What are the risks of using cannabis?

Some young people believe that cannabis is a safe drug but this is FALSE. It can cause users harm. 

Not all of the risks of cannabis are clear but it is known that:

• Even hardcore smokers can become anxious, panicky, suspicious or paranoid.
• Cannabis affects your coordination, which is one of the reasons why drug driving is just as illegal as drink driving.
• Some people think cannabis is harmless just because it’s a plant – but it isn’t harmless. Cannabis, like tobacco, has lots of chemical 'nasties', which can cause lung disease and possibly cancer with long-term or heavy use, especially as it is often mixed with tobacco and smoked without a filter. It can also make asthma worse, and cause wheezing in non-asthma sufferers.
• Cannabis can affect many different systems in the body, including the heart. It increases the heart rate and can affect blood pressure.
• If you’ve a history of mental health problems, then taking cannabis is not a good idea. It can cause paranoia in the short term, but in those with a pre-existing psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia, it can contribute to relapse. 
• If you use cannabis and have a family background of mental illness, such as schizophrenia, you may be at increased risk of developing a psychotic illness.
• It is reported that frequent use of cannabis can cut a man's sperm count, reduce sperm mobility, and can suppress ovulation in women and so may affect fertility. 
• If you’re pregnant, smoking cannabis frequently may have some association with the risk of the baby being born smaller than expected.
• Regular, heavy use makes it difficult to learn and concentrate which can affect young people’s performance at school or work.
• It can lead to difficulties in relationships with family and friends.
• Some people feel tired all the time and can’t be bothered doing anything.
• Some users may want to buy strong herbal cannabis to get ‘a bigger high’ but unpleasant reactions can be more powerful when you use strong cannabis, and it is possible that continued use of strong cannabis could lead to more users becoming hooked or being more at risk of developing the mental health effects.

What are the chances of getting hooked?

Often when people start to use cannabis they think they will never have a problem.
Like other drugs, the chance of getting hooked on cannabis is influenced by a number of factors, like how long you’ve been using it, how much you use and whether you are just more prone to become dependent. 

Are there withdrawal symptoms if you stop using cannabis?

You may find you have difficulty stopping regular use and you may experience withdrawals when you do stop. The withdrawals can include cravings for cannabis, irritability, mood changes; appetite disturbance, weight loss, difficulty sleeping and even sweating, shaking and diarrhoea in some people.

Where can I get help?

If you are worried about your own or someone else’s use of cannabis and would like to speak to someone for advice, support or help please contact ReFresh in Hull on (01482) 331059, Monday – Friday, 12:30pm – 2:00pm. You can call outside of these times but they can’t guarantee a worker will be available but you will be able to leave a message.  If you leave a telephone number, were it will be ok to contact you, a worker from ReFresh will give you a call to see how they can help.

You can drop in to speak to a worker at ReFresh Monday – Friday, 12.30pm – 2:00pm.  You can find ReFresh in between Superdrug and the Orange Shop, behind the big screen on King Edward Street. The address is Young People’s Support Service, Stonefield House, 16-20 King Edward Street, Hull, HU1 3SS.

You can email ReFresh if you have a question or would like some advice: refresh@hullcc.gov.uk. You don’t need to give your name or any other details.

If you have a question or want some advice or information you can use the ReFresh anonymous text service. Text 07795563000 and start your message with ‘refresh’ (this costs what your network charges for a text message).

For more information talk to FRANK on 0800 77 66 00 or visit www.talktofrank.com
You can also text questions to FRANK on 82111, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

You can access on line self help at www.knowcannabis.org.uk