Let’s talk about cannabis…
Britain’s black market in cannabis is worth £2.6bn annually, with 255 tons of cannabis sold to more than 3 million people last year, according to the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA). Talk from policymakers is rife once more with the possibility of legalising its use. Whether or not that becomes a reality for the UK is an interesting one, but what I want to talk about here is how I can help you to take control of your use, or that of someone you know if they are a user.
It would be wrong to say there is a typical user of cannabis and as such there is no age attributed to what a cannabis user’s typical age might be. As in previous years, cannabis was the most commonly used drug in the 2017/18 CSEW (Crime Statistics for England and Wales), with 7.2 per cent of adults aged 16 to 59 having used cannabis in the last year (around 2.4 million people).
So, the chances are you know someone in your family or friendship group who is a recreational, habitual or a one-time user. The effect of cannabis is as varied as the individuals who use it; time may feel like it’s slowing down if you are using it, it can affect your memory, stimulate panic attacks, hallucinations, leave you with the inability to drive safely. It can demotivate you, lower your interest and concentration
when learning new things in education - your job performance may deteriorate, and your motivation becomes lacklustre.
What I am concerned with here is cannabis and the effect it may have on your mental health. Whether you wish to stop using or wish to take more control in your use of the substance - using hypnosis - I could empower you through therapy to help create the change(s) you want to make.
So, how does hypnosis help treat and addiction to cannabis?
Empowerment needs two supporters here; the way I work is to ensure you want to make a change in your behaviour, I simply support your wish to do so - I form a partnership with you to work together towards a common goal that you have decided upon. As a therapist, I work with clients to help achieve the ideal outcome for them regardless of the issue. The challenges we face as individuals are all different and we each deal with them in a variety of ways. Therapy helps overcome issues in life and therapy sessions are tailored to the client’s individual needs.
Cannabis users gravitate to other cannabis users – I want to reach out to users and say that there is a confidential, safe place for individual clients to get the help they need.
I don’t believe in this, so it won’t work for me, right?
Okay, this isn’t the first time I've heard this. People have perhaps tried using a different route to achieve what they want to overcome. Often clients may not want to talk in a group help setting or speak to their GP about their cannabis use. A recent client chose cannabis use as a lifestyle choice over a number of years. Male, with a typical spend on cannabis per month of £400; married with 2 children. The client wanted to change to make the most of his role as a husband and father and to be a positive role model for his children going forward.
Testimonial from cannabis user, undergoing hypnotherapy (anonymous):
“I came [to therapy] about my cannabis addiction and in just over 4 weeks the results have amazed me! I haven't had a joint since [therapy] and feel that I am now well on the road to achieving my goal. It hasn't been easy, but I feel stronger than I could ever imagine; and the journey hasn't been as difficult as I thought it was going to be. I have even socialised with some of my friends who have been smoking around me and I have resisted any temptations with relative ease (much to their amazement as well as my own!).
The experience has opened my mind and I have been happier in myself whilst enjoying a healthier appearance. My wife has often commented on how much more perky I have been since having therapy.”
The results speak for themselves. However, if you would like a no-obligation telephone consultation to discuss the therapy options to suit your individual needs, then give our therapist a call. Our therapist understands that cannabis will likely form only part of the wider issues experienced. The desired outcome is the most important element in relation to the change(s) you may wish to make in your life. It could be you’re having problems sleeping, have a poor appetite, have experienced a trauma that needs to be overcome - there are many reasons why you might not want to feel a certain way anymore.
Whatever your reason is for considering therapy, it’s your desired outcome our therapist will focus on and will work with you to help you to achieve your desired goal.
About the author
This blog post was written by former Sheffield Wellness Centre hypnotherapist, Lin Debenham. She has since retired but we have kept her blog post up for the information could still be useful to those seeking help. If you are looking to treat a cannabis problem get in touch and one of our hypnotherapists will be happy to talk to you.