Is there counselling for cannabis and mental health problems?

Counselling for cannabis and mental health problems is available. Many people who use cannabis also have anxiety, depressive phases or sleep disorders. Addiction counselling centres advise on use and refer you to suitable specialists where needed. The first point of contact for physical and mental clarification is the GP’s practice. It is important not to wait until the situation becomes unmanageable.

Why cannabis and mental health problems are linked

The link is complex. Psychological strain can lead people to use cannabis to calm down or to switch off. DigiSucht also describes how, for some people, cannabis takes on the function of coping with unpleasant feelings such as boredom, fear or difficulty falling asleep. Whether depressive low moods are connected with use is hard to say in an individual case. A doctor will clarify this.

According to cannabispraevention.de, short-term risks of cannabis include fear and panic feelings. There is a statistical link between cannabis use and psychosis. According to cannabispraevention.de, however, this link does not prove that cannabis actually causes psychosis. With an innate tendency towards psychosis, even small amounts of cannabis can be enough. The article Does cannabis increase the risk of psychosis? explains more.

What addiction counselling centres provide

Addiction counselling centres advise on use, dependence and the consequences for everyday life. This includes sleep, work, relationships and finances. Together with you, they consider which help fits. They do not make a diagnosis. That remains the task of doctors and psychotherapists.

When an independent mental illness is the main issue, counselling centres refer you to psychiatric practices, psychotherapists or clinics. How closely a centre works with these services is something you can ask it about. Referring you on is part of counselling and does not mean you are being turned away.

Typical warning signs

A mood swing is not automatically a crisis. Even so, there are signs that justify a professional check. These include persistent low mood, strong fear, withdrawal from daily life, long-lasting sleep problems or thoughts of harming yourself.

• Persistent low mood or loss of pleasure over several weeks
• Strong fear or panic that restricts everyday life
• Withdrawal from friends, family, and work or training
• Sleep problems that get worse with use
• Thoughts of harming yourself: immediate help is needed here

Where you can find help

The first route often leads to your GP. They can assess the situation and, where needed, refer you to a psychiatric practice. In parallel, you can visit an addiction counselling centre that keeps both in view. If you do not know where to turn, call a counselling centre and describe your concern.

The Federal Government’s Drugs Commissioner lists counselling offers on its website. These include the Sucht & Drogen Hotline on 01806 313031 (20 cents per call), the online counselling service DigiSucht (free of charge and anonymous on request), and the crisis chat for everyone under 25, which is free and confidential. Almost every city also has counselling centres. You will find them in the DHS addiction services directory. An overview of local services is in the article Where can I find an addiction counselling centre for cannabis?

What to do in a crisis

If you are in an acute crisis, or someone in your surroundings seems at risk, do not wait. Contact the emergency service or an emergency department. Stay with the person and get help. Use during a crisis usually makes things worse, so it should not be the way through in that moment.

Support is worthwhile after a crisis as well. Outpatient counselling helps prevent relapses and stabilises everyday life again. You can also ask questions about medication and therapy there.

How counselling and treatment work together

Counselling does not replace a diagnosis. If a mental illness is suspected, a doctor clarifies the situation. Addiction counselling can accompany you while treatment is under way. In many cases both services exchange information, provided you agree to it.

Your consent is decisive here. You can decide which information is passed on. A reputable service explains this step beforehand and asks for your consent before it makes contact.

What helps when use fluctuates

Many people go through phases of more and less use. Fluctuations are normal but should be observed. Note when you use cannabis and what your mood was beforehand. This shows patterns that help you in counselling.

Sleep, exercise and a fixed daily rhythm also affect mood. They do not replace treatment. They can, however, help stabilise the situation. Conversations with people you trust help in addition, because you then do not feel alone. If you have fears, you can get advice from a specialist on calming exercises.

If thoughts of self-harm or suicide come up, speak to a doctor or the emergency service immediately. Do not wait until the strain subsides. This step shows responsibility towards yourself.

Many people first experienced cannabis as a solution before they recognised the problem. It is therefore helpful to clarify your own motivation. Why do you use when your mood is low? Which other ways did you use earlier? Counselling works through questions like these with you.

A crisis can come back even after an improvement. Agree a plan with the counselling service for warning signs and for steps you can take before things escalate. Such a plan gives security and makes help faster to reach in an emergency.

Relatives who are worried should also seek support. They can take up their own counselling even if the affected person is not yet ready. Counselling helps you set limits and keep your own strain in view.

If psychological complaints persist over a longer period, it is worth talking about therapy options. Psychotherapy is possible not only in acute crises. Your doctor can explain the route to it.

What you can do now

First speak to your GP if psychological complaints and use are weighing on you. In parallel, you can call an addiction counselling centre and describe your concern. Write down what has changed, since when, and which substances you use. This makes every conversation easier.