The short answer
Cannabis dependency treatment begins with a screening. A clinician checks symptoms against 11 criteria for cannabis use disorder in the DSM-5. Two or more criteria within 12 months support a diagnosis. Most people receive outpatient care. Therapy is the core of treatment. No medication holds FDA approval for cannabis use disorder.
How common it is
National Institute on Drug Abuse figures put cannabis use disorder at about 3 in 10 people who use cannabis. Risk is higher with early use. About 1 in 6 people who start before age 18 develop a disorder, compared with about 1 in 10 adults who start later.
Levels of care
Outpatient
One or two sessions per week. Sessions run 45 to 60 minutes. This level covers most cannabis cases. Care lasts 8 to 16 weeks in many programs.
Intensive outpatient
Nine or more hours per week, split across three to five days. Programs suit people who need structure but live at home. Evening groups exist for people who work.
Residential
Stays run 28 to 90 days. Cannabis use alone does not meet the criteria for this level in most cases. Programs admit people with co-occurring conditions such as opioid use, severe depression, or unstable housing.
Therapy types with evidence
- Cognitive behavioral therapy. The focus is triggers, coping skills, and relapse plans. Trials show a drop in use days.
- Motivational enhancement therapy. Two to four sessions. The goal is to build the person's own reason to stop.
- Contingency management. Vouchers or cash rewards follow negative urine tests. This approach has the strongest effect size in trials.
- Family and group therapy. Both add social support and accountability.
Withdrawal timeline
Withdrawal has a DSM-5 code of its own. Symptoms start 24 to 72 hours after the last use. Peak intensity comes in the first week. Sleep problems, irritability, anxiety, appetite loss, and craving are common. Physical symptoms include headache, chills, and stomach pain. Symptoms ease by week two. Some sleep issues last a month.
Medication
No drug carries FDA approval for cannabis use disorder. Researchers have tested N-acetylcysteine, gabapentin, buspirone, topiramate, and varenicline. Results are mixed. Some clinicians prescribe gabapentin off label for sleep and anxiety during withdrawal. Ask about side effects and interactions.
Cost and first step
Outpatient therapy costs $100 to $250 per session in the US without insurance. Therapy and psychiatry sit under most ACA and Medicaid plans. The SAMHSA National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, is free and runs 24 hours a day. Callers get local referrals. A primary care doctor can also run a screening and start a referral.