Cannabis withdrawal syndrome

A study reported at an American Psychiatric Association conference has confirmed that cannabis users have withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to quit.

A large majority of those that have withdrawal symptoms relapse into their cannabis use.

The study of heavy cannabis users who relapsed, use more cannabis, were unable to cut down, spend a lot of time using and gave up other activities in order to use cannabis.

Withdrawal symptoms included stomach upset, nausea, irritability, anxiety, sadness, insomnia, disrupted appetite, disrupted libido and cannabis cravings.

About one third of those who quit reported improved memory.

The study was funded by the US government.

(Source: Medpagetoday, 7 May 2008)

DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-

This study confirms the need for effective detoxification at withdrawal as cannabis addiction is hard to quit.

As has been proven overseas, countries that use their courts to refer into detoxification and rehabilitation and supervise the addicts progress have more success in getting an addict off drugs.

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in Australia so we NEED court supervised drug detoxification and rehabilitation.

In order to reduce the extensive Australian cannabis using population we NEED a comprehensive and effective drug detoxification and rehabilitation system.