Cannabis is the most used illegal drug in the UK, closely followed by cocaine (powder form), MDMA, ketamine, and amphetamine. [i] Some other names for cocaine include marijuana, grass, skunk, dope, pot, and weed. [ii] Cannabis grows as flowers or buds on a bushy plant that can be grown in many places. It is illegal to grow and use cannabis in the UK as it is a class B drug. [iii]
The three varieties of cannabis are Indica, Sativa, and Ruderalis. However, you can find hybrid cannabis strains. Aside from the different strains of cannabis, cannabis can come in different forms. Marijuana is the most common way that cannabis is used, composed of the flowering parts of the cannabis plant. This resembles dried herbs and is typically smoked in a cannabis cigarette or a blunt wrap.
Another form of cannabis is skunk, which consists of just the buds. The growing process of skunk often results in a stronger and more potent form of cannabis, with high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC for short). Cannabis oil is rising in popularity, and is usually thick, yellow/brown, and sticky. Hash (or resin) is also a popular form of cannabis, which comes in a brown or black lump. [iv]
If you find yourself unable to stop smoking or using cannabis or unable to control your cannabis consumption, you may benefit from cannabis addiction rehab. Read on to learn more about cannabis abuse and cannabis addiction rehab treatment.
The Effects of Cannabis Abuse
Cannabis can cause a variety of effects, most of which depend on how you take the drug. Most people will smoke cannabis through a vape, a cannabis cigarette (a ‘joint’ or a ‘spliff’), a bong, or a blunt wrap. However, you can also use cannabis in the form of cannabis oil/ marijuana oil, or by consuming edibles. Typically, the effects last longer when ingested orally as opposed to smoked. [v] Both ways can cause feelings of relaxation and calmness, as well as increased appetite, the giggles, and a surge in creativity.
The effects of smoking cannabis can become present within a few minutes, lasting up to a couple of hours. When ingested as edibles, however, the effects don’t show for between 30 and 90 minutes, peaking within three hours, and overall lasting up to 24 hours. [vi] The effects you feel from cannabis can depend on a variety of factors, including the mood and the environment you’re in, the kind of personality you have, and of course the dose and how often you take it. [vii] It’s possible to experience negative effects from cannabis, including nausea, paranoia, confusion, and mental health issues such as anxiety.
Although roughly 30% of people between the ages of 16 and 59 (in England and Wales) have tried cannabis at least once in their lifetime, [viii] it is possible to abuse cannabis and experience long-term physical health issues and mental health issues. Evidence suggests that prolonged usage of cannabis and cannabis abuse can negatively affect your physical and mental health.
This may include the exacerbation of psychotic disorders, mood disorders, neurocognitive impairments, and cannabis use disorders. Cannabis abuse may also lead to respiratory, cardiovascular and other long-term diseases. [ix]
Many people consider cannabis a ‘gateway drug’ – this is because statistics show that people that try cannabis are more likely to go on to try other drugs. In a study of adults aged 26 or older that tried cannabis before the age of 15, 62% went on to use cocaine at some point, 54% would go on to use prescription drugs on a recreational basis, and 9% would use heroin at some point in their lives. [x]
Does Cannabis Show up on Drug Tests?
It should also be noted that cannabis can be picked up on drug tests, whether it be a urine test, a hair test, or a saliva test. Urine tests usually detect cannabis between 3 and 30 days after cannabis use, whereas saliva tests will only usually show cannabis for roughly 24 hours after using. Hair tests can also detect cannabis – usually for 90 days after cannabis use. However, hair tests aren’t always completely accurate. [xi]
Cannabis Addiction Treatment
Just like alcohol, tobacco, and other substances, cannabis use can be difficult to control, especially after long-term or heavy cannabis use. If you find yourself unable to stop using cannabis, you’re unable to lower your intake, or cannabis use is affecting your everyday life, then you may be addicted to cannabis.
Cannabis addiction is often characterised by the regular craving for cannabis, and the need to smoke (or consume) more and more cannabis to get the same high. If you’re addicted to cannabis, then you may also stop hobbies and previous activities to use cannabis. You may also use cannabis in dangerous situations, such as at work, school, or when driving.
If this is the case, you can find help at one of our many Help4Addiction cannabis addiction rehab centres. We have addiction treatment centres all over England and Wales, so consult us today to find your local Help4Addiction clinic.
Roughly 30% of cannabis users develop symptoms that are consistent with cannabis addiction. Like with any drug addiction or substance addiction, this typically involves drug cravings, lifestyle changes, and damaged relationships. [xii] Read on to learn about our cannabis drug treatment programme, and how we can help you manage and overcome your addiction.
Cannabis Detox
The first stage of breaking your cannabis addiction is completing a cannabis detox. At Help4Addiction, we have three different detox treatment options – a 7-day program, a 14-day program, and a 28-day program. However, the 28-day program is usually only recommended for long-term addictions to harder substances such as heroin.
We offer drug addiction treatment on an inpatient basis as well as an outpatient basis. Our residential rehabilitation isn’t usually used for cannabis addiction, as medical supervision is rarely required.
However, depending on the severity of your cannabis addiction, you may experience cannabis withdrawal symptoms when completing detoxification. Some physical withdrawal symptoms and mental withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Changes in mood
- Irritability
- Depression
- Sleep problems
- Headaches
- Drug cravings (cannabis cravings)
- Chills and cold sweats
- Trouble focusing
- Stomach issues
- Lack of appetite [xiii]
Upon completing a 7-day detox from cannabis successfully (which may involve drug tests), you’ll move on to the next stage of the treatment process to treat the cannabis addiction.
Cannabis Addiction Rehab
After detoxing from cannabis, you’ll move on to the next stage to treat cannabis addiction. This often involves therapy to help manage the drug cravings, and to help you to identify your triggers and gain an understanding of why your addiction started.
One of the most popular drug addiction therapies is CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) – a form of psychotherapy treatment. Usually, this will be outpatient therapy and outpatient treatment. This can improve the chances of a drug-free life, and can successfully limit, lower, and control your drug dependence.
Therapy can also improve your overall well being, and lower the chances of a relapse. Whether you choose group therapy, CBT, or local support groups, you’re sure to feel the benefits and develop coping skills.
We also provide quality aftercare after you have completed the detox and therapy aspects of our cannabis rehab treatment. We won’t just wave goodbye when you have finished your treatment and therapy sessions – we’ll support you afterwards to improve the chances of you enjoying a cannabis free life.
It’s not just cannabis addiction that we can help with at Help4Addiction. We can help with other substance abuse disorders, aiming for relapse prevention. We have qualified and experienced addiction counsellors and addiction specialists that can offer both inpatient treatment and outpatient treatment for a variety of addiction issues. Find your local Help4Addiction treatment centre here.
[ii] https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0007/2410/Cannabis.pdf
[iii] https://www.politics.co.uk/reference/cannabis/
[iv] https://www.drugwise.org.uk/cannabis/
[v] https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-is-marijuana-used-63522
[vi] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327270#how-does-marijuana-affect-the-brain
[vii] https://www.talktofrank.com/drug/cannabis#how-it-feels
[ix] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24001294/
[x] https://www.drugfreeworld.uk/drugfacts/marijuana/international-statistics.html
[xi] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324315#marijuana-detection-windows
[xii] https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02530-7
[xiii] https://www.healthline.com/health/marijuana-withdrawal
