Cannabis

Cannabis: Understanding the Risks and Road to Recovery

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Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the UK, and for many people it starts as a way to relax, sleep or switch off after a long day. Because it is so common, it is easy to assume it is harmless. For some people, though, occasional use becomes daily use, and cannabis starts to affect their mood, motivation, relationships and work. At Cheshire Sobriety Clinic, we offer confidential, one-to-one support for people who want to cut down or stop, without judgement and without a residential stay.

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What Is Cannabis?

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Cannabis comes from the cannabis plant and is usually smoked (often mixed with tobacco), vaped or eaten in edibles. It is also known as weed, skunk, grass, hash or green. Its main active ingredient, THC, produces the “high”: feeling relaxed, giggly or hungry, with changes in perception and time. Much of the cannabis sold in the UK today is high-strength “skunk”, which contains far more THC than the cannabis of previous decades and carries a greater risk to mental health. Cannabis is a Class B drug in the UK. Prescribed medical cannabis is a separate matter; our support is for non-prescribed use.

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Signs That Cannabis Use Has Become a Problem

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Many people use cannabis without it taking over their lives, but regular use can lead to dependence. Signs that cannabis has become a problem include:

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• Daily or near-daily use: needing cannabis to relax, sleep or get through the evening.

• Tolerance: needing stronger cannabis, or more of it, to get the same effect.

• Withdrawal symptoms: feeling irritable, anxious, low or restless, with poor sleep, vivid dreams or loss of appetite when you stop.

• Struggling to cut down: planning to have a break but finding yourself using again.

• Losing motivation: work, study, exercise, hobbies or relationships taking a back seat.

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If you recognise some of these signs in yourself or someone close to you, it is worth talking to someone sooner rather than later.

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The Risks of Cannabis Use

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Cannabis is often seen as a “soft” drug, but regular use, especially of high-strength cannabis, carries real risks for both mind and body:

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1. Mental Health and Psychosis

Regular use of high-strength cannabis is linked to a higher risk of psychosis, including hearing or seeing things that are not there and paranoid thinking. The risk is greater for people who start young, use daily, or have a family history of mental illness. Cannabis can also worsen anxiety and low mood over time.

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2. Dependence and Withdrawal

Around one in ten people who use cannabis develop a dependence, and the risk is much higher for daily users. Stopping can bring irritability, anxiety, low mood, sleep problems and cravings. These symptoms are usually at their worst in the first week or two and then ease, which is why support during this period makes such a difference.

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3. Memory, Concentration and Motivation

Regular cannabis use can affect short-term memory, concentration and decision-making. Many people notice they feel flat, lose drive and stop doing the things that once mattered to them. For most people, these effects improve after stopping.

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4. Anxiety, Paranoia and Sleep

Although cannabis is often used to relax, it can trigger panic attacks and paranoia, particularly with stronger strains. Many people come to rely on it to fall asleep and then find sleep is very disrupted when they try to stop.

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5. Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome

Some long-term, heavy users develop cannabis hyperemesis syndrome: repeated bouts of severe nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, often temporarily relieved by hot showers or baths. The only lasting treatment is to stop using cannabis.

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6. Lungs, Heart and Driving

Smoking cannabis, especially mixed with tobacco, damages the lungs and airways and increases the risk of chest infections and long-term breathing problems. Cannabis also raises heart rate and impairs reaction times, making driving under its influence dangerous and illegal.

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How Cheshire Sobriety Clinic Can Help

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At Cheshire Sobriety Clinic, we understand that cannabis use often begins as a way of coping with stress, anxiety, sleep or difficult feelings. Our programmes help you reduce or stop your use and address the reasons behind it, so the change lasts.

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Our Cannabis Treatment Programme Includes:

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Therapy and Counselling: one-to-one sessions with an experienced addiction specialist, in Altrincham, Alderley Edge or online. Together we look at your patterns of use, manage withdrawal and cravings, and build practical strategies for sleep, stress and relapse prevention.

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RTT®: Rapid Transformational Therapy® works at a subconscious level on the underlying beliefs and emotions that keep you using, even when you want to stop. Clients tell us this speeds up their progress compared with counselling alone. RTT® and hypnosis may not be suitable for people with a history of psychotic illness; if this applies to you, we will talk it through at your consultation and recommend the right approach.

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Ongoing Aftercare: recovery continues after your programme ends. Our aftercare includes relapse prevention sessions and regular check-ins, with “top up” support whenever you need it.

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We provide outpatient support and do not offer crisis or psychiatric care. If you are experiencing hallucinations, severe paranoia or thoughts of harming yourself, please contact your GP, call NHS 111 or go to A&E.

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Take Control of Your Life Today

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Cutting down or stopping cannabis can feel harder than people expect, but with the right support it is very achievable. Our team is here to help you regain your energy, focus and sense of control, at a pace that fits around your life.

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Contact us today to book a complimentary, confidential 30-minute consultation and take the first step. Your recovery can start with a simple email, or complete the form below.