Cannabis Addiction: Signs, Symptoms and Rehab Treatment

Cannabis is a psychoactive drug which is naturally occurring and made from the cannabis plant.

Common street names for cannabis include pot, weed, grass, dope, ganja, herb, a joint, reefer, Mary Jane, stinkweed, hay, skunk, blaze, ashes and burrito.

Cannabis Abuse: Key Facts

• Cannabis is the most widely-used illegal drug in the UK
• Cannabis is a Class B drug which means it’s illegal to possess it, give it away or sell it.
• Possession of cannabis could get you up to 5 years in jail
• Even giving cannabis to your friends could be classed as supplying, and if you’re caught you could face up to 14 years in jail and an unlimited fine
• Being caught with cannabis could restrict the jobs you could apply for in future or the countries you can visit (such as the USA)
• 6.5% of adults aged 16 to 59 have used cannabis in the last year
• Cannabis is the most commonly used drug against those aged 16 to 24 with 15.8% of this age group having used the drug in the last year
• 8% of secondary school pupils took cannabis in the past 12 months

Effects Of Cannabis Addiction

Taking cannabis can cause you to feel chilled out, relaxed and happy. You may be very talkative or get the giggles. You may also feel very aware of your senses and like time is slowing down.

Some people react negatively to cannabis with hallucinations, delusions and feelings of anxiety and paranoia. If you have a family history of mental illness then you are more likely to experience negative effects from taking the drug. You may experience a ‘whitey’ where you feel light headed, faint and sick after a few drags on a joint or suffer from ‘the munchies’ where you feel very hungry.

Other effects of cannabis addiction include:

• Finding it difficult to concentrate or learn
• Lacking motivation
• Borrowing or stealing money to fund your habit
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate

Signs And Symptoms Of Abuse

Long-term cannabis use may affect your mental health, leaving you feeling paranoid or delusional. You may take risks you would not normally take, such as having unprotected sex or driving too fast. Cannabis use increases your heart rate and blood pressure so if you have a pre-existing heart condition, you could increase your risk of heart attack. You may also be unable to concentrate or remember things to the point it affects your work or education.

Long term use of cannabis is associated with an increase in the risk of developing psychotic illnesses like schizophrenia in later life, so you may be putting yourself at risk of mental illness. Research shows you’re more than twice as likely to have an accident if driving under the influence of cannabis.

Cannabis can cause wheezing, make asthma worse or even lead to the development of lung cancer. In the long term it can affect both male and female fertility.
Signs and symptoms of cannabis abuse in a loved one can include:

• Being very hungry (having the munchies)
• Red, bloodshot, blurry eyes
• Poor memory
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dry mouth
• Distorted perception – seeing things that aren’t there, being paranoid and anxious
• Poor coordination
• Persistent cough
• Rapid heartbeat
• Strong smell of cannabis smoke

Treating Cannabis Addiction

When it comes to treatment for cannabis addiction, private rehab is the best option. At Primrose Lodge we offer a holistic treatment programme which meets your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs. Rehabilitation for cannabis addiction begins with a drug detox, where the body is flushed of all drug-related substances. We provide a supervised medical detox and support throughout withdrawal, to help manage your symptoms.

Because every addict experiences withdrawal differently, your treatment programme will be tailored to suit your needs. After making it through detox and withdrawal with the 24/7 support of our clinical team, you will receive a combination of group and one-on-one therapy, as well as other therapy to suit your individual needs, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This can help get to the root cause of your addiction and prevent you from relapsing. Our staff can also provide assistance with nutrition and exercise to help you stay healthy as you recover, as well as advice to help you get a better night’s sleep.

Even after you have successfully completed treatment in rehab, the temptation to return to using cannabis can persist, which is why aftercare is so important. We offer 12 months of aftercare free to anybody successfully completing treatment at Primrose Lodge. We also recommend joining a fellowship group where you can receive support from others going through a similar experience.

Withdrawal And Detoxification Process

Cannabis detox and withdrawal can bring with them uncomfortable symptoms which can be hard to manage on your own. At our rehab, our clinical medical team will manage your detox from cannabis and we may prescribe medication to help provide relief from your symptoms to ensure you are as comfortable as possible.

Going ‘cold turkey’ from cannabis can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, so you may be prescribed a substitute medication which you will be tapered off slowly, to minimise your symptoms. We recommend a minimum of 28 days as an inpatient in treatment to ensure that you receive the treatment you need after withdrawal and detoxification. This helps reduce your risk of relapse and can help you to learn strategies to cope with cravings once you are back in the real world.

It is never too late to seek treatment for cannabis addiction, however long you have been using the drug. Our expert clinical team and counsellors work together to provide a holistic treatment programme that can help you to kick your addiction and stay on the road to a healthy, drug-free future. To find out more about the services we offer at Primrose Lodge and how we can help you, just get in touch with us.