Weed Detox in Port St. Lucie, FL

Weed Detox in Port St. Lucie

Weed, or marijuana, is a drug derived from the cannabis plant that can be smoked, eaten, or vaped. Due to its tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) contents, it has mind-altering effects.

Much like other addictive substances, using weed for a prolonged period can increase the likelihood of addiction.

When an addiction to weed arises, withdrawal symptoms usually occur when you stop using it. While marijuana withdrawal doesn’t necessarily induce some of the dangers of withdrawing from other drugs, such as heroin or fentanyl, symptoms may arise when trying to give up the drug.

Effects of Marijuana

One of the most widely used illicit drugs in the United States, marijuana can be smoked via rolled cigarettes, joints, and pipes. Vaporizers are also commonly used among some users as they reduce the amount of smoke inhaled when smoking the substance.

In addition to smoking weed, some people consume it by baking it into cookies or brownies or infusing it into a drink.

Regardless of how weed is ingested, when THC enters the bloodstream, it travels to the brain, causing users to feel some of the many short-term and long-term effects.

Short-Term Effects of Weed

THC processes from the lungs into the bloodstream when you smoke weed. From here, it then makes its way through the body to the brain and other organs. Generally, the effects of weed are felt between 30 minutes and one hour after use and can last for a few hours at a time. When eaten, weed absorbs at a slower rate.

When THC reaches the brain, it stimulates brain cell receptors which react to naturally occurring chemicals in the body. These chemicals have similar properties to THC and can impact brain development and function.

When you use marijuana, the part of the brain that contains the most concentrated level of these receptors over-activate, causing you to feel stoned or high.

In addition to feeling high, some short-term effects of weed include:

Intensified senses

Loss of sense of time

Feeling relaxed

Change in mood and emotions

Slowed body movement

Reduced cognition

Decreased memory

When large quantities of weed are consumed, you may experience hallucinations and, in some cases, psychosis.

Long-Term Effects of Marijuana

Marijuana affects brain development. If people start using weed when the brain is still developing, the effects may impact cognition, memory, and learning abilities. Weed can also affect how the brain communicates between these areas.

Although we know that weed can impair brain development, it is not fully understood how long the effects of cannabis may last or whether they create permanent changes in the brain.

To determine the long-term effects of weed, the National Institute of Drug Abuse is conducting a study surrounding adolescent brain cognitive development. This study will examine many young Americans from childhood to early adulthood to understand how and to what extent marijuana, and other drugs, affect brain development.

Although researchers are still trying to uncover if long-term damage is caused by marijuana, examples of lowered intelligence quotient (IQ) levels in adults who have been using weed since they were young have been noted.

How Long Does Weed Stay in Your System?

HC can remain in the body for days or even weeks after weed use. However, the length it stays in your system depends on some variable factors.

Essentially, the length of time THC stays in the body depends on the following:

Body fat content

Frequency of drug use

Quantity of drug use

As THC is lipid-soluble, it binds to fat cells in the body, increasing the amount of time it takes to leave the body.

Detecting Weed in the Body

A range of drug tests can detect THC in the body. 

These tests include:

Saliva drug test

Hair follicle test

Urine test

Blood test

Swab test

Although most drug tests are reliable, they can only usually detect weed for a certain length of time. Lab tests are the most reliable forms of drug testing.

Drug Test Myths

More recently, misleading information surrounding detox methods and how to test negative on a drug test has been published online. For example, detox drinks are touted for flushing THC out of the body a few hours after consumption. However, there is no medical evidence to back this up.

THC detox kits are also marketed as ways to pass a drug test. These home remedies, which are sold under the guise of a ‘THC detox kit,’ claim that they can rid the body of toxins, including THC, in the space of 60 minutes, stating, “In less than an hour, it will cleanse all traces of THC from any blood test, urine test, and saliva test.”

Cranberry juice, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar are other home remedies that claim to rid the body of toxins. While they have health-giving properties, there is no proof that they can help people pass drug tests.

These quick-fix THC detox solutions are not in any way scientifically proven. However, they continue to encourage users to believe there is a quick alternative to a proper detox process.

If you’re worried about an impending drug test, it may be the time to assess the impact your drug use has on your life.

Factors Affecting Weed Test Detection

Several things influence whether a test can detect THC traces, such as:

Test Sensitivity

The more sensitive the drug test, the higher the chances of detecting low doses of marijuana. This is true for all types of drug tests, including blood tests, urine tests, hair tests, and saliva tests.

THC Quantity

Marijuana drug tests detect THC rather than marijuana itself. Therefore, the quantity of THC in a person’s body is a crucial factor.

As the effects of THC are cumulative, a person who smokes several times over several days and consumes higher doses of THC is more likely to test positive than someone who smokes the drug once.

The strength of THC is also relevant. It is challenging to determine the strength of the marijuana; therefore, it can be difficult to distinguish what levels of THC an individual consumes.

Fat Stores in the Body

Fat cells store marijuana. As a result, people with higher concentrations of fat are thought to process marijuana more slowly than those with less fat.

Sex

Usually, women have more body fat than men. For this reason, they are thought to metabolize marijuana at a slower rate than men.

Hydration

Dehydration increases the level of THC stored in the body. Although consuming lots of water is unlikely to affect a drug test, dehydration could have a significant effect.

Exercise

Exercising won’t affect how an individual metabolizes THC. However, exercising directly before a drug test may have an impact.

A study of regular marijuana users who participated in cycling before a drug test found that THC concentrations increased by a significant amount. These results indicate that exercising immediately before a drug test might increase the likelihood of a positive test.

Metabolism

THC tends to leave the body quicker if an individual has a fast metabolism. As a result, those with slow metabolisms are more likely to test positive following a drug test.

Signs and Symptoms of Weed Use

The side effects of weed are physical and psychological. Physical symptoms can include:

Trouble breathing

Increased heart rate

Nausea

Vomiting

Psychological symptoms of marijuana use include:

Anxiety

Depression

Hallucinations

Paranoia

Brain fog

Suicidal ideation

Although using weed is not advised if a woman is pregnant, many women, unfortunately, do use the drug. Sadly, marijuana use among pregnant women has been linked to low birth weight and brain and behavioral problems in babies.

In addition, it is possible to overdose on marijuana. Though fatal overdosing has never been reported, people who use too much of the drug may experience extreme symptoms, such as paranoia and hallucinations.

Users of marijuana can also develop a substance use disorder. When a substance use disorder impairs a person’s life, they continue using the drug despite the negative implications on their health and well-being.

When a person develops a substance use disorder and attempts to stop using weed, they may experience side effects such as:

Anxiety

Irritability

Insomnia

Lack of appetite

Strong cravings

Detox and Withdrawal Symptoms

THC detox varies significantly between users. If you occasionally use low amounts of the drug, stopping without support may be possible.

However, if you have built up a tolerance to the drug and use it very regularly, you may need more support to quit using. When support is sought via a rehab center such as our own, treatment includes weed detox.

Although withdrawal from weed is rarely harmful, it is not unusual to experience some withdrawal symptoms. 

Some of these symptoms may include:

Anxiety

Dehydration

Depression

Difficulty sleeping

Fever

Headaches

Lack of appetite

Low mood

Perspiration

Strong urges to use marijuana

Stomach pains

THC Detox Methods

Currently, medical treatments for drug detox are non-existent. However, many detox programs, such as our own, can treat withdrawal symptoms and provide much-needed support during the process.

Some successful support methods incorporate individual therapy and motivational incentives, including providing people who remain cannabis-free with something pleasurable.

Although there are no medications currently approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weed withdrawal, other medications effectively alleviate withdrawal symptoms.

Whether an individual chooses an inpatient or outpatient detox option, these medications can include anti-nausea tablets or pain relief for headaches.

Doctors may suggest gradually tapering off weed to decrease withdrawal symptoms instead of suddenly stopping.

Tips for the Best THC Detox Methods

Detoxing from any drug is physically and emotionally challenging. However, with appropriate help and support, long-term recovery is possible.

During detox, it is generally helpful to have a variety of supportive measures in place. 

These techniques include:

staying hydrated.

taking hot baths to soothe the body and mind.

eating a healthy, varied diet.

limiting or eliminating caffeine to ease anxiety and irregular sleep.

regularly exercising to improve body and brain health.

After detoxing from weed, joining a support community such as Marijuana Anonymous can be beneficial. These groups can offer long-term support in the days, weeks, and months following the initial detox. Being part of a supportive, non-judgmental community will also help you remain on the right path and maintain sobriety.

If you decide to detox alone without medical support, it’s crucial to create a healthy and safe living environment and be mindful of what triggers might arise that could lead you to use again. Getting rid of any marijuana paraphernalia, avoiding people and places associated with using the drug, and being mindful of mental and physical health can be the key to a successful detox.

Although some people manage to detox successfully alone and stay sober, a medically supervised detox is advised for individuals living with co-occurring disorders. This can include addictions to other substances, such as benzodiazepines or alcohol, or mental health conditions, all of which can exacerbate withdrawal symptoms.

Why Choose NP Addiction Clinic?

Why our St. Lucie County rehab and mental health center is right for you and your loved ones.

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24-Hour Support

We are dedicated to helping people heal, recover and live better lives, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Count on us to be there when you need us most. 

On-Site Detox

Unlike most facilities, we provide a complete, in-house safe and comfortable medical detox.We care for you from start to finish.
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Mental Health Treatment Pros

We are experts in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction and much more. Our mental health expertise is above and beyond the norm.
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Aftercare and Alumni Support

Our aftercare, alumni support and MAT programs are second to none. We’re invested in your recovery and wellness for the long haul. 

Let’s Talk Today

The Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic is committed to delivering the best mental health and addiction treatment available. We can help you or the one you love too, but you need to make the first move. Call us now at (888) 574-3506 or send us a message using this form.

Samantha Kelly​

Director of National Business Development & Admissions Coordinator

I am a dedicated and passionate professional with extensive experience in business development Admissions and marketing. I have an incredible passion for showing others that there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel if someone truly wants it.
Being in recovery myself I understand the struggles of addiction and alcoholism. I Started this Career path in 2009. With multiple years of experience, I bring a multi-faceted approach and am always seeking new ways to make a difference in the lives of those I work with.

Kim L. Buckner

Facilitator

As a Substance Abuse Motivational Speaker, Pastor, Peer Advocate, and Facilitator. Kim helps clients avoid relapse by understanding their triggers. Those people, places and things that can cause craving, as well as internal triggers like feelings, thoughts, or emotions. Kim also clients with identifying and building healthy relationships now that they’re clean and sober.

Kim’s background includes extensive experience as a motivational speaker and work in faith-based organizations helping youth and adults alike. He says he is motivated by giving back to the community, understanding, and not judging who she comes into contact with. Kim’s favorite quote is by Dr. Raymond Johnson: “The respect given to others rebounds to the giver to deny the scared in the Other is to deny it in oneself.”

Caty Burns

Clinician

Caty graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minors in Counseling and History. Throughout her undergrad, she worked at the local CASA program, supporting volunteers advocating for children who had experienced abuse and neglect. Caty worked for seven years at a community mental health center (CMHC), partnering with children, adults, and families.

During those seven years, she taught life and coping skills as well as behavior management, provided case management and peer recovery services, and facilitated treatment teams that included the client, family, providers, and community members. I have also worked at an IOP providing group therapy services. She is currently working towards my Master of Social Work.

In her free time, Caty enjoys reading, especially historical fiction, spending time outdoors and having movie nights with her family. Disney World is her happy place, and she dreams of living among the elephants.

Madison Knowles

Mental Health Therapist

My name is Madison Knowles, I am a Mental health therapist at NPAC. I am a single-mother of two and I have a daughter who is globally delayed and has been diagnosed with autism. I have been in this industry since I was 16 years old, as I was fascinated with human behavior. I obtained my masters in applied behavioral analysis and started off working with people with disabilities. I then found my love for counseling when I worked with juveniles who had mental health and substance use issues. I then decided to go back for my mental health therapy license after that and working in a forensic treatment center. I went on to obtain my therapy credentials and since 2017, I have also been working on my PhD in forensic psychology in which I am currently working on my dissertation. I am inspired by change and how resilient people can be. My favorite inspirational quote is “Some will, Some won’t, So what, NEXT!!!” This quote has inspired me to try, try, and try again no matter how hard life gets, someone will give you a chance eventually. As a therapist at NPAC, I have been given the opportunity to work with diverse populations such as in substance use and mental health and I am known for my work with people on the schizophrenic spectrum as well as with other clients with other severe conditions including personality disorders.

Megan Carmona, LMHC

Lead Therapist

Our Lead Therapist, Megan, is a bilingual Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in working with adults who struggle with addiction, anxiety, depression, and trauma. As Lead Therapist, she provides individual, family, and group therapy sessions to our clients.  Megan says “I am very passionate about therapy, especially about supporting my clients in exploring their strengths and identity. My goal is to provide individuals with the tools that can help them achieve independence in coping with their challenges and facilitating personal development.” In her free time, Megan enjoys watching docu-series and playing video games with her family. Her dream is to own acres of land so she can care for vulnerable animals, especially old dogs, cats, and horses. 

Kristen Bensley

Primary Clinician

As Primary Clinician, Kristen works with all aspects of our clinical team, from case management to primary therapy.  She has broad experience working in the mental health field. Prior to joining our team at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic, Kristen was part of the team awarded the Evernorth Behavioral Health Center of Excellence Designation by Cigna. She says her motivation is to help people rediscover who they are and become excited about the future and all the possibilities life offers. Kristen’s favorite quote is: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Ronn Daigle, MSW

Therapist, Utilization Review Clinician

Ronn Daigle services as a Therapist and Utilization Review Clinician at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has been working in the field of substance use disorder treatment since 2011, with experience in all facility-based levels of care. Ronn earned, both an Associate of Arts in Psychology (2013) and Bachelor of Science in Human Services, with an Addiction Studies Concentration (2015) from Indian River State College. 

Ronn additionally earned a Master of Social Work degree in 2021 and is a current Registered Clinical Social Work Intern working toward licensure (LCSW). He describes himself as detail oriented, and solution focused.

Ronn says: “There is nothing more fulfilling than working with someone who doesn’t believe in himself or herself, and being there in the moment with them when the belief begins. We work with individuals who come to us at a point and time in their respective lives where they do not believe that change for others is possible; let alone for themselves…throughout the process they eventually come to a point where they realize that change is not only possible, but achievable.”

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI

Assistant Clinical Director

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI is the Assistant Clinical Director at Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic who specializes in the treatment of LGBTQ, addiction, as well as mental health disorders ranging from depression and anxiety, to Bipolar Disorder, trauma, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and eating disorders. Erika utilizes a number of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness amongst others. Erika has been in practice for close to a decade and has earned her license in Mental Health Counseling, as well as being a Master’s Certified Addiction Professional. Erika has worked with many individuals including couples counseling and family therapy, and is fluent in Spanish.
 
Throughout my years of practice, one of the things I enjoy helping people find is inner peace. Whether you are in the deepest parts of depression, overrun by your anxiety, controlled by your addiction, or there are certain issues in your life that are negatively impacting your ability to function, and have a happy, healthy life, maybe now is the time to talk about it. I am a big believer in empowerment, working hard in therapy, and utilizing different techniques to help you regain that inner peace that may have been lost along the way. I want to work with you as a team because with two people, absolutely everything is possible. I want to be there as a therapist, to help build you up, support you, but also help you be honest with yourself and accountable. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, my biggest goal for you is going to be simple….for you to no longer need my services. Why? Because if you no longer need my services, it means that you have regained your peace, you have regained your strength, you have regained your confidence. It means that you now have the tools to address any issues that try to derail you, and best of all, you will have the insight to overcome and thrive. So let’s begin this journey together, and get you to the place you want to be, emotionally, mentally, psychologically, and in your sobriety.

Aurelio Ayuso, MSW, LCSW, CAP, ICADC

Clinical Director

Aurelio has worked with those that suffer from the disease of addiction in adults and juveniles alike for over 10 years, beginning in the United States Navy where he proudly served for 20 years, working with those that were succumbed by addiction due to trauma and continuing his passion for helping those in need locally in Central Florida.

He specializes in both Addictions and Trauma, he has worked first as a therapist then as the clinical supervisor to both the Juvenile and Adult Drug Court programs in Brevard County. Aurelio has been instrumental in developing substance abuse treatment programs directly tailored to help those that also suffer from complex trauma due to their addiction. He has been recognized by several organizations for his forward thinking and ability to tailor treatment to individuals in the most restrictive environments.

Mr. Ayuso received his Graduate Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as Certified Addictions Professional in the State of Florida, and Internationally Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor. Aurelio specializes in the treatment of Addiction, Trauma, and Abandonment using strength based strategies deeply rooted in Solution Focused, and Mindfulness Therapies. At the Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic he passionately develops holistic curriculums that foster the belief that through addressing the mind, body, and spirit together, the Disease of Addiction can be addressed successfully.

Robert Lehmann, MHSA

Chief Operating Officer

Bob Lehmann is the Chief Operating Officer at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has a Master’s Degree in Human Services Administration with a concentration in Mental Health Administration and over twenty-five years of experience as a senior executive at addiction and mental health treatment facilities.

One of the reasons for his commitment to excellence in addiction treatment was his experience related to family members who suffered from the disease of addiction. Bob has been actively involved in community organizations throughout his career. Recently he was one of the founders of the Florida Addiction Treatment Coalition (FATC) and is its present Vice President. FATC was designed to bring together treatment executives in Florida to advocate on behalf of treatment facilities and the clients they serve adhering to a foundation of integrity and service excellence.

Jose R. Toledo, M.D.

Medical Director

A well-rounded and accomplished individual, Jose R. Toledo, M.D., is the Medical Director of Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a neurologist with 25 years of experience and has been in private practice since 1991 on the Treasure Coast of Florida. He completed his neurology training at the State University of New York and his Fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh in Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology.

He also completed 24 months of acute inpatient psychiatry at the Western Missouri Mental Health Center, University of Missouri in Kansas City. In 2008, Dr. Toledo participated in and was certified in the continuing medical education activity entitled “Buprenorphine and Office-Based Treatment of Opioid Dependence” from The Medical University of South Carolina during which began his quest to found and head Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a brain specialist with particular competence in addiction medicine and out-patient detoxification treatment and integrates the fields seamlessly. He is certified to prescribe Buprenorphine (Suboxone). He incorporates his background in neurology into the addiction field. Dr. Toledo is member/fellow of The American Medical Association, The Florida Medical Association and The American Society of Addiction Medicine