part of the cannabis withdrawal timeline, as the body tries to adjust to functioning without THC. This may persist through the first week of detox.
• Days 10 to 20: Marijuana withdrawal symptoms begin to subside. By the time the second week is over, most people are feeling stable and strong again, but continued treatment is still very much an important part of the process.

For most, the body will excrete the drug completely within 30 days. That doesn’t necessarily mean someone will feel the effects of marijuana withdrawal that long though. In most cases, the discomfort of marijuana withdrawal symptoms lasts only around two weeks, sometimes a little less.

Detoxing from marijuana takes time. While the initial effects of using the drug wear off within three hours, the cannabinoids from it remain in the body for quite a while. While it isn’t as common, people who smoke or consume marijuana heavily may have traces of it in their bodies as long as three months after quitting.

How to Prevent Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms

The only sure way to prevent marijuana withdrawal symptoms is to refrain from marijuana or cannabis use. Some factors that may affect the severity of marijuana withdrawal include:^1,2

• The duration or frequency of marijuana use.
• The amount of THC or potency of the cannabis product.
• How it’s used (e.g., smoking, eating, or “dabbing”).
• The presence of any co-occurring mental health disorders like depression or anxiety.
• The use of additional substances like alcohol, tobacco, or benzodiazepines.
• Gender (Women tend to report more severe withdrawal symptoms than men).
• The severity of dependence on marijuana or marijuana addiction.

If you’re concerned that your or your loved one’s marijuana use has become problematic, it may be indicative of a marijuana addiction, or what medical professionals refer to as cannabis use disorder.

Marijuana addiction is characterized by the compulsive, uncontrollable use of marijuana or cannabis despite the negative consequences.

Marijuana Addiction Treatment

For individuals who experience panic or anxiety from marijuana withdrawal, prescription anti-anxiety medications can be given in a controlled treatment setting to ease marijuana withdrawal symptoms. Getting professional treatment that includes evidence-based addiction therapy can help someone not only get sober but remain in long-term recovery.

It is not uncommon for people with a marijuana addiction to have other addictions or underlying conditions, and professional addiction treatment can ensure complications are addressed and any co-occurring issues are also treated.

Get Help for Marijuana Addiction at Oxford Treatment Center

If you use marijuana and would like to stop, you can seek professional help at . The compassionate admissions navigators at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab in Mississippi are committed to your recovery and on hand 24/7 to provide information about our programs, rehab payment options, and more.

At Oxford Treatment Center, we offer different types of rehab designed to meet the individual needs of each patient, including:

• Medical detox.
• Inpatient or residential treatment.
• Outpatient services.

When you’re ready to begin the path to recovery, we are here for you. Call us to start treatment today.