Treatment continuum
Marijuana rehab.
Residential and outpatient treatment for cannabis use disorder. Modern high-potency cannabis is a different clinical picture than what most adults remember — daily heavy use can produce withdrawal, dependence, and meaningful functional impairment.
Overview
Marijuana rehab is the structured, professionally supervised treatment of cannabis use disorder across the full continuum of care. The clinical picture of cannabis use has changed substantially over the past two decades: average THC potency in commercial cannabis products has risen from roughly 4% in the early 1990s to 15–25% (with concentrates exceeding 70%), and daily heavy use can now produce a withdrawal syndrome, functional impairment, and meaningful dependence that did not exist at the same prevalence in earlier eras. SILC Health operates licensed cannabis use disorder treatment programs in California and Georgia, accepts most major commercial insurance, and provides residential structure when daily heavy use, polysubstance use, or co-occurring mental health conditions require it. Residential treatment is most clearly indicated for clients with concentrate use, co-occurring psychiatric conditions (particularly psychotic-spectrum vulnerability or severe anxiety), or polysubstance presentations.
Medically reviewed by Peter Scheid, MD
Medical Director, SILC Health
Clinically reviewed by Alexandra Truman, LMFT
Clinical Director, Substance Use Services — SILC Health
Last reviewed: June 16, 2026
Section 1
What this is.
Cannabis use disorder is a recognized DSM-5 diagnosis with severity grades from mild to severe. The diagnostic criteria parallel other substance use disorders: impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological criteria (tolerance and withdrawal). Daily heavy use of high-potency cannabis routinely produces measurable tolerance and a clinically meaningful withdrawal syndrome — irritability, sleep disturbance, decreased appetite, anxiety, depressed mood, restlessness, and physical symptoms — that typically peaks within the first week of cessation and resolves over 2–4 weeks.
The shift from low-potency plant cannabis to high-potency products (concentrates, dabs, vape cartridges, edibles delivering precise high doses) has materially changed the clinical picture. Cannabis-related emergency department visits, cannabis-induced psychosis admissions, and cannabis use disorder diagnoses have all risen substantially since legalization expanded access. Adolescent and young-adult use of high-potency cannabis is particularly concerning given evidence linking high-THC use to increased risk of psychotic disorders in vulnerable individuals.
Marijuana rehab is most often appropriate for clients with daily heavy use that is producing functional impairment, polysubstance use involving cannabis and other substances, co-occurring mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, PTSD, psychotic-spectrum disorders), cannabis-induced psychosis presentations, or repeated unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop use without structured support. Mild cannabis use disorder may respond to outpatient programming alone; moderate to severe presentations or those with co-occurring conditions typically benefit from residential structure.
15–25%
Average THC potency in modern commercial cannabis flower, up from roughly 4% in the early 1990s. Cannabis concentrates and extracts routinely exceed 70% THC.
DSM-5 diagnosis
Cannabis use disorder is a recognized DSM-5 diagnosis with severity grades from mild to severe, paralleling other substance use disorders.
Section 2
The continuum of care.
1. Medical detox (5–10 days, ASAM Level 3.7)
Cannabis detox at SILC is medically managed with 24/7 nursing and physician oversight. Withdrawal symptoms are managed pharmacologically; vitals and cognitive status are monitored continuously; complications are escalated immediately. Detox is the foundation — the work that follows is harder without it. See more →
2. Residential treatment (30 / 60 / 90+ days, ASAM Level 3.1–3.5)
Residential — sometimes called "inpatient" — is the longest and most intensive phase. Clients live on-site, participate in structured clinical programming daily, attend individual and group therapy, work with family when appropriate, build recovery skills, and stabilize physically and emotionally. Length of stay is clinically determined; most clients with moderate-to-severe substance use disorder benefit from at least 60 days.
3. Partial Hospitalization (PHP) — day treatment (ASAM Level 2.5)
PHP is the first step down from 24-hour residential care. Clients spend most of the day in clinical programming (typically 5–6 days per week, 5–6 hours per day) but return to sober living or stable housing each night. PHP supports reintegration into community life while still providing intensive clinical structure.
4. Intensive Outpatient (IOP) — 9–15 hours weekly (ASAM Level 2.1)
IOP runs 9–15 hours per week across 3 days, allowing return to work, school, or family responsibilities. Clinical focus shifts toward relapse prevention, ongoing therapy, and community reintegration. IOP often runs in parallel with recovery fellowship participation.
5. Outpatient + aftercare (indefinite)
Standard outpatient — individual therapy, psychiatric medication management when indicated, group therapy with a community provider — extends after IOP and continues indefinitely. Aftercare also includes recovery fellowship participation, sober living when appropriate, and ongoing alumni programming.
Section 3
Who this is for.
Cannabis use disorder is treated under the DSM-5 framework with severity graded by criteria met (mild: 2–3, moderate: 4–5, severe: 6+). Tolerance and withdrawal are pharmacological criteria that apply to daily heavy cannabis use in a way they often did not for occasional low-potency use in earlier decades.
Residential marijuana rehab is most clearly indicated for: daily heavy concentrate or high-potency cannabis use, polysubstance use involving cannabis and other substances (alcohol, stimulants, opioids, benzodiazepines), co-occurring mental health conditions that complicate outpatient management, cannabis-induced psychosis history, environments where structured 24-hour separation from cannabis access is clinically necessary, or repeated unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop use through outpatient means.
Mild to moderate cannabis use disorder without co-occurring conditions may respond well to outpatient programming, individual therapy, motivational interviewing, and structured behavioral approaches. A clinical screen with a SILC admissions clinician identifies the appropriate level of care — the conversation is free and carries no commitment.
Section 4
A day in residential.
Residential cannabis rehab is structured but not regimented. Most days at a SILC facility follow a clinical rhythm designed to balance therapeutic work, peer connection, physical wellness, and rest.
- •Morning: Wake, vitals check during detox phase, mindfulness or meditation, breakfast, community meeting.
- •Mid-morning to lunch: Individual therapy session or process group; psychiatric or medical check-ins when relevant.
- •Afternoon: Skill-building group (CBT, DBT, relapse prevention), or experiential work (movement, art, equine therapy depending on facility), or family session when scheduled.
- •Late afternoon: Physical wellness (exercise, beach walk at coastal California facilities, fitness room), peer time, dinner.
- •Evening: Recovery fellowship meeting (AA, SMART, or alternative), reflection group, journaling, rest.
Family communication is supported per the client's preference. Family programming — visits, family therapy sessions, and structured education on supporting recovery — is clinically encouraged once initial stabilization is complete, typically after the first 5–10 days.
Withdrawal syndrome
DSM-5 recognizes cannabis withdrawal as a clinical syndrome: irritability, sleep disturbance, decreased appetite, anxiety, depressed mood, restlessness, and physical symptoms peaking within the first week of cessation.
Psychosis risk
High-potency cannabis use is associated with increased risk of psychotic disorders in vulnerable individuals — a particular concern for adolescents and young adults.
Section 5
Insurance + cost.
Most major commercial insurance plans cover residential treatment at SILC facilities, including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross / BCBS plans, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Surest, MultiPlan / PHCS, ConnectiCare, Oxford / Harvard Pilgrim, NYSHIP (Empire Plan), Empire BCBS, and Prairie States Enterprises. Network status with any given carrier varies by SILC facility and the patient's specific plan.
Out-of-state insurance is commonly accepted under most plans' out-of-state benefit provisions — Empire BCBS (NY), BCBS Texas, BCBS Florida, Aetna nationwide plans, and UnitedHealthcare nationwide plans typically cover treatment at SILC California facilities.
The SILC admissions team verifies your specific benefits, in plain language, before any clinical commitment. Most insured clients pay a manageable share after coverage; private-pay and financing options are available for clients without insurance or whose plans don't cover residential treatment at the clinically indicated level.
See all accepted insurance carriers →Section 6
Where SILC operates.
SILC Health operates licensed substance use treatment programs in two regions: coastal California (San Diego County) and North Georgia (Towns County). Medical detox is available at Cove Detox (Carlsbad), Leucadia Detox (Encinitas), Seaside Detox (Oceanside), Harbor Detox (Dana Point), and Riverfront Recovery Center (Hiawassee, GA). Residential addiction treatment is anchored by Southern California Recovery Centers (Carlsbad) and Riverfront Recovery Center (Hiawassee, GA).
Roughly two-thirds of SILC's California admissions originate from outside California — the climate, the recovery community, the distance from triggers at home, and the depth of California's continuing-care ecosystem are the most common reasons families choose to travel here for treatment. The Riverfront catchment skews more regional — drive-distance from Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and surrounding states.
See all SILC facilities →Related
Dig deeper.
First step
Cannabis Detox
Medical management of cannabis withdrawal — timeline, medications, and what to expect.
The diagnosis
Marijuana rehab
Clinical overview, signs and symptoms, and how this condition is diagnosed.
The setting
Residential Treatment
What residential treatment looks like — daily schedule, therapies, length of stay.
Coverage
Insurance Verification
How SILC verifies your benefits — including out-of-state coverage.
The process
What to Expect
From the first phone call through arrival at the facility — step by step.
Co-occurring
Dual Diagnosis
Treating substance use and mental health conditions together.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
- Is marijuana actually addictive?
- Yes. Cannabis use disorder is a recognized DSM-5 diagnosis, and daily heavy use of modern high-potency cannabis routinely produces tolerance, withdrawal, and functional impairment. Roughly 30% of people who use cannabis develop some degree of cannabis use disorder; the rate is higher for those who begin use as adolescents.
- What does marijuana withdrawal look like?
- Cannabis withdrawal typically begins 1–3 days after stopping daily use, peaks within the first week, and resolves over 2–4 weeks. Symptoms include irritability, sleep disturbance (insomnia, vivid dreams), decreased appetite, anxiety, depressed mood, restlessness, and physical symptoms (headaches, sweating, abdominal discomfort). The syndrome is uncomfortable but rarely medically dangerous.
- Why is residential treatment necessary for marijuana use disorder?
- For mild cases, it may not be. Residential treatment is most clearly indicated for daily heavy concentrate use, polysubstance use, co-occurring mental health conditions (particularly psychotic-spectrum vulnerability), or environments where structured 24-hour separation from cannabis access is needed. A clinical screen determines the appropriate level of care.
- How long is residential marijuana rehab?
- Length of stay is clinically determined by ASAM criteria, the client's specific needs, and co-occurring conditions. Cannabis-only presentations typically require shorter residential stays (14–30 days) than polysubstance or psychiatric co-occurring presentations (30–60+ days). The clinical team reviews appropriateness of continued residential care at structured intervals.
- What therapies are used in marijuana rehab?
- Evidence-based modalities include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (specifically validated for cannabis use disorder), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) when emotional regulation is a target, contingency management approaches, family systems therapy, and trauma-informed care for clients with co-occurring trauma. No FDA-approved medication is currently available specifically for cannabis use disorder.
- What about cannabis-induced psychosis?
- Cannabis-induced psychosis is a recognized clinical phenomenon — high-potency cannabis use can produce paranoid, persecutory, or hallucinatory symptoms that may persist past acute intoxication. Most psychosis resolves with sustained abstinence; some clients require psychiatric medication during the acute phase. SILC's medical team manages this carefully and integrates psychiatric care when indicated.
- Does SILC accept insurance for marijuana rehab?
- Most major commercial plans cover cannabis use disorder treatment at SILC at multiple levels of care, including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross / BCBS, Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Surest, MultiPlan / PHCS, ConnectiCare, Oxford / Harvard Pilgrim, NYSHIP, Empire BCBS, and Prairie States Enterprises. SILC verifies benefits in plain language during the admissions conversation.
- Can I use medical marijuana while in residential treatment?
- No. SILC residential programs are substance-free environments, and that includes cannabis regardless of medical marijuana legal status. For clients using cannabis under a medical marijuana program, the admissions conversation includes a discussion of the underlying condition being treated and a plan for managing that condition through medically supervised alternatives.
- Does SILC treat cannabis use disorder with co-occurring conditions?
- Yes. Cannabis use disorder co-occurs frequently with anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, and psychotic-spectrum disorders. SILC programs treat both presentations concurrently. For clients whose cannabis use began as self-medication for an underlying psychiatric condition, treating that condition is part of the recovery plan.
- What happens after marijuana rehab ends?
- Continuing care typically includes outpatient programming (PHP, then IOP, then standard outpatient), individual therapy, recovery fellowship participation (Marijuana Anonymous, SMART, or alternatives), and ongoing psychiatric care for co-occurring conditions. SILC coordinates direct handoff with home-state providers including written discharge summary, clinical notes (with client authorization), and warm introductions to outpatient teams.
Talk to admissions
Recovery starts with a call.
One call confirms benefits, walks through what arrival looks like, and sets a clear plan from detox through aftercare.