THC-A Crystalline Addiction and the Best Rehab Centers for Treatment

Medically reviewed by

Isaac Alexis, M.D., AAMA, AMP-BC

January 17, 2019

For decades, marijuana has been referred to as a “gateway drug”. Over the past decade, marijuana has become more potent due to it become legal to use medicinally in many states. Not only is the drug getting stronger, but people have found new ways to use it as well.

What Is THC-A Crystalline?

THC-A crystalline is a white or yellow crystal-rock-like substance, and looks similar to crystal meth or a clear version of crack cocaine. THC-A is considered a resin, and doesn’t simply come from a plant like marijuana; it goes through stages and must be extracted from the original drug. It actually doesn’t contain any of the chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and according to Herb, “THC-A is the raw acid form of the molecule. In its raw form, THC-A is not psychoactive. To convert THC-A crystalline into the psychoactive THC, this product needs to be heated.”

How Potent Is THC-A Crystalline?

As mentioned, the active drug in any form of marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol; in other words, it’s what gets people high off the drug. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens (NIDA for Teens), “of the more than 500 chemicals in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC, is responsible for many of the drug’s psychotropic (mind-altering) effects. It’s this chemical that changes brain activity, distorting how the mind perceives the world.”

As far as percentages go, “the amount of THC in marijuana has increased over the past few decades. In the early 1990s, the average THC content in marijuana was about 3.74 percent. In 2013, it was almost 10 percent, and much higher in some products such as oils and other extracts” (NIDA for Teens). Concentrated forms of marijuana average about 80 percent THC; however, this source of THC-A Crystalline had 99.9 percent THC. It is essentially the purest form of cannabis ever, and can be highly dangerous and addictive.

How Does One Abuse THC-A Crystalline?

Like a lot of other concentrated products, a person using THC-A crystalline can either dab it or ingest it. Since it’s about as potent as can be (almost pure), people using it can be pretty certain of the amount they’re dosing—this can be both good and bad. There are still people who use marijuana for medicinal purposes, such as cancer patients on chemotherapy, and others with severe amounts of chronic pain. There are also those who abuse the various forms of cannabis; in either case, there are going to be short and long term effects.

Short-Term Effects

One source stated that, “the high from this stuff is much more clear-headed and energetic, like a shot of some espresso or something spicy that hits the sinuses in a hurry” (Herb). There is little scientific evidence about THC-A crystalline up to this point, but because it is a variant of THC—the two should be similar. We can also say that some of the side effects, both short and long term will be intensified by the purity of this drug. Side effects such as:

• altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colors)
• altered sense of time
• changes in mood
• impaired body movement
• difficulty with thinking and problem-solving
• impaired memory

Long-Term Effects

As with any drug, the long-term effects are the problems that can occur when an addiction is at hand, or at least in a lot of cases. The long-term effects usually involve adverse health consequences, and mental problems. THC can also affect a person’s ability to think straight, solve problems, and more. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the “effects on these abilities may last a long time or even be permanent.” They go on to describe the long-term effects of THC (so THC-A crystalline):

• brain development
• breathing problems
• increased heart rate
• reduced thinking and memory
• problems with child development during pregnancy
• temporary hallucinations—sensations and images that seem real though they are not
• temporary paranoia—extreme and unreasonable distrust of others
• worsening symptoms in patients with schizophrenia

Signs Of Marijuana Addiction

So what about addiction? A marijuana use disorder can turn into an addiction when a person cannot stop using the drug, despite negative consequences. It is important to note that not everyone who has a substance use disorder will develop an addiction. Perhaps the information provided here will help you decide—and though THC-A crystalline is primarily meant to help people with terminal illness, it’s a drug that will undoubtedly be abused.

What Is Marijuana Use Disorder?

Marijuana use disorders are usually associated with dependence of the drug. According to NIDA, “30 percent of those who use marijuana may have some degree of marijuana use disorder.” So what that means is that a person becomes physically dependent after using the drug, and has withdrawal symptoms after they stop using the drug. Some of those withdrawals can include, “irritability, mood and sleep difficulties, decreased appetite, cravings, restlessness, and/or various forms of physical discomfort that peak within the first week after quitting and last up to 2 weeks” (NIDA).

Find Marijuana Addiction Treatment

There are both inpatient and outpatient treatment centers for individuals struggling with addiction. There are also a variety of different methods used for the treatment of marijuana addiction; one of which is contingency management. Contingency management is “based on extensive basic science and clinical research evidence demonstrating that drug use and abuse are sensitive to systematically applied environmental consequences, i.e., reinforcement and punishment contingencies” (U.S. National Library of Medicine).

With a contingency management therapy, patients are rewarded for clean drug tests, and abstinence from drugs. There are a lot of different treatment methods for addiction; contingency management is just one of them. We can help you find the one that’s right for you.

At least 22.2 million individuals in the USA used marijuana in 2015. It’s a widely popular drug—and now with even more potent forms like THC-A crystalline, the chance of addiction is greater. If you think that you might have an addiction to marijuana, and would like to learn about the treatment options for this drug, and other forms of it like THC-A Crystalline, hashish, wax, or resin—contact us today to find the best addiction treatment program for you.