Cannabis Rehab

The following cannabis rehab information has been prepared under the supervision of Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist Dr Bruce Trathen MBBS MRCPsych, and Senior Addictions Therapist David Goodlad FRSPH MA Dip. MBACP (Snr. Accred) UKRC NCAC CADC.

Accessing reliable and accurate cannabis rehab information can be confusing and time consuming. Triage Advisors are here to help you make fully informed and accurate decisions. Call 0117 339 0080.

What is cannabis rehab?

Cannabis rehab is treatment that aims to help those individuals who fear they have become addicted to cannabis. The withdrawal from cannabis is predominantly psychological, but treatment may involve the prescription of medication to make the withdrawal process more comfortable. Ideally, it should also focus on psychological and therapeutic treatments in order to effectively rehabilitate individuals whose lives have been overshadowed by cannabis.

As with the majority of drugs, cannabis rehab can be accessed on a residential basis, which involves treatment and round the clock support within a cannabis rehab centre. This means that individuals are provided with accommodation in a safe, structured and professional environment throughout the duration of their treatment. Treatment offered in an outpatient centre can also be accessed on a daily basis. However, this means that the person will be returning home every evening. This may have potentially detrimental consequences because individuals are not fully removed from an environment associated with cannabis. It also means access to cannabis is much easier. These problems may also potentially affect cannabis rehab accessed on a community basis. In this case, individuals will typically access help from their local drug services and fellowship meetings.

The fact that residential cannabis rehab is the treatment most likely to result in a successful outcome is supported by a number of studies (e.g., Gossop et al., 1996; Finney, 2009). A residential centre will aim to completely detox cannabis dependent individuals. However, no formal detoxification from cannabis exists, thus this stage of the recovery process will focus predominantly at making the initial weeks of abstinence as comfortable as possible. A residential centre will further provide individuals with a structured and supervised programme aimed at relapse prevention, addressing the reasons underlying the cannabis addiction and aiding the development of much healthier coping strategies.

When should someone seek cannabis rehab?

The long term effects of cannabis abuse are widely debated. Some studies suggest that there is a link between chronic cannabis use and psychotic symptoms later in life (e.g., Keupper et al., 2011). The effect of cannabis on physical health has also been subject to research (e.g., CBC News, 2008). A cannabis addiction also means that people spend a lot of money on a daily basis on an illegal substance. This means that people are more at risk of becoming involved with crime to fund their addiction. Therefore, it is vital that anyone who is addicted to cannabis seeks professional cannabis rehab.

No formal physical withdrawal symptoms exist for cannabis, but the psychological agitation and anxiety can make abstinence extremely challenging. Therefore, cannabis rehab should be sought immediately. Moreover, if you suspect a loved one may be addicted to cannabis, there may be a number of indicators to look out for. For instance, you may notice their eyes are red and blurry. Their appetite may increase after inhaling or digesting cannabis, known as the “munchies”. Their behaviour may also change; individuals can become more withdrawn and anxious. Their social habits may also change as they orientate themselves around others who use cannabis. You may also find cannabis paraphernalia amongst their possessions, such as large cigarette rolling papers and grinders.

Cannabis rehabilitation options

There are a number of cannabis rehab facilities throughout the UK. When looking out for these privately, it is important to check that the centre is regulated by the appropriate governing body, such as the Care Quality Commission. It is also essential that such cannabis rehab UK facilities meet the standards set out by those governing bodies. Triage Healthcare only work with rehab centres that meet these needs. In doing so, we can arrange treatment at centres that offer excellent psychological and therapeutic programmes which take place within professional and supervised environments.

It is also possible to access private overseas cannabis rehab. This option can be particularly appealing to those individuals who have already accessed help in the UK with limited success. By travelling overseas to access treatment, the person is completely removed from their problematic surroundings. Overseas treatment can also represent better value for money in some cases.

It is also possible to access free NHS services. Whilst it would clearly be preferable to receive cannabis rehabilitation without having to pay for it, it is important to remember that there is an imbalance between availability of addiction treatment in the NHS and the demand in the community. Therefore, there can often be long waiting lists involved when trying to access the NHS options.

How long could Cannabis rehab take?

It is typically recommended that a cannabis detox lasts a minimum of two weeks. However, it is also important that psychological support is accessed, and therefore full and comprehensive programmes should last around six to twelve weeks.

Cannabis rehab aftercare support

Upon leaving a treatment centre, aftercare is also an important element of the recovery process. People need ongoing support in order to abstain from cannabis in the long-term, particularly if going from intensive support at a treatment centre to no professional support upon returning home. Ideally, aftercare should consist of one to one specialist addictions counselling alongside fellowship and local drug services meetings.

How much does a private Cannabis rehab centre cost?

Triage Healthcare recognises that there is a deficit in the provision of affordable private treatment for addictions in the UK. High quality free advice and information is provided to all, as well as best-value private treatment to individuals with a limited budget. If you arrange treatment through Triage Healthcare you will never pay more and in some cases you will pay less for residential treatment than by booking direct with a treatment centre.

Where to find Cannabis Rehab treatment Centers in the UK

There are a number of different treatments available. It is important that the treatment is tailored to the individual - addiction is different for each person; there is no “one-size-fits-all solution”. In order to find out the treatment that represents the best chance of success for all concerned, call one of our experienced advisors. Our advice is all completely free and confidential.

References

CBC News. Heavy Pot Smoking Could Raise Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2008/05/13/pot-stroke.html

Finney, D. Residential Rehabilitation: What's the Story? (2009). Retrieved from http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2009/03/tier-4-review-rehabs-jan-2009.html

Keupper, R., van Os, J., Lieb, R., Wittchen, H., Höfler, M., & Henquet, C. Continued Cannabis Use and Risk of Incidence and Persistence of Psychotic Symptoms: 10 Year Follow Up Cohort Study. (2011).

NTORS The National Treatment Outcome Research Study: Summary of the project, the clients, and preliminary findings: First Bulletin. (1996). Gossop, M., Marsden, J., Stewart, D., Edwards, C., Lehmann, P., Wilson, A., & Segar, G. Department of Health: London.