Have you heard about Delta-8 but aren’t sure how it works or if it’s safe? Marijuana laws have shifted many times in the past several years, and sometimes what’s available for sale legally or illegally hasn’t yet been fully understood. Medical studies continue to be done on Delta-8, but it’s already clear that it presents a risk to its users. A goal of lots of research being done is finding the answer to, “Can you overdose on Delta-8?” Buckhead Behavioral Health understands the need for treatment for marijuana abuse and addiction. We offer different levels of outpatient care that teach people to thrive in life without the need to get high anymore.
What is Delta-8?
Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly called Delta-8, is a psychoactive ingredient found in the Cannabis sativa plant, which comes in both a marijuana and hemp variety. The cannabis plant naturally produces over 100 types of cannabinoids, including Delta-8, although it is not found in large amounts. Highly concentrated amounts of Delta-8 can be manufactured from the type of cannabidiol that is derived from hemp. People consume Delta-8 products to achieve a sensation of being high.
Delta-8 is legal on the federal level due to a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp, but it’s more complicated than that. A number of states have declared it Delta-8 and even more are working to ban it. Delta-8 products have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means the FDA does not consider them safe for consumption. In fact, they recommend the products not be used or kept near children or pets. Studies continue to be done to determine the full effect of this substance, including answering the question, “Can you overdose on Delta-8?”
Can You Overdose on Delta-8?
Delta-8 is similar to the chemical component of marijuana called Delta-9 which causes a person to feel high. However, Delta-8 is less potent and it takes a larger amount to cause the receptors in the brain to signal a sensation of intoxication. Can you overdose on Delta-8? The answer is complicated, but a person can risk overdosing on it.
Factors that can influence if a person ingests enough Delta-8 to risk an overdose include how they consume it. People who consume Delta-8 in food or drinks typically ingest more than those who use other methods. The effects can take from half an hour to two hours to take hold. This causes many people to consume more while waiting for the high to happen. This can lead to an overdose. By contrast, when a person smokes Delta-8 products, they get high faster and are less likely to ingest enough to cause an overdose.
Between December 1, 2020, and February 28, 2022, the FDA received over 100 reports of adverse events that occurred when people took Delta-8 products. Over half of them required treatment by emergency medical technicians or admission to hospitals. Symptoms included vomiting, dizziness, losing consciousness, tremors, hallucinating, and extreme levels of anxiety. About two-thirds of the events requiring medical attention came as a result of ingesting food products with Delta-8.
What puts a person at risk of overdosing doesn’t just come from how much they ingest. Manufacturers of Delta-8 products are not held to the standards that typical food and drink producers are, which means they may sell contaminated products. As well, they may put false information on their labels, which can include not correctly identifying the amount of the product which leads to feeling high. In turn, this can lead to someone using more than is safe for them without realizing it.
How is Marijuana Addiction Treated?
If a person finds themselves wondering, “Can you overdose on Delta-8?”, they may already have developed an unhealthy dependence on marijuana. Some people with an addiction to marijuana attend residential programs but many find that outpatient programs suit their needs. Outpatient programs allow a person to travel to a facility to attend addiction-related therapy sessions but still live in their homes. The types of outpatient care available include:
- Detox
- Inpatient Rehab
- Outpatient Drug Rehab
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Evening IOP
- Virtual IOP
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- 90-Day Rehab Program
An initial assessment of each person helps the staff create a schedule of therapies to help them overcome their addiction. Prescription medications can be used to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms that may happen.
Find Treatment for Marijuana Addiction in Atlanta, GA
Do you abuse marijuana and want to stop but can’t seem to do it on your own? Whether you use Delta 8 and other forms of cannabis legally or live in a state where it’s still against the law, abuse of this drug can happen quickly or over time. In fact, people who develop a dependence on this type of drug often wonder, “Can you overdose on Delta 8?” Buckhead Behavioral Health offers a comprehensive program for the treatment of marijuana addiction. Our outpatient plans provide you with the ability to get the vital help you need without having to move out of your home.
For more information about our marijuana addiction program, visit our admissions page now. We can help you get started on leaving substance abuse in your past and feeling better.
