Having borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a real struggle. But regardless of how hard it gets, taking drugs is generally a bad idea. This article will give you an idea of why weed and BPD don’t mix.
What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental illness characterized by pervasive patterns of instability in mood, behavior, self-image, and interpersonal relationships. People with BPD often experience intense emotions, impulsivity, and difficulties maintaining stable relationships. The condition can significantly impact a person’s daily life and interactions.
Living with BPD can be difficult – and it can be even harder to live with someone with it. This sort of person may experience an inability to feel joy and constantly fear abandonment and betrayal, lashing out at and alienating those around them.
They may also engage in “splitting behavior:” seeing people, situations, or oneself as entirely “good” or entirely “bad” with little room for nuance or middle ground. This black-and-white thinking is a defense mechanism used to manage emotional pain and uncertainty.
Cannabis Use in the Context of Mental Health
Marijuana can and has been used for its purported mental health benefits for decades. However, there is a lot to unpack when it comes to the topic. A key point to note is marijuana is composed of two chemicals: cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
THC is the psychoactive compound responsible for the “high.” It can bring pain relief, appetite stimulation, and nausea reduction but also cause anxiety or paranoia. CBD is non-psychoactive and valued for its calming, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, making it ideal for therapeutic use without intoxication.
This can make marijuana a double-edged sword when it comes to its mental health benefits. Aside from exacerbating anxiety or depression, marijuana can actually worsen latent schizophrenic tendencies. This is mainly due to the THC.
When it comes to CBD, there is more evidence of its utility, but it’s still not decisive yet. For example, when it comes to anxiety disorders, the data is inconsistent due to the varying doses and differences in THC vs CBD content, as well as differences in administration.
The Potential Positive Effects of Weed and BPD
Weed and BPD may seem like a bad combination at first glance, but there’s actually reason to believe cannabis – or at least its CBD content – can help with BPD symptoms.
For example, it’s possible that low doses of cannabis or CBD itself can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and PTSD. Early research suggests that CBD may help with symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, and impulsivity. One study found that six out of seven participants reported significant symptom improvement after using medical marijuana with varying THC and CBD ratios. Obviously, this was a very small sample size; more research is needed.
However, it’s important to note that the effects of cannabis on BPD can be complex and varied. While some individuals may find relief from certain symptoms, the use of cannabis can also exacerbate other aspects of the disorder, such as dissociation.
Additionally, the long-term effects of cannabis use on the course of BPD are not well understood, and there is a risk of developing cannabis dependence or addiction. Careful consideration and monitoring are necessary when using cannabis as a potential treatment for BPD.
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Call 866-881-1184The Risks and Drawbacks of Cannabis Use for BPD
While there is some evidence to suggest weed can help BPD, there are also a lot of studies pointing the opposite way.
For example, THC can heighten mood swings, anxiety, and irritability, which can be especially a concern for those with BPD.
Cannabis can also impair judgment and decision-making, leading to impulsive behaviors, a hallmark of BPD, which can intensify interpersonal conflicts or risky actions. Regular use of cannabis can also interfere with memory and executive functioning, which can, in turn, make it harder to treat BPD with therapy.
Finally, perhaps the most pertinent and damaging risk of mixing BPD and weed is that marijuana can induce psychosis. There is a well-documented connection between marijuana and schizophrenia, for instance.
Expert Perspectives on BPD and Cannabis
A case series reported in the journal Brain Sciences highlighted that cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) containing both THC and CBD could safely and effectively mitigate symptoms in patients with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD), which is akin to BPD. The study indicated improvements in mood stability, social functioning, and reduction in impulsive behaviors, calling for further research into this therapeutic strategy. There is also the risk of THC-induced psychosis.
Alternative Coping Strategies for BPD Symptoms
Managing BPD can be a true struggle. Sadly, there is no cure, meaning a multifaceted approach is required.
Below are effective alternatives:
Therapy
One of the best possible treatments for BPD is a type of therapy known as Dialectical Behavior Therapy or DBT for short.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a specialized treatment designed specifically for individuals with BPD. It focuses on teaching essential skills to help manage the core challenges of BPD, such as emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness.
By addressing these areas, DBT provides practical tools to handle intense emotions, navigate relationships more effectively, and stay grounded in the present moment. It is widely regarded as the gold standard for BPD treatment due to its evidence-based approach and proven success in improving outcomes for those living with the disorder.
Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness can help individuals with BPD stay grounded in the present moment, reducing impulsivity and emotional reactivity. One study found that DBT combined with mindfulness was more effective in treating BPD than just DBT alone.
Medication
Unfortunately, no medications are approved to specifically treat BPD. However, some medications that can help with symptoms include mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics.
Looking for quality substance abuse treatment that’s also affordable? South Coast accepts most major insurance providers. Get a free insurance benefits check now.
Check Your CoverageTreatment for BPD in Oklahoma City
If you or a loved one are seeking treatment for BPD and weed addiction, South Coast Behavioral Health is here to help. The first step in treating marijuana addiction is a medical detox. This means using drugs to manage withdrawal symptoms.
Our medical detox program in California is staffed by caring and compassionate professionals who can provide you with medications to manage your withdrawal symptoms.
At South Coast, we take pride in offering care that is closely tailored to specific issues. To that end, we offer gender-specific detox programs, with medical detox for men in Irvine, CA, and medical detox for women in Huntington Beach, CA.
After detoxing, proper treatment can begin.
Treatment for substance abuse takes place along an entire spectrum of care. Along that entire spectrum are various behavioral therapies, support groups, and the use of medically-assisted treatment (MAT).
These levels of treatment are, in order, as follows:
Residential Treatment in California
After successfully completing medical detox, you’ll receive inpatient treatment in Orange County, California. There, you’ll receive medically-assisted treatment and dual diagnosis treatment to treat your BPD and weed addiction simultaneously.
We also offer residential treatment facilities in Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Huntington Beach for those who desire gender-specific treatment. There, patients get round-the-clock medical attention and monitoring while living at the institution full-time.
In addition to individual and group counseling and medication management, you’ll also have access to leisure activities and family support services.
Partial Hospitalization in California
Most clients start substance abuse treatment with South Coast in our residential treatment program. After completing that, many desire something that still provides structure and support but with extra space and time to oneself. For that, we offer Partial Hospitalization in Newport Beach.
A step down from inpatient care but with more structure than conventional outpatient programs, partial hospitalization offers a good balance for those looking to ease back into normal life. Clients can receive care five to seven days a week for a number of hours each day, returning back to their homes in the evening.
This way, they can recover without putting their daily lives completely on hold, receiving intense therapeutic interventions like group and individual therapy, skill development, and medication management as necessary.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment in California
For those leaving inpatient residential treatment or partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are yet another gradual step forward on the road to recovery.
With a focus on group therapy, individual counseling, and education, clients undergoing Intensive Outpatient Treatment in Newport Beach can meet three to five days a week. Each session lasts three hours.
This level of care requires the least amount of attendance at a facility.
Start Today
If you or a loved one are struggling with ketamine addiction or any substance abuse disorders or have other questions, call us at 866-881-1184 or contact us here. Our highly qualified staff will be happy to help give you an idea of what to expect from your addiction recovery timeline, help verify your insurance, and assist with any other questions you may have.
- Young men at highest risk of schizophrenia linked with cannabis use disorder | National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Cannabinoids and their therapeutic applications in mental disorders – PMC
- Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Series – PMC
- Cannabis and Anxiety: A Critical Review – PMC
- Poor decision-making by chronic marijuana users is associated with decreased functional responsiveness to negative consequences – PMC
- Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products in the Management of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD): A Narrative Review and Case Series – PMC
- Mindfulness in Borderline Personality Disorder: Decentering Mediates the Effectiveness – PubMed
- The Association Between Cannabis Use and Schizophrenia: Causative or Curative? A Systematic Review – PubMed
