Cannabis Rehab

Cannabis Rehab

John Gillen

By John Gillen - Last Updated: 26 August 2026

Clinically Reviewed on 23/11/2023 4:23 pm by Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner) All information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

At Asana Lodge, we are highly experienced in caring and rehabilitating those with cannabis addictions. Get in touch with us today for help or advice on how to start your journey to recovery and a life that is free from cannabis abuse. We can begin drug rehab treatment as soon as you are able to do so, with no waiting lists.

Although cannabis addiction is not talked about as much as other addictions, the effects of cannabis use have been widely recognised for many years. From impairing cognitive development to affecting psychomotor performance, cannabis addiction is a much bigger issue than we might realise.

Out of the 7000+ studies that have looked into cannabis use, it has never been proven to be safe. In the UK, 6.8% of adults aged 16–59 and 13.8% of adults aged 16–24 used cannabis last year, and 28,845 people started cannabis treatment in 2022–23. One in five adults seeking drug treatment report cannabis problems.

Whether you are struggling with cannabis addiction yourself, looking for help for a loved one, or trying to understand when professional support is needed, this guide explains the signs of cannabis addiction, its effects on the body and mind, how cannabis rehab works at Asana Lodge, and the aftercare that supports long-term recovery.

 

What is Cannabis Addiction?

The ‘high’ caused by cannabis is known to place the user into an extremely calm state of relaxation, which is caused by the chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Because of this consistent high, cannabis can be addictive and may result in behavioural changes such as mood swings, paranoia and depression. This is because over time the body becomes familiar with the drug’s effect and becomes dependent on it as a result, which can develop into a cannabis addiction.

Cannabis addiction involves a dependency on smoking or ingesting it, usually via baked goods with cannabis in them, otherwise known as ‘edibles’. While many associate the risks of cannabis addiction with lung damage from smoking, edibles also pose dangerous risks in the form of a higher chance of overconsumption.

All of our cannabis rehab programmes are completely bespoke and tailored to meet each client’s individual needs. Cannabis rehab treatment also differs from some other rehab programmes because cannabis use disorder often needs tailored psychological and mental health support. 72% of first-time patients have co-occurring mental health issues, which is why personalised care matters. Your care is our utmost concern, and our sympathetic and understanding staff are here for you at every step of the way.

 

How Does Cannabis Addiction Affect The Body?

If you have a cannabis dependency, particularly to the point where it becomes a drug addiction requiring rehab, this kind of substance abuse and ongoing drug use may cause physical side effects including an increased desire to eat, euphoric sensations, an overly calm mood and lack of correct sensory function. This is because the drug can affect your central nervous system and interrupt signals sent by the brain around the body.

In the UK, cannabis is an illegal drug and can still cause serious harm like other drugs.

Other short-term side effects of cannabis abuse are feeling sick, feeling paranoid, a raised pulse and blood pressure and becoming confused. People who stop heavy use may also experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, insomnia and vivid dreams. It is argued by some that cannabis is relatively harmless, but this is far from true, as the drug can be incredibly addictive and lead to long-term mental health issues if it is abused for long periods of time.

 

How Do I Know If I Need Cannabis Rehab?

Many serious health complications can arise from a cannabis addiction, such as severe mood swings in regular users.

Continued use of the drug is required to achieve a desired ‘high’, meaning tolerance to it slowly builds over time, and the user requires more cannabis to get the ‘high’ they need. No two people reach treatment in the same way, but struggling to control use is a common warning sign. When these signs become difficult to manage, attending cannabis rehab or weed rehab can be a sensible next step. Symptoms of cannabis addiction can be both mental and physical, and are outlined below.

Physical symptoms of cannabis addiction:

  • Anxiety
  • Panic
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Increased aggression
  • Anger
  • Mood swings
  • Irritability
  • Little or no appetite

Psychological and behavioural symptoms of cannabis addiction:

  • Secrecy regarding cannabis use
  • Shortness of temper
  • Paranoia
  • Depression

 

Cannabis Addiction Treatment at Asana Lodge

If you choose rehabilitation for cannabis addiction at Asana Lodge, we offer a well-structured programme that is personalised to your needs. A typical comprehensive stay lasts around 28 days, though the exact length varies based on your needs. There are typically 4 stages in our rehab programmes.

Admissions Process

Our admissions team offers a free initial assessment to establish the severity of your addiction as well as your overall health. This then determines the right care and treatment options for you.

If you think you or a loved one has a cannabis addiction, we offer both self-referrals and family referrals at Asana Lodge. We can help you get your life back and break away from the consuming cycle of cannabis addiction.

Detoxification

With Asana Lodge, a cannabis detox involves completely withdrawing from cannabis. You are closely supervised by medical professionals and may be given medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms and ease any mental health issues that may arise as a result, such as panic, anxiety or depression.

Rehabilitation

Those who wish to stay with us in residential rehab will have round-the-clock care and support from our team in an inpatient setting, helping you focus solely on recovery away from daily triggers. While outpatient settings may suit some people, they are generally less immersive than residential care.

You will undertake therapies involving various forms of counselling, mindfulness and spiritual techniques to tackle the root causes of your addiction and change the way you approach drugs like cannabis. You will have the opportunity to join in group therapy sessions, where you can speak to those who have had similar experiences with cannabis. These support groups can provide connection and encouragement through shared experience. You’ll also attend educational programmes, mindfulness and activity classes, psycho-educational workshops and creative therapy groups, such as art therapy.

Due to the behavioural symptoms of cannabis addiction, therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help with identifying and challenging negative thought patterns that come with cannabis misuse. Rehab also teaches you coping strategies to manage triggers and strengthen relapse prevention. While this therapy was initially used to treat depression, it is proven to be one of the most effective treatments for addiction.

Many of our staff have first-hand experience of addiction therapy and rehab, and understand our clients’ needs and concerns.

Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for individuals to relapse after they leave rehab for addiction. Around 40–60% of people with substance use disorders relapse, especially in the first 12 months after leaving rehab. But it’s important to remember that relapse is part of the recovery process rather than a failure.

Whilst you are at rehab, you are being provided with the necessary skills, including coping mechanisms and relapse prevention planning, to manage all the daily factors and stressors that could set off your addiction. But putting them into practice when you return to your daily life requires willpower and support at first to give you the best chance at succeeding in an addiction-free life.

Here at Asana Lodge, we are there with you every step of the way and offer a 12-month aftercare package. This includes one year of free aftercare to support long-term recovery and prevent relapse, through ongoing support, such as post-treatment weekly group therapy sessions.

 

Contact Us Today

Our expert team are trained to help others cope with a range of addictions, as well as underlying mental health issues and eating disorders. If you have an additional mental health problem or an eating disorder, we can also treat these conditions through rehab and help you to understand how they could be linked to your cannabis addiction. We can give you the guidance you need to overcome them for good.

Based in the beautiful and tranquil Northamptonshire countryside, our rehab centre at Asana Lodge is the ideal location for rest and recovery. Asana Lodge is also a private cannabis rehab option for people considering private drug treatment. Unwind in a luxurious manor house with stunning facilities and deluxe accommodation, with en-suite rooms and the highest standard of service.

From fluffy bathrobes and towels to beauty services (at an additional cost), your every need can be catered for. We ensure that all of our clients feel welcome and comfortable.

Call us today for more details on our deluxe cannabis rehab programmes.

View Our Virtual Tour

Take a virtual walkthrough of our rehab facility so that you can see for yourself just what we have to offer. Simply click on the play button to begin the tour of our centre.

You’ll be able to explore our lobby, common areas, bedrooms, therapy rooms and much more from the comfort of your own home.

We hope that this tour will give you a better sense of what Asana Lodge is all about and help you to make the decision to stay with us. We look forward to welcoming you in person soon – start your recovery today!

Entrance of Asana

View VR Tour


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John Gillen - Author - Last Updated: 1 May 2019

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of Nad+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. his passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases.

The journey continues, in recent times john has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with Nad+ scientists and the very best of the medical profession in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Clinics own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists, Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with Nad+ therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.

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Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner)

Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner) - Clinical Reviewer - Last Reviewed: 23/11/2023 4:23 pm

Dr. Otulana is a highly skilled General Practitioner and Addiction Specialist. He possesses extensive expertise in the field of Substance Misuse Management and boasts a diverse background in evaluating, overseeing (including detox procedures), and overseeing the residential recovery of individuals grappling with various drug and substance addiction issues. His primary goal is to conduct thorough assessments of patients dealing with addiction issues and determine their medical detoxification and psychological treatment requirements. Dr. Otulana is well-versed in caring for patients who need dual drug and alcohol detoxification therapies.

In addition to his medical qualifications, Dr. Otulana is a proficient healthcare professional who holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from the prestigious Cambridge University Judge Business School.

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