5 Tips for Staying Sober
You’ve done the work to become clean and sober, and you want to do what you can to stay that way. Here are five great tips that will help you safeguard your freedom from a substance use disorder.
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Certain high-stress jobs are linked to higher rates of addiction. The pressures from long hours, trauma, and expectations can push workers toward substance misuse.
- Healthcare workers like doctors and nurses often turn to substances to cope with emotional stress from long shifts and patient deaths.
- Lawyers face a culture of perfectionism and high expectations, leading some to misuse substances to handle the pressure.
- Construction workers and miners may develop addictions due to physical strain and reliance on pain medications.
- Sales professionals face social pressure and stress to meet targets, which can lead to alcohol misuse.
- Military, police, and firefighters are at risk due to trauma and untreated mental health issues like PTSD.
These high-stress professions—from healthcare to law enforcement—create environments
where substance misuse can take root. Long hours, constant pressure, and exposure to trauma make it all too easy for individuals to rely on substances to cope.
At Northview Wellness, we offer tailored treatment programs to help professionals break the cycle of addiction. With personalized outpatient, detox, therapy, individual and group counseling, and stress management services, we support lasting recovery and a healthier, more balanced life. Contact us today and take the first step toward a healthier future.
What Are the Symptoms of CHS?
The symptoms of CHS usually show up after using marijuana for a long time, and they can get pretty distressing. There are three main stages:
- Early Stage: This is when you might start feeling mild nausea and discomfort. It might seem like a regular stomach issue at first, so it can be easy to overlook. Over time, though, it gets worse.
- Hyperemetic Stage (Severe Vomiting): This is when the severe vomiting kicks in. People can throw up several times a day and not feel any relief, even after vomiting. This stage can last for hours or days and can lead to dehydration and weight loss.
- Recovery Stage: If someone stops using marijuana, the vomiting typically stops too. When they quit using marijuana for a while, their symptoms go away. But if they start using marijuana again, the vomiting can come back.
The exact reason why marijuana causes CHS isn’t fully understood yet. However, researchers think it has something to do with how the body reacts to the chemicals in marijuana, especially THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main ingredient that causes the “high.”
THC affects the brain’s endocannabinoid system, which helps control things like mood, appetite, and pain. Some experts think that using marijuana for a long time might mess with this system, which then causes the intense vomiting symptoms in CHS. This may explain why someone who has used marijuana for years might suddenly develop severe nausea and vomiting.
Treatment and Prevention
The good news is that the most effective way to stop CHS is to stop using marijuana completely. While it sounds simple, quitting can be tough, especially for people who have used marijuana regularly for many years.
In addition to stopping marijuana, doctors might treat CHS symptoms by giving fluids through an IV to help with dehydration, using anti-nausea medications, and managing pain. In some cases, a hospital stay might be needed to help recover from the effects of excessive vomiting.
How Common is CHS?
CHS isn’t something that happens to every marijuana user, but it is becoming more common, especially in places where marijuana is legal. It typically affects people who use marijuana frequently—usually daily or almost daily—for several years.
Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a serious condition that can affect people who use marijuana regularly. It causes extreme nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and other health problems. While the exact cause is still being studied, it seems to be connected to how marijuana interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system. The best way to treat CHS is to stop using marijuana, which usually helps stop the symptoms. Although CHS is uncommon, marijuana users should be aware of it and seek medical help if they experience severe nausea or vomiting.
If you or a loved one is experiencing discomfort or adverse effects from Cannabis, know that you’re not alone. At Northview Wellness Center, we specialize in helping individuals understand and overcome habits that are no longer helpful to you. Our compassionate team provides personalized treatment plans to help you regain control and build healthier coping strategies. Contact us today and take the first step toward a healthier future.
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