Press Dispensary - September 21, 2005 - Cannabis is the fourth most widely used recreational drug on the planet after coffee tobacco and alcohol, with regular smokers in the UK thought to number over two million (British Crime Survey 2002). Clearhead (http://www.clearhead.org.uk), a London-based organisation, is supporting cannabis users with its website and weekend courses on how to quit.
Clearhead was launched by James Langton because he was frustrated by his own 30-year smoking habit. In 2001, he finally admitted he had a problem with cannabis. He says: ‘I looked for support and called The National Drugs Helpline, now known as Frank, only to be told I couldn’t be addicted to cannabis as it wasn’t addictive. What I needed was information, support and a practical course that would get to the core of my typical conflicted cannabis smoker’s dilemma. So I started Clearhead to fill the gap and help other smokers stop the habit. I’ve since stayed clean of drugs and alcohol for four years.’
Langton adds: ‘Since the reclassification of cannabis in 2004, significant publicity has been given to the link with mental health problems, as well as the increasing usage amongst the young, but little has been said about its long term use and the attendant problems that brings. As cannabis has been such a controversial subject for nearly 40 years, opinions have become polarised. The disparity in the law makes many users feel obliged to defend their right to use cannabis long after they begin to suffer negative physical and emotional side effects. Our course deals with the ‘peer pressure’ issue as part of how to quit. We are independently financed and offer no judgement or political opinion.’
Long-term cannabis smokers frequently experience short term memory loss, damaged cognitive function and poor concentration, while some suffer panic attacks, paranoia and depression. A United Nations’ report noted: ‘Cannabis meets all the official diagnostic criteria for drug dependence. Criteria include tolerance, withdrawal symptoms and difficulty in controlling use… Once tolerance is established, stopping the drug causes a range of withdrawal symptoms. These include anxiety, insomnia, tremor, irritability and aggressiveness…’
Langton maintains: ‘Once long term cannabis smokers stop using the drug after an initial adjustment period, they learn how to recognise more subtle natural highs as part of their birthright.’
Aimed at those who are seeking a healthier lifestyle, Clearhead’s course is designed to offer a time and place for quitting as well as on-going support. Its methodology is drawn from Langton’s own experience of dependence and successful quitting, research and the field of personal growth. It uses techniques specifically adapted to deal with cannabis addiction and encourages participants to examine their relationship with cannabis, leading them to a scenario of feeling motivated and comfortable about a decision to stop smoking dope. It is open to anyone aged 18 or over*.
The first Clearhead course will be held on 12-13 November form 9.30am to 5pm at The Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1 4RL. Full booking information is available at http://www.clearhead.org.uk. The inaugural course will be run as a free trial with subsequent weekends costing 120 GBP
* Participants who are receiving medication or therapy for mental health illness must have a note from their health practitioner explaining their treatment regime.
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Notes for editors
For further information please contact:
James Langton
Tel: 0208 994 9947
Email: info@clearhead.org.uk
Site: www.clearhead.org.uk
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