Young adults are discovering new and dangerous ways to increase the effects of drugs.
Hotboxing the car, for instance, is common amongst marijuana smokers, but it doesn’t come without its dangers. As a rehab facility in Pompano, we know that many people, specifically smokers, are unaware of the dangers of hotboxing and marijuana use. Practices like hotboxing intensify the effects of drug use and can increase the user’s risk of developing an addiction.
What is Hotboxing?
Hotboxing refers to a person or group of people smoking in an unventilated area. Usually, the drug of choice for hotboxing is marijuana. Hotboxing is known to be done in cars, but it can also be done in a basement, attics, bathrooms, tents, or any other area that can be sealed off. Because it’s widely believed that weed is a natural and safe drug, many people don’t know why hotboxing is dangerous. When people hotbox a car or any other closed-off area, the lack of ventilation intensifies the effects of marijuana. This can lead to adverse reactions and other uncomfortable side effects. Further health conditions may also occur as a result of long-term marijuana use or hotboxing.
Is Hotboxing Dangerous?
Hotboxing increases and prolongs the effects of marijuana. The lack of oxygen in the room causes the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the user’s blood to spike. People who are in the room not smoking will experience the same symptoms as a result of second-hand smoke. Hotboxing is dangerous for several reasons.
Hotboxing Can Lead to Marijuana Addiction
Marijuana is the most commonly used substance in the U.S. after alcohol. Although many people believe it’s a natural drug because it is derived from a plant, it contains a mind-altering chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is what produces dangerous effects in its users and keeps them hooked. People who hotbox put themselves at risk of intensely dangerous side effects and future health conditions. Even after one session, users can experience short-term effects of weed, including cognitive impairment, disorientation, dizziness, and delusions.
The continuous use of marijuana, especially when used for hotboxing, can lead to addiction. Individuals who develop a dependency on weed should seek immediate treatment. We offer programs like our partial hospitalization program to individuals who struggle with drug abuse to get them the help they need to break free from their addiction.
Research indicates that about one out of ten people who use marijuana will become addicted. This rate increases to one in six among those who start using before the age of 18. It is crucial to recognize the signs of addiction, which often include persistent cravings, changes in mood such as increased irritability, sleep disturbances, decreased appetite, and restlessness.
These symptoms arise because the brain adapts to large doses of marijuana, reducing the production of and sensitivity to its own endocannabinoid chemicals. Despite these uncomfortable symptoms and negative consequences in one’s life—like losing a job due to impaired performance or missing important family commitments—continued use marks the shift from dependence to addiction.
Understanding that you or someone you know might be struggling with marijuana addiction is the first step towards recovery. Many studies might use dependence and addiction interchangeably, but it is important to distinguish between the two. Dependence primarily refers to the physical symptoms experienced upon cessation, while addiction is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.
The continuous use of marijuana, especially when used for hotboxing, can lead to addiction. Individuals who develop a dependency on weed should seek immediate treatment. We offer programs like our partial hospitalization program to individuals who struggle with drug abuse to get them the help they need to break free from their addiction.
Second-Hand Smoke Can Affect Non-Smokers
Secondhand smoke is a mixture of the drug’s chemicals and the smoker’s CO2. Secondhand marijuana smoke can contain toxins and chemicals including:2
- Ammonia arsenic
- Hydrogen cyanide
- Aromatic amines
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
- Benzene
- Formaldehyde
- Nickel
- Acetaldehyde
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Quinoline
The lack of ventilation required for hotboxing increases non-smoker’s chances of getting high and experiencing uncomfortable effects of marijuana. Non-smokers may also be exposed to the chemicals and CO2 in secondhand smoke when they’re hotboxing with other smokers. These chemicals can cause negative health conditions in the future, including cancer.
Hypercapnia
One of the main reasons why hotboxing is dangerous is because the lack of ventilation and oxygen causes CO2 levels to rise in the smoker’s blood. High levels of carbon dioxide in the blood are referred to as hypercapnia, or hypercarbia. It’s usually caused by hypoventilation, or shallow breathing, that prevents the person from breathing enough oxygen.3 Long-term marijuana use, and especially while hotboxing, can lead to hypercapnia, which may result in other health conditions like lung disease. A lack of oxygen can also affect brain function.
At Banyan Treatment Centers Pompano, we understand the repercussions of practices like hotboxing. Any form of substance abuse can have a negative impact on a person’s life. Fortunately, treatment for addiction is available. With programs like our intensive outpatient program, people who struggle with substance abuse can recover and acquire the tools they need for long-term sobriety.
Do not let addiction keep you from living a healthy and sober life. Call us now at 888-280-4763 to begin your treatment.
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