Marijuana Abuse Treatment Clinic

San Juan Capestrano Hospital is the premier addiction and mental health treatment provider in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. With evidence-based solutions and proven therapies, individuals can get the care they need to heal from marijuana addiction and other substance use disorders.

Learn About Marijuana Addiction Treatment

Treatment for marijuana addiction at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

Marijuana is more commonly known as pot, weed, herb, or hashish and is the dried leaves of the cannabis plant. When it is consumed, most commonly through inhalation or orally through edibles, it usually produces a euphoric effect and a general sense of relaxation. While many people believe that using marijuana is quite harmless, the reality is that the extensive use of marijuana can be associated with a series of adverse physical and behavioral effects. For example, those who abuse or are addicted to marijuana tend to have difficulty performing academically and fulfilling their responsibilities at work, and they may have multiple interactions with the police.

At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, we recognize how difficult it is to overcome an addiction to substances such as marijuana. However, through the marijuana treatment services and synthetic marijuana treatment services offered at our hospital, we can help you overcome the substance use disorder you or your loved one might be experiencing and provide you with the necessary coping skills to help prevent a possible relapse in the future. Let San Juan Capestrano Hospital be your provider to help you gain control of your marijuana addiction and start a sober life.

Since its creation in 1988, San Juan Capestrano Hospital, a private psychiatric center with 172 beds, has been one of the main providers of mental health treatment in Puerto Rico. Our multidisciplinary treatment team is composed of attentive, compassionate mental health professionals who offer the highest quality of services and individualized attention to each patient, helping them return to their daily life with a greater sense of emotional and physical well-being. If you, a friend, or a loved one is struggling with the symptoms of a substance use disorder, the caring team at San Juan Capestrano Hospital is ready to help you begin your journey to recovery.

How to Help a Loved One

Helping a family member or loved one get treatment for marijuana addiction

It can be extremely difficult to recognize the signs of marijuana abuse or if someone you love is struggling with an addiction to marijuana. However, if you have the slightest suspicion that a loved one is abusing marijuana, it is necessary to take action because any type of drug abuse or addiction can cause serious problems in a person’s life. To help you determine if your loved one has a problem with marijuana use, here are some signs to look for:

  • They have developed a tolerance to marijuana, which might make your loved one smoke more marijuana than they smoked before.
  • They are unable to control the amount of marijuana they use, and, despite attempts to do so, they have not been able to stop using it.
  • They spend more and more time using marijuana and less time with the family or participating in activities that they once enjoyed.
  • They keep smoking marijuana even though they are experiencing a multitude of different problems in various aspects of their life.
  • They start neglecting responsibilities at work or school.
  • They lack the desire to take care of themselves.

If you recognize any of these symptoms in your loved one, consider seeking professional help to find the treatment options that might benefit your loved one most. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the greater the risk that your loved one will experience adverse effects of substance abuse.

Why Consider Treatment

Why consider getting marijuana addiction treatment at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

Each time a substance such as marijuana enters the body, it can affect a person both physically and mentally. Contrary to popular belief, marijuana smoke can actually damage the lungs just as much as cigarette smoke, so people who abuse marijuana are typically at a higher risk of respiratory problems such as lung infections or chronic coughs. Using marijuana also increases the heart rate for several hours, so regular, repeat use can increase an individual’s risk for heart attack or stroke.

Marijuana abuse can also cause some adverse mental health effects. People who develop a dependence on marijuana tend to feel less motivated, have trouble with memory, and are generally less satisfied with their lives. These individuals are also typically at a higher risk of abusing other drugs or alcohol and are more likely to develop depression.

In many cases, people who are struggling with marijuana use can be treated on an outpatient basis. However, there are times when a more intensive level of treatment is needed. In those cases, inpatient treatment or a hospitalization program might be beneficial for patients who need 24/7 emotional and physical support, including continuous medical supervision. This type of treatment provides a safe environment where patients can participate in various therapeutic interventions that focus on helping them move beyond their addiction so that they can learn to be successful in maintaining sobriety. The skilled staff at San Juan Capestrano Hospital can help you or your loved one find the level of care that is best for your individual needs

Types of Marijuana Addiction Treatment Offered at San Juan Capestrano Hospital

Learn about the therapies used in the treatment of marijuana addiction at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, we work with each patient to create an individually customized treatment plan to meet their unique goals. This plan details each patient’s specific course of treatment, including recommendations for aftercare services, ensuring that they experience complete continuity in care.

Once admitted to one of our programs, patients can participate in a series of treatment methods that focus on evidence-based techniques and principles, which might include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and the 12-Step model for recovery. The following are some of the treatment options that the caring and compassionate staff at San Juan Capestrano Hospital might employ to help patients find relief from substance use disorders:

Medication management services: For people who might be experiencing the symptoms of a mental health disorder while living with marijuana addiction, certain medications, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or antipsychotics, can be helpful during treatment. Our qualified psychiatrists determine if a patient needs medication and then prescribe and oversee any medication interventions that become part of a patient’s treatment plan. These services are in place so that each patient can receive the medication they need if it is considered necessary for their care.

Individual therapy: All patients who participate in our hospitalization programs participate in individual therapy sessions four times a week. Individual therapy is provided so that a patient can process their thoughts and emotions with a member of our staff in a safe environment. This might include the reasons why the individual started using marijuana and accepting the effects of the individual’s substance use.

Group therapy: We offer a variety of group therapy sessions that allow patients to find peer support and opportunities to practice the skills they have learned while in recovery. These sessions can be very beneficial because they help participants see that they are not alone in their struggles with addiction. Some of the topics covered in these groups include techniques for managing stress, improving communication, improving self-esteem, coping with grief and loss, and trauma support. These groups are offered several times a week to maximize the benefits of the treatment offered in a group setting.

Family therapy: Family therapy is offered to patients during hospitalization so that they can receive broad support from the people who care for them the most. During family therapy sessions, patients and their loved ones can address conflicts and improve communication. The goal is to heal any damage caused by the effects of substance use and improve family relationships moving forward.

At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, we also offer a series of other therapeutic interventions as a way to treat the people who come to our hospital to receive care for substance use disorders such as marijuana addiction. The following therapeutic interventions and groups are also part of our treatment process:

  • Anger management
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Psychoeducation
  • Recreational therapy
  • Management of medical conditions
  • Crisis management
  • Occupational therapy
  • Infection control

Treatment Levels Offered at San Juan Capestrano Hospital

Learn about the levels of treatment offered for marijuana addiction at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

In order to meet the diverse needs of individuals who are living with mental health disorders and substance use challenges, San Juan Capestrano Hospital offers different levels of care and specialized programming options. Our hospital has separate inpatient programs for adolescents and adults, which treat a wide variety of mental health disorders and chemical dependency issues, such as marijuana abuse and addiction. Our specially trained staff will determine what level of care is best suited for you or your loved one during an initial psychiatric evaluation.

Partial hospitalization program (PHP): We offer partial hospitalization programs for both adolescents and adult populations. The adolescent program serves young people ages 13-17 who are struggling with mental health challenges. While in this program, young people participate in a series of therapeutic interventions and can return home at the end of the day to be with their loved ones. The adult program is structured similarly and helps adults heal from a wide variety of mental health conditions. Group therapy is the primary method of care.

Intensive outpatient program (IOP): Our hospital also has an intensive outpatient program for adults age 18 and older who struggle with substance use disorders. This program is designed to help individuals continue the recovery process and maintain sobriety after completing inpatient services. The groups available in this program are organized in stages so that patients can practice the tools and skills learned in this program while living in their respective communities.

The staff at San Juan Capestrano Hospital is dedicated to helping you or your loved one overcome your mental health or addiction challenges. Your path to recovery from marijuana addiction or other substance use disorders can start at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.

My severe depression had taken over my life. I’m so thankful for San Juan Capestrano Hospital for giving me the strength to start living my life again to the fullest.

– Luis S.