Lee Spinks

Written by:

Lee Spinks

Dr Mateen Durrani – MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr Mateen Durrani – MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych

Last Updated:

October 13th, 2025

Cannabis Addiction

What is cannabis?

Cannabis comes from the Cannabis sativa plant and is used in several different forms: dried flower, resin (hash), oils and increasingly, high-potency concentrates. The chemical most people know is THC, which produces the “high” that most people will try to achieve. Another compound in the cannabis plant, CBD, is often highlighted for potential therapeutic benefits, but most recreational cannabis use in the UK is centred around THC.

The plant itself has a long history in medicine, textiles and culture, but today it is classified as a Class B drug in the UK. Possession can still carry legal consequences, even though conversations around decriminalisation and legalisation frequently resurface. Beyond legal status, what matters most is understanding how cannabis use can move from occasional to something far more difficult to step away from.

Cannabis-Addiction-Roll-Up-Of-Cannabis

Why would someone start using cannabis?

As is the case with any drug use, there are plenty of reasons why someone would start using cannabis. It’s rarely just a matter of chance with most people having a reason, even if they don’t fully recognise it at the time. Here are some of the most common ones.

Self-medication without guidance

For many, cannabis begins as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, low mood or even ongoing pain. It feels like a shortcut to relief, but the problem is that most of this happens outside of medical care.

The cannabis being used is often bought illegally, with no clear knowledge of strength or contents, and this brings risks of both dependence and worsening mental health.

Regulated prescriptions

Some people are introduced to cannabis through legitimate medical routes. Since 2018, specialist doctors in the UK have been able to prescribe cannabis-based medicines for certain conditions such as severe epilepsy, multiple sclerosis or chemotherapy-related sickness. The numbers are still small on the NHS, but privately, more than 89,000 prescriptions had been signed by 2022. These medicines are tightly controlled and monitored, yet their availability has brought cannabis into people’s lives in a very different way than street use.

Peer influence

For teenagers and young adults, especially, cannabis is often introduced in groups where its use is seen as normal or even expected. Studies have shown that young people with friends who use cannabis are far more likely to try it themselves. Sometimes it’s direct encouragement, sometimes it’s just not wanting to feel left out. Either way, peer influence remains one of the strongest gateways to use.

Cannabis-Infographic

Can I get addicted to cannabis?

Cannabis often carries the reputation of being non-addictive, perhaps even a “soft drug” that doesn’t really cause problems. The reality isn’t so simple. While it doesn’t create the same physical dependence as alcohol or opioids, people can and do develop an addiction.

For many, cannabis use starts with curiosity or as a way to relax, but over time, tolerance builds, meaning you need more cannabis to feel the same effect. Once you reach that stage, daily use isn’t unheard of. The problem here, however, lies in the realm of regular/frequent usage. Put simply, if you’ve been using cannabis for a long time, stopping isn’t as simple as putting it down.

Trying to cut back can bring irritability, broken sleep, anxiety and low mood. These withdrawal symptoms are real, and they make quitting much harder than expected. That’s why cannabis addiction rarely looks like an immediate collapse. Instead, it’s a gradual slide into a cycle where the relief or escape cannabis once offered becomes something you rely on to function.

Cannabis addiction rarely looks like an immediate downward spiral. Instead, it can cause a slow drift into a pattern where the calm or escape from cannabis once provided becomes something you rely on to feel level.

Is a cannabis addiction damaging?

If you’ve made it this far into the article, you might be thinking that an addiction to cannabis doesn’t sound too serious. A little irritability or restlessness without a joint? Some people may even feel the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The reality, though, is very different. Below, we explore some of the ways cannabis addiction can cause real harm.

Mentality shifts

The effects of cannabis make people relax; that much is clear. But there comes a point where too much relaxing starts to blur into something more concerning. If studying feels impossible, work performance slides, relationships become strained, and long-term goals lose their shine, it’s a sign cannabis is taking more than it’s giving.

The difficulty is that cannabis can leave people feeling oddly content with doing nothing, and while that doesn’t look dangerous in the moment, the knock-on effects creep in over time, and that’s when the damage starts to show.

Cannabis-Addiction-Paranoia-Effecting-Woman

Mental health issues

Heavy cannabis use, particularly with high-potency strains, has been linked with cannabis induced psychosis, and daily use raises the risk further compared with those who don’t use at all. Not everyone will experience this, but for people with a family history of conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or severe depression, cannabis can act almost like a trigger that brings those vulnerabilities to the surface.

Issues with using cannabis from a young age

For people who start using cannabis at a young age, the risks are even higher. The brain is still developing through adolescence and regular cannabis use during that time can leave lasting problems, such as:

  • Difficulty thinking and problem-solving
  • Problems with memory
  • Reduced coordination
  • Difficulty maintaining attention

As we can see, starting cannabis use early can set patterns that follow a young person well into adulthood. That’s why delaying use or avoiding it altogether is so important during these formative years.

Cannabis myth-busting

With public views on cannabis becoming more relaxed in recent years and many people speaking out in favour of legalisation, it’s no surprise that supportive arguments are everywhere. We’re not saying every positive claim about cannabis is false, but some are myths or misrepresentations that keep coming up.

Let’s look at a few of them:

Crack-Cocaine-Addiction-Man-Smoking

“Cannabis is natural, so it must be safe.”
It’s true that cannabis comes from a plant, but natural doesn’t automatically equal harmless. Tobacco is natural, too, and it’s one of the leading causes of preventable illness worldwide. Cannabis smoke still carries toxins that irritate the lungs, and high-THC products carry risks for mental health. So while “natural” sounds reassuring, it doesn’t mean risk-free.
“You can’t get addicted to cannabis.”
This is one of the most persistent myths, but it doesn’t hold up. People who use cannabis regularly, particularly daily, can develop tolerance and find themselves needing more for the same effect. Stopping abruptly can cause irritability, poor sleep, anxiety and low mood, making the pull for “just one more spliff” can be strong. Cannabis addiction might not look as dramatic as with other drugs, but that doesn’t make it any less real.
“Cannabis helps me sleep.”
Cannabis can make you feel sleepy and may help some people nod off faster but long-term use often interferes with natural sleep cycles. REM sleep, the stage linked with dreaming and emotional processing, can be reduced, leaving sleep lighter and less restorative. That’s why many long-term users report vivid dreams or even nightmares when they stop.
“Cannabis boosts creativity.”
Some people feel more imaginative after smoking, but that spark often fizzles when it comes to focusing or following through. Cannabis can lower inhibitions, making ideas flow more freely, but it also affects short-term memory and attention. That’s why many users say their “creative bursts” rarely lead to finished work. The feeling of being creative doesn’t always match the reality of getting things done.

Cannabis use in the UK

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Britain, with The Office for National Statistics reporting that 6.8% of adults in England and Wales used cannabis in the year ending March 2024. That equates to around 2.3 million people, proof that this isn’t a niche concern.

Among young people in the UK, the numbers are equally worrying. In 2023, 6% of pupils aged 11–15 reported using cannabis in the past year, while 17% said they had been offered it.

In 2023–24, 21.4% of adults entering drug and alcohol services in England listed cannabis as one of their problem substances.

 

Cannabis-Addiction-Man-Excessively-Sleepy

What these stats show is that attitudes towards cannabis in the UK have shifted. Conversations around decriminalisation, the rise of medical cannabis and the explosion of CBD products have all softened how people view the drug. Gone are the days of scare campaigns about the “devil’s lettuce” or keeping use entirely under wraps.

But the treatment figures tell another story. While society may have eased off the brakes, the reality is that cannabis still brings people through treatment doors in huge numbers. In other words, the conversation might have changed but the harm hasn’t gone away.

What are the signs of cannabis addiction?

Recognising the signs of cannabis addiction is important, both for yourself and for those you care about. Because addiction often creeps in gradually, it can be easy to dismiss certain behaviours or changes as nothing serious. Being aware of the warning signs gives you the chance to step in early and build plans to prevent the problem from becoming more damaging over time.

Cannabis-Addiction-Paranoid-Person

Physical signs
  • Lingering bloodshot eyes
  • Constant tiredness or sluggishness
  • Persistent cough or wheeze (if smoked)
  • Noticeable changes in appetite or weight
Psychological signs
  • Irritability or anxiety when not using
  • Struggles with memory or concentration
  • Low mood or emotional “flatness” without cannabis
  • Intense cravings when cutting down

If some of these signs sound familiar to you, it could be time to put your own or your loved ones ‘ cannabis usage under the spotlight for a closer look.

Do I have a cannabis addiction?

Whenever you’re using a substance like cannabis, one that carries the risk of misuse, dependency or addiction, it’s important to pause now and then and reflect on your relationship with it.

A helpful way to do this is by asking yourself some honest and sometimes difficult questions, such as:

  • Do you need cannabis more often or in larger amounts than before?
  • Have you tried to cut down and struggled?
  • Do you spend a lot of time thinking about, getting or using cannabis?
  • Has cannabis caused problems with work, study or relationships?
  • Do you feel anxious, restless or irritable when you don’t use?
  • Has cannabis taken the place of hobbies, goals or people that used to matter?

Answering “yes” to one or two of these questions doesn’t automatically mean you have a cannabis addiction, but it does suggest it may be worth looking into more closely.

Is there help available for cannabis addiction?

There is help for cannabis addiction and you don’t have to go through it alone. Whether it’s for you or someone close to you, UKAT offers the support needed to make recovery possible. Deciding to quit is the first step toward regaining health and balance and with the right help, lasting recovery becomes far more achievable.

Our cannabis addiction treatment programmes are designed to address both the physical and emotional sides of dependence, guiding you through cannabis detox, rehab treatment and into long-term stability. If cannabis is beginning to take over daily life, reach out today to understand how our programme works and how we can support you or your loved one on the path to recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get rid of cannabis addiction?
It is highly advised to surround yourself with a strong support group at an addiction recovery clinic. Professional guidance from those that can offer first-hand advice helps you to implement routine and reinforces that you are not alone and can recover from the psychological effects of cannabis addiction.
Is cannabis bad for you?
Cannabis is a powerful substance that introduces artificial chemicals to your brain. The psychological effects of the excess chemicals could have lasting effects on your cognitive performance, detrimental to functions such as concentration, memory and decision making.
Are there health benefits of cannabis?
Cannabis contains two main cannabinoids, namely THC and CBD. THC is the component that is commonly associated with cannabis. THC is intoxicating and induces pleasurable feelings. CBD on the other hand is a non-intoxicating and non-euphoric component of cannabis, which has a medical purpose. CBD is used to treat pain, anxiety and diabetes.
How can I manage cannabis addiction?
Cannabis addiction, just as any other substance addiction, can be all-consuming. A cannabis addiction will dictate your thoughts and actions, which makes it important to seek professional medical help when quitting cannabis to ensure your comfort and safety. It is ill advised to treat your cannabis addiction without the help of a medical professional.
Where can I get help for cannabis addiction?
The UK has an array of experienced and highly trained treatment facilities all over the country, which give you the best possible chance of making a successful recovery in a safe and comfortable environment. UKAT has helped thousands of people overcome cannabis addiction and continues to do so today. find out more about our centres and what is the best rehab for you.
What is cannabis made of?
Cannabis comes from the cannabis plant and contains cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. These compounds affect the brain and body in different ways, influencing mood, memory, appetite, sleep and sometimes physical sensations like pain or relaxation.
What does cannabis look like?
Cannabis often appears as dried plant material with buds and leaves, sometimes mixed with stems. It’s also made into oils, resins, concentrates and edible products, each looking very different from the natural plant form.
Is cannabis legal?
In the UK, cannabis is a Class B drug, making possession and supply illegal. While specialist doctors can prescribe it for certain medical conditions, recreational use remains unlawful and can lead to criminal charges.

(Click here to see works cited)

a photo with three joints and loose cannabis
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