Cannabis Treatment

An Old Friend

Cannabis addiction is a surprisingly common presentation to BlueSky Psychology. Clients often started smoking young and continued to use cannabis into adulthood. Even upon presenting for help there is often a resistance to completely cease its use. This is partly because Cannabis is spoken fondly of as a good old friend; it’s familiar, predictable, faithful, comforting, supportive during the tough times, relieves pain, and helps to initially fall asleep.

Advantages of Cannabis

Let’s be honest, smoking cannabis has it’s advantages … otherwise it wouldn’t be so commonly used. Very small amounts of cannabis, as little as 0.3mgs, can have an effect one’s experience of consciousness. Cannabis is a ‘depressant’, not in terms of inducing depressed moods, but rather, the substance depresses activity in parts of the Central Nervous System. Without going into a neurological science lesson the effects of cannabis on the brain include:

1. Increased attention to the present moment
2. Less worrying thoughts
3. Calming feelings
4. Increased sense of entertainment
5. Ability to laugh more
6. Masking of pain sensations

Disadvantages of Cannabis

Unfortunately, cannabis also has its drawbacks. Just for a moment forget about the legal complications of its use, let’s focus on some of the problems with smoking cannabis:

1. Increased tolerance to Cannabis
2. Physiological addiction
3. Psychological dependency
4. Increased anxiety after the metabolism of recent use
5. Irritability
6. Short fuse before the onset of rage
7. Paranoia
8. Psychosis
9. Increased chance of a range of cancers

Can Smoking Cannabis affect my Relationship?

Many long-term users of cannabis explain it has negatively impacted upon their relationships. They have explained a preference for smoking rather than spending time with their partner. Again, users may prefer to skip social occasions so that they have the time and privacy for their next hit. Their lives can then become challenging as their usage is covered with lies, the hiding of smoking paraphernalia, and even using chewing gum to cover the smell. Partners of users report feeling lonely and disconnected and have difficulty trusting their using partner.

Do I have an addiction to Cannabis?

1. Listed below are the signs of a person with a physiological addiction to cannabis:
2. Difficulty regulating emotions
3. Irritability
4. Mood Swings
5. Withdrawals if smoking is stopped
6. Unsuccessful attempts to reduce or quit
7. Spending more money or time on smoking than wanted
8. Strong urges with little or no control
9. Need for increased amounts of cannabis for the same effect
10. Planning days, weekends, and socialising around the next hit

So what are the signs of Withdrawal?

1. Insomnia
2. Sweating
3. Headaches
4. Anxiety
5. Shaking
6. Nausea

How BlueSky Psychology can help you?

We have a number of Psychologists on our team who are knowledgeable and experienced in treating cannabis addiction. The basis of successful intervention is through the use of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy and the equipping of skills. We have found the following steps in intervention to be most effective:

1. Build motivation
2. Address the reasons you started in the first place
3. Provide a range of adaptive coping skills
4. Learn alternative ways to relax
5. Understanding high-risk areas of relapse
6. Set a date to quit
7. Trash all smoking paraphernalia
8. Education on withdrawal symptoms
9. Challenge those thoughts to justify use
10. Practice refusal skills
11. Teach Relapse Prevention Strategies