Giving up the weed
How to get help
DIY detox

Getting some help
Cannabis isn't physically addictive the way opiates are. But some users get to a point where they are psychologically dependent on the drug, and this can cause problems for their health and finances, not to mention affecting performance at work and school or college. You may be fine with the occasional spliff, but what about if you're smoking too much? If you feel as if you're spending too much time, energy and money on cannabis, it might be time to look at why you smoke so much and how you can cut down.

It can be hard to admit that your cannabis use is excessive. Using a quiz such as the one on Know Cannabis can be really helpful, as can talking to supportive friends about how much you smoke. Try to be as honest with yourself as you can.

When you've decided that you want to cut down or stop using cannabis, there are services that aim to help you. You might think that drugs services are just for people who use drugs like heroin and cocaine, but there's nothing to stop you asking for help with cannabis use.

There are three initial routes to getting help.

• Telephone advice lines offer immediate access to general advice and a way to identify places to find further help. They are often backed up by websites. The main helplines are listed below.
• Street agencies are located in community settings and operate 'drop-in' policies, so you can attend at any time during opening hours. They will have advice, information and referrals to other services.
• Your local doctor/GP may also be a good resource, especially if your cannabis use seems to have triggered depression or anxiety. However, if you don't want to deal with your family doctor, or your GP doesn't seem sympathetic, all services are available via the alternative routes described above.

Help and info

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Telephone helplines

FRANK
Helpline: 0800 77 66 00 (24 hours)
Textphone: 0800 917 8765
Email: frank@talktofrank.com
Website: www.talktofrank.com
Provides free confidential drugs information and advice 24 hours a day. All calls are confidential. You can use the website's search facility to get the contact details of organisations offering practical help and support in your area.

Release
Legal Helpline: 0845 4500 215 (Mon–Fri 11am–5.30pm)
Heroin Helpline: 0845 4500 215 (Mon–Fri 11am–5.30pm)
Email: ask@release.org.uk
Website: www.release.org.uk
Release's Heroin Helpline offers help, advice, information, support and referral to people affected directly and indirectly by heroin use. It can link you up with different types of support groups. If you are having difficulty getting treatment, Release can help liaise with your local service providers or GP.

Advice and information

Addaction
Tel: 020 7251 5860 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm)
Email: info@addaction.org.uk
Website: www.addaction.org.uk
Addaction is a charity working in the field of drug and alcohol treatment. The website gives good, detailed info on how to get treatment and what it might involve. It also has a strong regional presence all around the UK.

DrugScope
Tel: 020 7928 1211 (Mon–Fri 9am–5.30pm)
Email: info@drugscope.org.uk
Website: www.drugscope.org.uk
National drugs information agency with services that include a library, a wide range of publications, policy research and consultancy.

DrugScope cannabis and mental health PDF
www.drugscope.org.uk/wip/7/PDFS/Cannabis and Mental Health.pdf
DrugScope's reading list on cannabis and mental health has links to a number of research papers on this topic

Erowid
www.erowid.org
Information about psychoactive plants and chemicals, including cannabis, and related issues. There are links to articles about many aspects of cannabis culture.

In-volve
www.in-volve.org.uk
East London-based drugs charity with treatment programmes for young people and adults that focus specifically on cannabis use. Helped to get rapper J Rock to give up the weed.

Know Cannabis
www.cannabishelp.org.uk
This website can help you assess your cannabis use, its impact on your life and how to make changes if you want to. There's a good self-help section and a quiz to help you work out if you're smoking too much.

Lifeline
101–103 Oldham Street
Manchester M4 1LW
Tel: 0161 834 7160
Email: mail@lifeline.org.uk
Website: www.lifeline.org.uk
Confidential advice, information and support for drug users, their family and friends. Lifeline have offices in Manchester, East Lancashire, West Yorkshire and Calderdale providing a range of services.

Rethink
National advice service: 020 8974 6814 (10am–3pm, Mon–Fri)
Email: advice@rethink.org
Website: www.rethink.org
Rethink is the largest severe mental health charity in the UK. They have a section of the website devoted to their recent cannabis campaign.