Cannabis addiction treatment helps people address marijuana use that has become difficult to control or has begun interfering with their health, relationships, work, education, or emotional well-being. Although cannabis is legal for adult recreational use in California, legality does not mean that every pattern of use is harmless or manageable. Some people can use cannabis without developing a disorder, while others experience tolerance, cravings, withdrawal, repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop, or continued use despite significant consequences. Rainbow Hill Recovery provides adult outpatient cannabis addiction treatment in Los Angeles within an LGBTQIA+-affirming environment that addresses substance use, mental health, trauma, relationships, and the personal experiences that may influence recovery.
Cannabis addiction is clinically referred to as cannabis use disorder, or CUD. It develops when a person continues using cannabis even though the behavior is causing physical, psychological, social, occupational, or relationship problems. A diagnosis does not depend entirely on how many times a person uses cannabis or whether cannabis is smoked, vaped, eaten, or consumed as a concentrate. The more important questions involve control, consequences, compulsive behavior, tolerance, withdrawal, and the role cannabis has taken in the person’s daily life.
Cannabis use disorder can range from mild to severe depending on how many recognized symptoms occur within a 12-month period. Mild CUD involves two or three diagnostic symptoms, moderate CUD involves four or five, and severe CUD involves six or more. Someone does not need to lose a job, experience a medical emergency, or reach a dramatic crisis before treatment is appropriate. Recognizing a harmful pattern early may make it possible to address the problem before cannabis becomes more deeply connected to everyday routines and emotional coping.
Cannabis use and cannabis use disorder are widespread in the United States. The 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that approximately 64.2 million people aged 12 or older used marijuana during the previous year, making it the nation’s most commonly used federally illegal drug. The same survey estimated that 20.6 million people aged 12 or older had marijuana use disorder in 2024, including approximately 19.4 million adults. About 7.4% of all adults and 15.8% of young adults between ages 18 and 25 met the criteria for past-year marijuana use disorder.
The belief that cannabis cannot become addictive may prevent people from recognizing when their use has changed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately three in every 10 people who use cannabis have cannabis use disorder. Risk is not equal for everyone, and it becomes greater among people who begin using cannabis during adolescence or who use it frequently. A person may also develop physical dependence, meaning that their body adapts to regular cannabis exposure and reacts when use is reduced or stopped.
Modern cannabis products can also contain substantially more tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, than products available in earlier decades. THC is the primary cannabis compound responsible for intoxication, and higher concentrations can produce stronger effects and increase the possibility of overconsumption. Research samples analyzed by the CDC showed that average delta-9 THC concentration rose from approximately 9% in 2008 to 17% in 2017. Another study of products available through online dispensaries in three states found an average THC concentration of 22%, with some products reaching 45%.
Concentrates used through vaping or dabbing may deliver particularly high amounts of THC within a short period. These products may be marketed under names such as wax, shatter, live resin, budder, or cannabis oil, which can make their strength difficult to compare with traditional cannabis flower. Frequent exposure to potent products may increase tolerance, meaning a person needs a larger amount or a stronger product to experience the desired effect. The CDC reports that highly concentrated THC products are associated with more severe cannabis use disorder symptoms, although researchers are still studying the full long-term effects of modern high-potency products.
There is no single cause of cannabis addiction, and developing a substance use disorder is not evidence of weak character or insufficient willpower. Biological vulnerability, age at first use, frequency of use, THC potency, mental health, trauma, stress, family history, social environment, and learned coping patterns can all contribute. Cannabis may initially be used socially, recreationally, medically, or experimentally before gradually becoming a regular response to discomfort. Over time, the brain may begin associating cannabis with sleep, emotional relief, appetite, social confidence, creativity, relaxation, or escape.
Mental health symptoms can play a particularly important role in continued cannabis use. Some people use cannabis to temporarily reduce anxiety, numb traumatic memories, manage depression, cope with loneliness, or quiet racing thoughts. Others begin relying on cannabis to sleep, attend social events, eat, work creatively, or tolerate difficult emotions. Although cannabis may seem helpful in the moment, relying on it as a primary coping strategy can prevent a person from developing more sustainable ways to manage distress.
Environmental and relationship factors can also affect cannabis use. Living with people who use frequently, working in a cannabis-centered setting, having easy access to high-potency products, or spending most social time in situations where cannabis is present can make change more difficult. Relationship conflict, unemployment, academic pressure, grief, chronic stress, and isolation may also increase the urge to use. Treatment should therefore examine the person’s complete pattern rather than focusing only on the substance itself.
For LGBTQIA+ adults, substance use may also intersect with rejection, discrimination, identity concealment, family conflict, harassment, unsafe environments, or a lack of affirming community support. Cannabis may become a way to disconnect from minority stress, reduce social discomfort, cope with gender dysphoria, or manage painful experiences connected to sexual orientation or gender identity. These experiences do not define every LGBTQIA+ person, and affirming treatment should never assume that identity itself is the cause of addiction. Effective care provides space to discuss identity-related experiences when they are relevant while respecting each client’s individual history, boundaries, language, culture, and recovery goals.
Cannabis use disorder may develop slowly, making the signs difficult to notice at first. A person may view daily use as part of a routine even when cannabis has become necessary for sleeping, eating, relaxing, socializing, or feeling emotionally stable. Friends or family members may notice changes before the individual recognizes them, but outside concern alone does not establish a diagnosis. A qualified clinical assessment considers the person’s use, consequences, mental health, physical health, environment, and ability to control the behavior.
Common symptoms of cannabis use disorder include:
The presence of one sign does not automatically mean someone has cannabis use disorder. The pattern becomes more concerning when several symptoms occur repeatedly and cannabis continues to take priority over responsibilities, health, relationships, safety, or personal goals. Some people maintain employment and appear outwardly successful while privately experiencing cravings, withdrawal, secrecy, memory problems, financial strain, or repeated failed attempts to stop. An assessment can help distinguish occasional use, risky use, physical dependence, and a diagnosable substance use disorder.
Tolerance occurs when repeated cannabis exposure causes a person to need more THC to achieve an effect that previously required less. Someone may begin using stronger flower, larger edible doses, concentrated oils, or more frequent vaping sessions without immediately recognizing the change. Increasing tolerance can raise costs, intensify impairment, and make stopping more uncomfortable. It may also increase exposure to products whose precise potency or ingredients are not always easy to determine.
Cannabis withdrawal can occur when someone who uses frequently reduces or stops using. Possible symptoms include irritability, anxiety, anger, restlessness, cravings, sleep disruption, vivid dreams, reduced appetite, stomach discomfort, sweating, or shakiness. These effects may encourage a person to resume using cannabis simply to feel normal, even when they genuinely want to stop. Withdrawal symptoms should be discussed during assessment so the treatment team can help the client prepare for discomfort, sleep changes, emotional instability, and relapse risk.
Recovery involves more than removing cannabis from a daily routine. Clients may need to relearn how to sleep, relax, socialize, create, manage emotions, or tolerate boredom without immediately using THC. Treatment can help replace cannabis-centered routines with supportive relationships, meaningful activities, healthier coping strategies, and realistic plans for high-risk situations. Progress may also involve rebuilding trust, improving work or school performance, addressing financial consequences, and reconnecting with personal values.
Aftercare helps clients continue using these skills after completing a more structured phase of treatment. Rainbow Hill Recovery’s aftercare services may include regular check-ins, individual therapy, support groups, relapse-prevention education, community resources, and ongoing recovery planning. Continued support gives clients opportunities to address renewed cravings, stress, relationship changes, or mental health symptoms before they develop into larger problems. A lapse can be used to identify gaps in a recovery plan rather than being treated as proof that meaningful change is impossible.
Cannabis directly affects brain functions involved in memory, attention, learning, decision-making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time. These effects can interfere with academic performance, work responsibilities, driving, communication, and the ability to follow through on plans. People with cannabis use disorder may experience greater difficulty with attention, memory, and learning, particularly when use is frequent or involves potent products. The extent of impairment varies according to dose, THC concentration, method of use, frequency, age, and whether other substances are also involved.
Cannabis can also affect the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The CDC reports that cannabis can temporarily increase heart rate and blood pressure after use, while smoked cannabis can damage lung tissue and small blood vessels. Using cannabis before driving can slow reaction time, impair coordination, distort perception, and reduce decision-making ability. Combining cannabis with alcohol or other substances can produce greater impairment than using either substance alone.
Mental health and cannabis use can influence one another in complex ways. Cannabis use has been associated with anxiety, depression, social anxiety, and schizophrenia, although researchers continue to examine causation, individual vulnerability, dosage, and other contributing factors. Some people experience panic, paranoia, severe anxiety, confusion, or unusual perceptions after consuming high doses of THC. Treatment should evaluate these symptoms carefully rather than assuming that every emotional or psychiatric concern is caused exclusively by cannabis.
Edibles can create additional risks because their effects may take longer to appear than inhaled cannabis. Someone may consume another dose before the first dose has taken full effect, leading to unexpectedly intense intoxication. Products that resemble ordinary candy, drinks, or baked goods can also be consumed unintentionally by children or other household members. Cannabis products should therefore be stored securely, clearly labeled, and kept away from anyone for whom they were not intended.
Cannabis addiction treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment of use patterns, withdrawal history, mental health, physical health, trauma, relationships, living environment, and previous attempts to stop. The purpose is not simply to count how often someone uses cannabis but to understand what triggers use and what function it serves. A treatment plan may address cravings, sleep, emotional regulation, social pressure, trauma responses, relationship problems, and daily routines. Clients who have co-occurring mental health concerns benefit from care that addresses substance use and mental health together rather than treating them as completely separate problems.
Behavioral therapy can help clients recognize the thoughts, emotions, situations, and habits that contribute to cannabis use. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may help identify unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge automatic reactions, and develop alternative responses to cravings or stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy can strengthen emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. Trauma-informed therapies may also help clients process experiences that contribute to avoidance, emotional numbing, hypervigilance, or recurring urges to use.
Relapse-prevention planning is another important part of treatment. Clients can learn to recognize internal triggers such as anxiety, boredom, shame, insomnia, anger, or loneliness, as well as external triggers such as particular people, locations, products, or social routines. A practical plan identifies what the person will do when cravings appear, who they can contact, and how they will respond following a lapse. Recovery is strengthened when clients practice these strategies repeatedly rather than waiting for a high-risk situation to test them for the first time.
Rainbow Hill Recovery is an adult mental health and substance use outpatient program provided by queer people for queer people. Our levels of care include a Partial Hospitalization Program, Intensive Outpatient Program, Outpatient Program, and Virtual IOP for clients who are clinically appropriate for outpatient treatment. Depending on the level of care, programming may include individual therapy, group therapy, addiction education, relapse prevention, psychiatric support, medication management, and skill development. Clients can participate in structured treatment while living at home or in an appropriate supportive environment.
The appropriate program depends on cannabis use severity, mental health symptoms, safety, daily functioning, home support, and previous treatment history. PHP provides a higher degree of structure, while IOP offers substantial therapeutic support with greater independence outside program hours. OP may be appropriate for clients who need flexible ongoing therapy or are transitioning from a more structured program. Virtual IOP can provide interactive group therapy, individual support, psychoeducation, relapse-prevention skills, and LGBTQIA+-affirming care through a secure telehealth platform.
Outpatient treatment is not appropriate for every situation. A clinical assessment helps determine whether the client is medically and psychiatrically stable enough to participate safely in this level of care. People experiencing an immediate medical or psychiatric emergency require urgent evaluation rather than a routine outpatient appointment. Determining the correct level of care is an essential part of protecting safety and creating a treatment plan that matches the person’s actual needs.
Recovery involves more than removing cannabis from a daily routine. Clients may need to relearn how to sleep, relax, socialize, create, manage emotions, or tolerate boredom without immediately using THC. Treatment can help replace cannabis-centered routines with supportive relationships, meaningful activities, healthier coping strategies, and realistic plans for high-risk situations. Progress may also involve rebuilding trust, improving work or school performance, addressing financial consequences, and reconnecting with personal values.
Aftercare helps clients continue using these skills after completing a more structured phase of treatment. Rainbow Hill Recovery’s aftercare services may include regular check-ins, individual therapy, support groups, relapse-prevention education, community resources, and ongoing recovery planning. Continued support gives clients opportunities to address renewed cravings, stress, relationship changes, or mental health symptoms before they develop into larger problems. A lapse can be used to identify gaps in a recovery plan rather than being treated as proof that meaningful change is impossible.
Rainbow Hill Recovery offers cannabis addiction treatment for adults who want an outpatient program that understands the relationship between substance use, mental health, trauma, identity, and community. Our LGBTQIA+-affirming approach allows clients to discuss their experiences without hiding important parts of themselves or having their identities treated as problems that need to be corrected. We offer multiple outpatient levels of care, evidence-based therapy, psychiatric support, relapse-prevention education, Virtual IOP, and personalized aftercare planning. Every client’s care is shaped by their symptoms, circumstances, strengths, needs, and recovery goals rather than a single standard approach.
Someone does not need to wait until cannabis has caused every possible consequence before asking for support. An assessment can clarify whether cannabis use has become a disorder, identify co-occurring concerns, and determine which outpatient program may be appropriate. At Rainbow Hill Recovery, we combine meaningful clinical structure with respect, compassion, community connection, and a clear understanding of LGBTQIA+ experiences. Call (310) 341-4887 to speak with our Los Angeles team about beginning cannabis addiction treatment.
Joie Gyondla serves as Rainbow Hill Recovery’s Clinical Support Coordinator, bringing compassion, empathy, and a genuine commitment to supporting every client who walks through our doors. With a background in recovery support, Joie understands the importance of creating a welcoming, organized, and affirming environment where individuals feel seen, valued, and supported throughout their treatment journey.
Working closely with both clients and the clinical team, Joie helps ensure that each person’s experience is as seamless as possible, providing encouragement, guidance, and practical support every step of the way. Her calm presence and dedication to helping others foster a sense of safety and connection that allows clients to focus on what matters most: their recovery.
Joie believes that healing begins with compassion and that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a lasting difference. She is proud to be part of the Rainbow Hill Recovery team, helping create a community where every individual is empowered to build a healthier, more authentic future.
Co-Founder of the LGBTQ+ Association for Addiction and Mental Health Professionals Clinical Outreach Specialist for Rainbow Hill Recovery LGBTQ Sensitivity Training Consultant
Steven Buffin-Stewart is the Case Manager at Rainbow Hill Recovery, with over five years of experience in substance use and mental health treatment. A CADC ll professional in recovery themselves, Steven combines clinical knowledge with lived experience to provide compassionate, coordinated care and foster inclusive, affirming spaces where clients feel supported, empowered, and hopeful in their healing journey.
Steven Buffin-Stewart is the Program and Case Manager at Rainbow Hill Recovery, with over five years of experience in substance use and mental health treatment. A CADC ll professional in recovery themselves, Steven combines clinical knowledge with lived experience to provide compassionate, coordinated care and foster inclusive, affirming spaces where clients feel supported, empowered, and hopeful in their healing journey.
Janae Borrego serves as Rainbow Hill Recovery’s Cross-Cultural Relations Officer and Outpatient Therapist, where she combines her clinical expertise with a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive, culturally responsive environment for every client. Her ability to understand, appreciate, and navigate diverse cultural perspectives has made her an invaluable leader as Rainbow Hill continues to grow and evolve.
In her role, Janae works to strengthen cultural understanding throughout the organization, ensuring that clients, families, and staff feel respected, heard, and represented. She provides ongoing guidance on cultural sensitivity and inclusive practices while helping shape programs that honor the unique identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences of those we serve.
As an Outpatient Therapist, Janae is dedicated to helping clients navigate recovery, mental health, and life’s challenges with compassion, authenticity, and evidence-based care. She believes that meaningful healing begins when individuals feel safe to show up as their authentic selves and receive support that acknowledges the whole person.
Janae is passionate about creating spaces where diversity is celebrated, connection is strengthened, and every individual has the opportunity to heal and thrive. Her leadership continues to advance Rainbow Hill Recovery’s mission of providing affirming, trauma-informed care that meets the evolving needs of the communities we serve.
With over a decade of experience in addiction recovery, Andrew is passionate about helping individuals reclaim their lives and find lasting healing. As Co-founder and Director of Rainbow Hill Recovery, he is dedicated to creating a supportive environment that fosters hope, resilience, and transformation.
Joey Bachrach is the Co-Founder and CEO of Rainbow Hill Recovery, an LGBTQ-affirming mental health and substance use treatment center in Los Angeles. Drawing from both professional leadership and lived recovery experience, Joey is dedicated to creating safe, inclusive spaces where individuals are fully seen, affirmed, and supported on their healing journey.