How does rehabilitation for cannabis dependence work?

Rehabilitation for cannabis dependence (Entwöhnung) usually runs in several steps: counselling, application, admission to a facility, therapy and aftercare. The aim is to stop use or clearly reduce it, to work on the causes and to prevent relapse. The exact process differs by facility and form of treatment, so a preliminary consultation is worthwhile.

What rehabilitation means

Rehabilitation (Entwöhnung) is the technical term for treatment that helps you break free from use. It goes beyond pure abstinence. The focus is on the reasons for use, habits, triggers and how to deal with setbacks. Dependence often shows itself in continuing to use although you want to stop.

Depending on the facility, conversations, groups and a structured daily routine are part of it. Medical questions you clarify in addition with a doctor.

Step 1: counselling and preparation

The first step is a conversation at an addiction counselling service. There it is clarified whether rehabilitation suits your situation and which form is an option. Counselling is a good opportunity to ask questions before you commit.

Prepare for the conversation by noting how long you have been using, how much and when. Concurrent illnesses, medication and other substances also belong on the list. The article How do I prepare for the first counselling conversation? gives you a guide for this.

Step 2: application and responsibility

An application is needed for rehabilitation treatment. Whether the health insurer or the statutory pension insurance (Rentenversicherung) is responsible depends on your work and health situation. The counselling service can help you with the question of who covers the costs.

Ask the health insurer or the pension insurer about the requirements and the documents needed. Get information in writing wherever possible. That way you keep track if the application prompts follow-up questions.

Step 3: admission and getting started

After approval comes admission to the facility. The facility agrees with you on the goals, the daily routine and the rules on site. Especially in the first few days, many people find it hard to adjust to the changed surroundings. You are free to talk openly about that.

• Ask about the treatment plan and its priorities
• Clarify how contact with relatives and employers is handled
• Ask what you should bring and whether you have to hand anything in

Step 4: therapy

Therapy usually consists of individual and group sessions. These address triggers, thought patterns and how to deal with stress, boredom or difficult feelings. In groups, you meet people with similar experiences. Which further offers exist differs from facility to facility.

During treatment you speak openly about use, so that you can evaluate it together. A relapse does not mean the end of treatment. What matters is that you raise it openly, so that the team can adjust the next steps.

Step 5: aftercare and everyday life

Rehabilitation does not end when you leave the facility. Aftercare means regular conversations, self-help or an outpatient follow-up treatment. For this, see the article How do I stay stable after withdrawal?

Talk beforehand about a possible relapse too. The article What to do after a relapse with cannabis? describes how to deal with it without giving up on everything.

When rehabilitation makes sense

You clarify with the counselling service or a doctor whether rehabilitation suits you. Reasons can be that outpatient help alone is not enough, or that use continues despite consequences. If you also suffer from low moods or anxiety, a doctor should accompany the treatment. For further help with the decision, see the article When is an addiction clinic sensible for cannabis use?

Common misunderstandings about rehabilitation

Around rehabilitation, there are ideas that make it hard for many people to get started. Three of them deserve a closer look.

“Without an inpatient stay, it does not work”

Rehabilitation can be organised in different ways. There are inpatient offers and outpatient routes with regular appointments. Which form suits your situation is clarified in counselling.

“A relapse ends everything”

A relapse does not mean that everything was in vain. It shows in which situations support is missing. Ask before admission how the facility deals with relapses.

“I have to be completely stable beforehand”

Many people come in a phase of uncertainty. Counselling clarifies whether the timing is right and helps you prepare. You do not have to prepare this step alone.

Documents and information

Which documents are needed for the application depends on the funding body. Clarify with it which information and proof it needs. A counselling service can help you draw up an overview and check whether anything is missing. Keep copies of all letters and note the name and date of every contact.

Relatives during treatment

Ask the facility whether and how relatives are involved. Clarify in advance who may be informed and which information may be passed on. That decision is yours. If relatives have questions, counselling services can help structure the conversations. The article “How does a family conversation help with counselling?” describes this step.

What helps after discharge

The time after treatment needs structure. Arrange appointments for follow-up talks, find a self-help group near you and keep a fixed daily routine. Also plan how you will deal with setbacks. This includes a contact you can call in difficult moments. An addiction counselling service remains a point of contact after your stay too.

What you can do now

1. Arrange a counselling conversation at an addiction counselling service near you.
2. Note your use over the last few weeks so that you can give concrete information in the conversation.
3. Ask the health insurer or the pension insurer about the requirements for rehabilitation.
4. For suicidal thoughts or an acute crisis, call the emergency number 112 straight away.

An overview of all offers is under Help and counselling.