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Cannabis Addiction

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis, sometimes referred to as marijuana, weed, or pot, is a psychoactive drug derived from the Cannabis plant. The plant contains over 100 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids, with the two most well-known being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects, or the “high,” that users experience, while CBD is non-psychoactive and often associated with therapeutic benefits.

Cannabis can be consumed in various forms, including smoking, vaping, edibles, oils, and tinctures. It is widely used for both recreational and medicinal purposes.

Cannabis use, while often perceived as harmless, can lead to significant issues for some individuals, including addiction. Heavy cannabis consumption, or consumption of some of the high-potency products, such as “skunk”, can lead to psychosis and psychological conditions.

Recognising the signs of cannabis abuse and understanding the available treatment options are crucial steps toward recovery. With the right support and treatment, overcoming cannabis addiction is possible, leading to a healthier, more fulfilling life.

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Why do people use cannabis?

People use cannabis for various reasons, including:

cannabis addiction

Recreational use: Many individuals use cannabis for its psychoactive effects, such as relaxation, euphoria, altered perception of time, and enhanced sensory experiences.

Medical use: Cannabis is also used to treat a variety of medical conditions. Some of the most common include chronic pain, anxiety, epilepsy, nausea (especially related to chemotherapy), and appetite loss. CBD, in particular, is favoured for its anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties.

Social and cultural factors: In some cultures, and social groups, cannabis use is normalised or even celebrated, leading to its use in social situations.

Self-medication: Some individuals turn to cannabis to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.

Why cannabis can be dangerous

While cannabis is often perceived as a relatively safe drug, it carries several risks, particularly with misuse or high-potency products, these include:

Mental health risks:

• Anxiety and paranoia: High THC levels can lead to severe anxiety and paranoia, especially in new or infrequent users.
• Psychosis: There is a well-documented link between heavy cannabis use and the development of psychosis, particularly in individuals with a genetic predisposition.
• Cognitive impairment: Regular use, especially in adolescents, can impair brain development, affecting memory, learning, and attention.

 

Physical health risks:

• Respiratory issues: Smoking cannabis can cause similar lung damage as smoking tobacco, including chronic bronchitis and other respiratory problems.
• Cardiovascular problems: Cannabis use increases heart rate and can raise the risk of heart attack, especially in older adults or those with existing heart conditions.

 

Addiction and dependency:

• Cannabis use disorder (CUD): Regular use can lead to dependence, characterised by a need to use more to achieve the same effects, withdrawal symptoms, and difficulty stopping use despite negative consequences.
• Gateway drug: Although highly debated, some research suggests that cannabis use can lead to the use of other, more dangerous substances.

 

Impact on daily life:

• Impaired driving: Cannabis use significantly impairs motor coordination and reaction time, increasing the risk of accidents when driving.
• Social and occupational impairment: Persistent use can lead to poor academic or work performance, strained relationships, and a reduced quality of life.

Is cannabis addictive?

Cannabis can be addictive. While not everyone who uses cannabis will develop an addiction, approximately 9% of users may become dependent. This rate increases to 17% among those who start using cannabis during adolescence and up to 25-50% among daily users.

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is the clinical term for cannabis addiction. It involves a pattern of continued use despite significant negative consequences in various aspects of life, such as work, school, and relationships.

Signs and symptoms of cannabis abuse and addiction

Cannabis abuse and addiction can manifest in various ways, including:

Behavioural signs:

• Using more cannabis than intended or using it more often than intended.
• Inability to reduce or control cannabis use despite wanting to quit.
• Spending a significant amount of time obtaining, using, or recovering from cannabis.
• Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home due to cannabis use.
• Continuing to use cannabis despite its negative effects on personal relationships.

 

Physical and psychological symptoms:

• Increased tolerance, needing more cannabis to achieve the same effects.
• Withdrawal symptoms when not using cannabis, such as irritability, restlessness, sleep disturbances, and appetite changes.
• Using cannabis to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
• Changes in mood, such as increased anxiety, paranoia, or depression.
• Impaired memory, concentration, and decision-making abilities.
• Red or bloodshot eyes, dry mouth, and increased appetite (commonly known as “the munchies”).

 

What is cannabis withdrawal?

Cannabis withdrawal occurs when a person who has been using cannabis regularly and heavily, reduces or stops their use. Symptoms typically begin within 1-3 days after stopping use and can last for 1-2 weeks, though some symptoms may persist longer.

Common symptoms of cannabis withdrawal include:

• Irritability and mood swings.
• Anxiety and restlessness.
• Insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns.
• Decreased appetite or weight loss.
• Physical discomfort, such as headaches or stomach pain.
• Intense cravings for cannabis.

 

While cannabis withdrawal is not life-threatening, it can be uncomfortable and challenging to manage, which may contribute to relapse. Seeking professional support during this period can significantly increase the chances of successful recovery.

 

Treatment for cannabis addiction at the rehab centre

Ibiza Calm is a specialised treatment centre that provides drug rehab for individuals who are struggling with cannabis use and addiction. The goal of the treatment is to help individuals understand the underlying causes of their problem and develop the tools and strategies needed to maintain abstinence in the long term.

The rehab centre offers a comprehensive approach to recovery from cannabis addiction, including individual and group therapy. The Ibiza Calm team comprises experienced healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and therapists, who work together to provide the highest level of care and support to each patient.

Key components of residential cannabis addiction treatment at Ibiza Calm

Inpatient treatment at the rehab centre includes:

Initial evaluation: On arrival all clients are given a comprehensive, thorough assessment to understand the severity of their cannabis use and addiction, plus any co-occurring mental health issues.

 

Individualised treatment plans: Each person’s experience with drugs is unique, so all our treatment plans are tailored to address specific needs and goals. A personalised approach enhances the effectiveness of therapy.

Intensive one-to-one therapy: Residential treatment involves various therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), to help individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours; and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), which focuses on developing skills to manage emotions and improve relationships.

Group therapy: Facilitated group sessions provide support and help individuals connect with others who are facing similar challenges.

 

Family therapy: Involving family members can help to rebuild relationships, improve family dynamics, and educate them about addiction and recovery. All our treatment programmes include a family support group. Any family members can attend, weekly online, from the moment their loved one enters the treatment clinic.

 

Aftercare planning: Long-term recovery from any addiction, including cannabis, involves ongoing support, such as continued therapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes to prevent relapse. As part of our tailored treatment programmes, all clients are introduced to the aftercare therapy group before leaving the clinic, ensuring they are confident of ongoing, continued support. 

 

Cannabis is known by various names and types, and can be dangerous due to its potent effects, especially when used improperly or excessively. Below is an overview of the different names and types of cannabis and the associated risks:

Different names for cannabis.

Cannabis goes by many names, some of the most common names include:

Marijuana: The most widely recognised term, often used in legal and medical contexts.

Weed, pot, dope, wacky-backy, Mary Jane: These are slang, street or colloquial terms.

Grass: A more old-fashioned term still used occasionally.

Ganja: Derived from Hindi and widely used in Rastafarian culture.

Herb: Often used in both casual and cultural contexts.

Hash: Short for hashish, a concentrated form of cannabis made from the resin of the plant.

Bud: Refers specifically to the flowering part of the cannabis plant that is harvested and consumed.

Skunk: Has become slang for any potent, high-THC strain of cannabis. With THC levels often around (and above) 20% it produces a powerful and long lasting psychoactive high.

Spliff: Which generally means a joint but is sometimes used to mean cannabis.

Edibles: Cannabis-infused food and beverages

Spice, K2: These are synthetic cannabinoids (man-made cannabis).

Types of cannabis

Cannabis comes in various strains and forms, each with different levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol), and other cannabinoids. These differences can lead to varying effects and risks:

Cannabis sativa:

• Characteristics: Sativa strains are typically higher in THC and lower in CBD.
• Effects: Known for its energising and uplifting effects, it’s often used during the day for its stimulating properties.
• Risks: High THC levels can lead to anxiety, paranoia, and an increased risk of psychosis, particularly in those predisposed to mental health issues.

 

Cannabis indica:

• Characteristics: Indica strains generally have higher CBD levels, although they also contain significant THC.
• Effects: Indica is known for its relaxing and sedative effects, making it popular for nighttime use.
• Risks: While it may seem less risky due to the calming effects, high THC levels can still impair cognitive functions, and long-term use may lead to dependency.

 

Hybrid strains:

• Characteristics: Hybrids are crossbred from Sativa and Indica strains, aiming to combine the effects of both.
• Effects: The effects vary widely depending on the dominance of Sativa or Indica in the hybrid.
• Risks: Hybrid strains can be unpredictable, with some having high THC content, leading to increased risk of adverse effects.

 

Hashish (Hash):

• Characteristics: Hash is made by compressing the resin from cannabis plants, resulting in a more potent form of cannabis.
• Effects: Hashish is typically stronger than regular cannabis flower, leading to more intense psychoactive effects.
• Risks: The higher concentration of THC increases the potential for addiction, overdose, and severe psychological effects.

 

Concentrates (Wax, Shatter, Oils):

• Characteristics: These are highly concentrated forms of cannabis, often containing 60-90% THC.
• Effects: Extremely potent, leading to a faster, more intense high.
• Risks: The high THC levels can cause severe anxiety, hallucinations, and an increased risk of cannabis use disorder. The potency also raises the likelihood of consuming too much too quickly, which can result in dangerous physical and psychological reactions.

 

Edibles:

• Characteristics: Cannabis-infused food and beverages that are ingested rather than smoked.
• Effects: The onset of effects is slower, but they can be more intense and longer lasting compared to smoking.
• Risks: Because effects are delayed, users may consume more than intended, leading to overdose. The intensity and duration of the effects can cause significant distress and disorientation.

 

Synthetic cannabis (Spice, K2):

• Characteristics: These are man-made chemicals sprayed onto dried plant material to mimic the effects of THC.
• Effects: Synthetic cannabinoids can be much more potent than natural cannabis, leading to severe and unpredictable effects.
• Risks: These substances are highly dangerous, with risks including severe anxiety, hallucinations, heart attacks, seizures, and even death. Unlike natural cannabis, the chemicals in synthetic cannabis can vary greatly in potency and toxicity.

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Testimonials

I wanted to drop you a quick message to thank you very much for your help and support during my stay within Ibiza Calm. Each and every person in the house was important in his own way in my recovery. I feel very grateful to all of you. It’s not always easy but it is achievable. My life is way much better than it was before coming and I am definitely a better version of myself now.

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My son attended two rehab facilities before going to Ibiza Calm. Ibiza Calm, however, was exactly what it professed to be. They worked with my son as a vital ally in his recovery process, not as a person to be broken and fixed according to a set regimen, who would be blamed and shamed if he did not respond appropriately to the facility’s treatment protocol and schedule. The therapist assigned to my son struck the right balance between allowing him to move at a pace at which he was comfortable and pushing him to keep a challenging pace of self-discovery and recovery. My son has come out of this treatment calm and self-aware; whereas he finished the other programs angry and even traumatized. My son has only been 6 weeks out of Ibiza Calm, so the long-term success in remaining sober remains to be seen, but the change in his attitude and behavior is so profound that I have great hope for the future for the first time in years. I recommend Ibiza Calm without reservation, rather with overwhelming gratitude.

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I was at Ibiza calm from the 4th of July to the 29th of July 2020, I am 23 years of age and was in a horrific place in my life From drink and cocaine. My girlfriend is pregnant and outright had enough of my selfish behaviour. I was really ready to start my recovery, I settled in fantastic they have amazing staff so helpful and caring, the food is unbelievable thanks to Danny the main man in the kitchen, the grounds are beautiful, the bedrooms are very nice I overall found my stay amazing. 10/10 couldn’t fault it many thanks Francis.

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My husband was in another rehab clinic in the UK 6 months ago, which I wasn’t totally convinced by not only experiences of others but the surroundings/ Set up and approach to it .. he is only 2 weeks into his journey at IBIZA calm and it’s the first time in a long time I can finally hear happiness in his voice, and motivation on his healing / sobriety journey , commitment to his inner and outer health.. I know this is just the beginnings But both billy and Luca have been extremely helpful and helpful to myself ! If your looking for yourself or a loved one, 100 look no further this is the type of place someone who is suffering needs- the surroundings, the programme, the environment , and amazing team!

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I can’t thank the team at Ibiza Calm enough. I had a friend who spent time with them and what they have done is amazing. From the therapy to the meetings have all set him up for moving forward. Once he left he was not just left and has a fantastic aftercare system in place. Thank You.

Testimonials

ibiza calm is a great place for treatment I was using drugs and drink all the time my life was a mess until I went to ibiza calm in april 2016 the staff were fantastic and cared for me the treatment I recieved was second to none I can’t thank ibiza calm enough and also my family have there son and husband back in there lives thanks to this place I am grateful to the owners who have always supported me through the years