Mental Health and Cannabis
For people with mental health problems, using cannabis can be very harmful – worsening symptoms, interfering with medication and increasing the likelihood of relapse.
The damaging effects of cannabis may not be as obvious as the impact of other kinds of substance misuse. But, as the most widely used illegal drug in the UK, it is important to acknowledge the seriousness of those effects and to address them.
Information for patients and practitioners
The Government has produced a number of information materials to help mental health practitioners raise and discuss the subject of cannabis use with service users.
The pack, called ‘How cannabis can affect people with mental health problems’, was created after consultation with users, carers and mental health professionals.
As part of a wider package of care, its aim is to help draw people closer to the point where they decide for themselves to change their cannabis use.
Download documents
- Guidance notes
- Cannabis and your mental health (Patient leaflet)
- Quiz card
- Guide to cutting down (Patient leaflet)
To order hard copies
To order more copies of this information free of charge, call 08701 555 455. For the pack ‘How cannabis can affect people with mental health problems’, ask for ‘266823pack’, for the leaflet ‘Cannabis and your mental health’, ask for ‘266823CMH’ and for the ‘Guide to cutting down and stopping’ ask for ‘266823KC’.
For more information on Dual Diagnosis please click here.