Coping with cannabis withdrawal

You can expect a few sleepless nights when you give up cannabis, especially if you use it to help you sleep.

• Get up and go to bed at the same times each day – having a regular sleep routine helps to train your body to fall asleep at the same time each night.
• Have a calming bedtime routine – having the same routine each night tells your body it’s time to sleep. Include calming things like a warm bath, reading or watching TV in your routine – whatever helps you feel relaxed and sleepy.
• Avoid going on your phone just before bed – the light from the screen makes it harder for your brain to switch off and go to sleep.
• Get out and about during the day – even a short walk in daylight hours will improve your mood and your sleep, and help with stress and anxiety too.

Find more sleep tips on the NHS website

Some people start having strange or disturbing dreams when they stop using cannabis. These should start to fade after about a week. Follow the sleep tips above till they pass.

It’s quite common to feel anxious when you stop using cannabis. This is more likely if you use cannabis to manage anxiety. The trick is to find new ways to handle your anxiety. Avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks as well. Without the sedating effects of cannabis, caffeine can make you feel more jittery and anxious than usual. Writing your worries down can help. So can using simple breathing exercises to calm your breath.

Some people say they feel irritable and angry when they stop using cannabis. These feelings are normal and they will pass. Try to cut down stress in your life and build in more things that you find relaxing, such as playing games or listening to music. Telling a close friend or family member how you are feeling can be a great source of support. If you don’t want to tell them you’ve stopped using cannabis, you could just say you’re feeling under the weather.

You may get flu-like symptoms like sweats, chills, headaches and muscle pains when you give up cannabis. If this happens, look after yourself as though you had a cold or the flu. Wrap up and take it easy. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids and take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease any aches and pains.

Food may taste different when you’re withdrawing from cannabis, and your appetite may change. If you don’t feel like eating, try to eat little and often or have smoothies instead. Getting some exercise and fresh air may help to build your appetite too. Some people get nausea and stomach pains. These should go away in a week or two.If you smoke cannabis with tobacco.

If you usually smoke cannabis mixed with tobacco, be aware that you’ll also get nicotine withdrawal symptoms if you stop. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms are similar to those for cannabis. You may feel irritable, restless and like you can’t concentrate on anything.
To avoid withdrawing from nicotine at the same time as cannabis, you can use nicotine replacement treatments like patches or gum. It’s best to avoid things like vaping or e-cigarettes. Anything that reminds you of smoking could be a trigger to use cannabis again.