The government has recently announced that cannabis is to be reclassified to a Class B drug. Cannabis was downgraded to a Class C drug in 2004 and the new move reflects concern over the higher strength cannabis currently available. Cannabis can be addictive and long-term users of the drug have been known to suffer psychotic events and develop chronic mental illness. Hypnotherapy has a proven track record in helping overcome addictions and may help cannabis users who want to give up 'smoking pot'.
The decision to reclassify cannabis is partly due to stronger varieties of the drug known as 'skunk'. Skunk, so named due its pungent smell, is three time stronger than other varieties and accounts for over 70% of cannabis drugs seized by the police. Skunk also contains higher levels of the psychoactive substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in cannabis plants.
Tackling cannabis addiction with hypnotherapy
Smoking cannabis, even at low levels, causes feelings of euphoria and relaxation and alters the senses. Cannabis 'highs' can also stimulate appetite, cause fatigue and disorientate users. Although cannabis is an organic substance, the long term effects can become addictive and begin to affect your physical and mental health. Smokers of cannabis can become reliant on the drug to help them go to sleep at night. If you smoke cannabis regularly you may find you need a smoke in the morning and during the day to satisfy the craving for an induced high. At this point, you are becoming dependent on the drug and it can start to damage your personal and professional life.
If you have reached this point then cannabis is probably controlling every aspect of your existence and further prolonged use may lead to mental problems that will require psychological therapy. Accepting that you have an addiction to cannabis is the first step to overcoming it; however the mind needs a little assistance. Even though you aware of the negative effect cannabis is having on you, you're probably struggling to break the habit. That's because bad habits reside in the part of the brain that is difficult to access - the subconscious.
Hypnotherapy understands that cannabis addiction works on the same level as any other addiction, be it food, nicotine or alcohol. Giving up cannabis takes a massive effort but staying off it is even harder. Cannabis addicts that have given up still miss smoking and probably have the desire to smoke again. That is because they have only overcome their cannabis addiction at a conscious level. The desire is still within the subconscious.
Hypnotherapy can help you stop smoking cannabis
Your subconscious mind is home to deep rooted emotions, thoughts, behaviour and habits. Some of these are positive and work to enhance our life. When tackling cannabis addiction, hypnotherapy explores the negative habits and behaviour that have accumulated over time and led to the addiction.
A hypnotherapist helps you to induce a hypnotic state whereby you become relaxed and open to positive suggestion. When in this state you can begin to alter the way your subconscious views cannabis and ease away from dependency on the drug. Over time and with practice, patterns of behaviour can develop that stop you wanting cannabis at all and even put you off smoking cannabis ever again.
Hypnotherapy improves your emotional and mental well-being and gives willpower and motivation a much needed boost to help you quit smoking cannabis and live a healthier, happier life.
Article Submitted By Daniel Alexander, GoToSee Journalist
