Cannabis Addiction & Dependence — Facts and Ways Out

Cannabis is less likely to cause dependence and has milder withdrawal than alcohol or nicotine — but addiction is real. ~9% lifetime prevalence.

TL;DR: Cannabis ~9%, alcohol ~15%, nicotine ~32%, cocaine ~17%, heroin ~23% (NESARC). CUD diagnosis: ≥2 out of 11 DSM-5 criteria. Withdrawal (DSM-5 since 2013): irritability, sleep issues, appetite loss, anxiety — lasting 1–2 weeks. Treatment: CBT, Motivational Interviewing.

DSM-5 Criteria

Consuming more than intended · unsuccessful desire to cut down · spending a lot of time obtaining/using · craving · neglecting obligations · social withdrawal · continued use despite problems · tolerance · withdrawal symptoms · use in hazardous situations · giving up important activities.

≥2 = mild, 4–5 = moderate, ≥6 = severe.

Withdrawal — Real but Manageable

Irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances (vivid dreams/nightmares return), decreased appetite, sweating, tremors.

Peak at days 2–6, subsiding within 1–2 weeks. Sleep issues can persist for up to 1 month.

No delirium tremens like with alcohol — but a major trigger for relapse.

Support and Help in Switzerland

Addiction Switzerland (Sucht Schweiz): 0800 104 104, free, anonymous, multilingual.

SafeZone.ch: Online counselling via chat, email, and forums.

Cantonal addiction support centres: suchtindex.ch.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and Motivational Interviewing are the evidence-based standards.

FAQ

Can I just quit cold turkey?

For mild consumption, usually yes. For daily, long-term use, structured professional support is significantly more successful.

Can CBD help with THC withdrawal?

Freeman 2020 (Lancet Psychiatry): high-dose CBD (400–800 mg) can reduce THC consumption. However, it should not be used as unsupervised self-medication.