Hashish Addiction Treatment: 5 Medical Steps to a Safe Recovery

Hashish addiction treatment: if you have been addicted to hashish for a long time and your life has started to change for the worse, it is time to begin the journey of recovery to protect your mental and physical health. Ideally, this should happen under medical supervision or during a stay at El Massar Center.

What are the symptoms of hashish addiction?

The symptoms of hashish addiction include the following:

Cravings

Most of the time you will feel that you want a dose of hashish, and you will feel intense anxiety and tension if you cannot get it.

Mood

You will experience sharp mood swings as your body becomes used to the drug.

Concentration and memory

You will notice that you forget things a lot and that your memory is not as sharp as it used to be.

Depression

You will experience a loss of passion or a sense of apathy.

Quantity

You will notice that each time you use, you increase the dose of hashish to get a stronger effect.

Difficulty stopping

You will find that you cannot stop using, even though you intend to.

Isolation

You will prefer to be alone all the time and will not want to attend family occasions or keep in touch with friends.

Neglecting responsibilities

You lose interest in your studies or no longer handle your responsibilities at work properly.

Money

Spending large sums of money to get hashish.

Eyes

Your eyes are red most of the time.

Mouth

Your mouth will be dry.

Sleep

You will have sleep disturbances or insomnia, or experience nightmares and disturbing dreams.

Appetite

Your appetite may increase or decrease.

Laziness and lethargy

You will notice that you cannot get things done as you used to.

Headaches

You will get headaches, especially when your body starts signalling that it wants its dose of the drug.

Dizziness and light-headedness

You will feel dizzy or light-headed several times a day, especially when you stand up suddenly.

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Causes of hashish addiction

The causes of hashish addiction include the following:

Escaping painful, negative emotions

If you have been through a trauma or a difficult situation and cannot face the negative emotions it brings, you may turn to hashish to dull those feelings or avoid facing them.

Self-esteem and self-respect

If you struggle with feelings of inadequacy and inferiority and do not feel your own worth, hashish lets you escape from facing those feelings.

Psychological disorders

You may use hashish to ease the symptoms of psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety and stress.

Sleep

Some people believe that using hashish treats sleep problems.

Genetics

You may become addicted to hashish because a member of your family was, or still is, addicted to it.

The brain's reward centres

Hashish acts on the brain's reward centres, causing them to release large amounts of dopamine. With continued use, the brain becomes used to the drug, and these centres only work when they get a dose of it.

Bad company

You may become addicted to hashish when you mix with the wrong crowd.

Environment

If you grew up in, or are living in, an environment full of stress and anxiety, you may use hashish to feel safe, even if only temporarily.

Money

Having a lot of money in the hands of an irresponsible person can lead them into drug addiction.

Emotional support

If you do not receive emotional support from your parents or family, you may turn to drugs to numb that emotional wound.

The harms of hashish addiction

The harms of hashish addiction include the following:

Concentration and memory

Your memory will weaken, and your concentration and attention will be lower than usual.

Thinking and decision-making

Your thinking and reactions will slow down, and you will find it hard to make decisions or settle them in good time.

Anxiety, stress and panic attacks

Your anxiety, stress and panic attacks will become more intense.

Depression

You may develop severe depression, marked by a complete loss of passion.

Mood

You will have sharp mood swings most of the time.

Psychosis and schizophrenia

You may begin to see and hear things that are not there, and experience hallucinations and delusions.

Lethargy and laziness

You will feel mentally and physically exhausted for most of the day, so you cannot work or get things done properly.

Sleep

You will have sleep problems such as insomnia, broken sleep, or vivid dreams and nightmares.

Immunity

Your immune system will be seriously weakened, and you will be more vulnerable to infectious diseases.

Appetite

Your appetite will be either greater or smaller than usual.

The respiratory system

You will develop several respiratory problems, such as coughing and bronchitis.

Academic and professional performance

Your performance at work and in your studies will suffer, and you could lose your job because of the addiction.

Isolation

Most of the time you will want to withdraw from the outside world.

Financial problems

You may run into financial problems from spending your income, or a large part of it, on buying hashish.

Legal consequences

This happens if you resort to illegal ways of getting money, such as theft or armed robbery.

The effect of hashish on the nervous system and the brain

Short-term memory

You will not remember things that happened to you minutes ago or very recently.

Thinking and reactions

Your reactions will become slow, and so will your thinking and your ability to make decisions.

Sensory perception

Your perception changes, so the things around you look different: you see them in intense or altered colours.

Mood

You will have distressing mood swings that leave you emotionally unstable.

Physical balance

You will feel dizzy and light-headed most of the time, or your movements will be slow.

Heart rate

Your heart rate increases because hashish has a negative effect on the autonomic nervous system.

Memory and learning

You will have ongoing memory problems and find it hard to learn.

Concentration

Your concentration will be poor, and you will be unable to make sound decisions.

Brain structure

Changes occur in the structure of the brain, especially in the centres for learning and emotion, leaving you unable to learn useful things or make decisions at the right time.

Anxiety and depression

You will be more vulnerable to certain psychological illnesses and disorders, such as depression and insomnia.

Psychosis

You are likely to develop mental illnesses, including psychosis, in which you feel suspicious and begin to see and hear things that are not real.

Effect on the nervous system

Hashish has a negative effect on the brain's endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating the sleep cycle, mood, appetite and memory. That is why you will suffer from insomnia and poor memory once your body becomes used to the drug.

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Treating hashish addiction at home

Hashish addiction can be treated at home, but this must be done under medical supervision and only if you have not been addicted to hashish for a long time. The steps of this treatment include the following:

First: psychological preparation

Identify your main reason for treating your hashish addiction, then write down the benefits you will gain once you have recovered, so you can read them whenever you feel the urge to use during recovery.

Second: stopping gradually

It is better to stop using hashish gradually so that you are not shocked when strong withdrawal symptoms appear.

Third: withdrawal symptoms

These symptoms can be eased through exercise and a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, and you may take painkillers and sedatives under medical supervision if the symptoms become unbearable.

Fourth: psychological care

While treating hashish addiction at home, you can do a number of things that lift your spirits and help you complete your recovery, including meditation, keeping a diary or journal, staying in touch with people who support you, and staying well away from bad company and places linked to drug use.

Fifth: activities and hobbies

You can take up your favourite hobby while recovering at home, to keep your mind usefully occupied and improve your mood.

Sixth: regular review

Assess yourself and your progress in recovery every week, so you can recognise what helps you get through this stage and keep going. This review also helps you see your most important achievements of the week and celebrate them, however small.

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How should you deal with someone addicted to hashish?

Here are some tips to help you deal with someone addicted to hashish:

First: understand what addiction is

The body and nervous system become used to the drug regardless of how much the person intends to stop or recover, so it is best not to blame or scold them, so that they do not dig their heels in or refuse treatment.

Second: the right way to approach them

Talk to the person calmly, choose the right moment, and speak about your concern for them rather than their mistakes.

Do not give them money to buy hashish, and set clear boundaries about what is and is not acceptable to you.

Encouraging the person to seek treatment is also one of the things most likely to get them started on hashish addiction treatment.

How long hashish stays in urine and blood

How long hashish stays in urine and blood varies from person to person according to a number of factors, such as the amount used. In general, however, it is as follows:

How long hashish stays in urine

First-time use

If you have used hashish for the first time, or only once, it stays in your urine for between 1 and 3 days.

Occasional use

If you use hashish now and then, it stays in your urine for between 3 and 7 days.

Near-daily use

In this case, hashish remains detectable for between 10 and 15 days.

Chronic daily use

In this case, hashish stays in the urine for between 30 and 45 days.

How long hashish stays in the blood

First-time use

In this case, hashish stays in the blood for up to 24 hours.

Regular use

In this case, hashish stays in the blood for between 2 and 7 days.

Chronic use

In this case, hashish stays in the blood for about two weeks.

Pills that help you quit hashish

Medications used in treating hashish addiction include the following:

Seroquel

One of the best medications for treating schizophrenia, psychosis and severe depression; it also eases anxiety and stress.

Tryptizol

This medication eases the symptoms of depression and anxiety you may feel during recovery, and it also treats insomnia, relieves nerve pain and treats migraine.

Recovery rate from hashish addiction

There is no fixed success rate for hashish addiction treatment, as it depends on several factors that vary from person to person. In general, however, recent scientific studies indicate that the recovery rate from hashish addiction is between 40% and 60% for people who have stayed completely free of addiction for a year or more.

Hashish withdrawal symptoms and how to manage them

Hashish withdrawal symptoms include the following:

Anxiety and stress

Most of the time you feel tense, anxious and under psychological pressure.

Irritability and anger

The psychological pressure you feel most of the time later turns into anger and irritability over the smallest things.

Mood

You will have sharp mood swings between mania and depression, which make you more anxious and tense.

Depression

One of its symptoms is a loss of passion.

Emptiness

You will often feel empty, as if there is nothing inside.

Cravings

You will have a strong urge to use hashish again.

Headache

You will have severe headaches, which may be constant or come and go throughout the day.

Sweating

Your body will sweat heavily even without any exertion.

Tremors and spasms

You may experience tremors or spasms throughout your body during recovery.

How can withdrawal symptoms be managed?

Emotional support

Support the person through recovery by reassuring them that these symptoms are temporary and will soon pass.

Nutrition and sleep

Sleeping at set times helps the brain find its balance, and eating healthy food and drinking enough water throughout the day helps the body clear out stored toxins quickly.

What are the stages of effective hashish addiction treatment?

Overcoming hashish addiction for good involves a number of stages, including:

First: stopping use gradually

You can stop using hashish gradually under the supervision of a specialist doctor, or during a stay at a medical centre specialising in addiction treatment such as El Massar Center. This eases the withdrawal symptoms you feel after stopping, whether gradually or suddenly.

Second: withdrawal symptoms

After you stop using hashish you will experience psychological and physical symptoms, whose intensity varies from person to person. You will be prescribed a number of substitute medications to ease these symptoms, along with painkillers.

Third: psychological rehabilitation

Once you have fully recovered from hashish addiction, you will have therapy sessions to prepare you psychologically and behaviourally to live and deal with reality in a positive way, so that you do not relapse when you encounter a trigger and you stop using hashish for good.

Fourth: lifestyle

After leaving El Massar Center or completing your recovery, you need to follow a positive lifestyle so that you do not return to addiction. This includes eating healthy food and exercising twice a week.

What is the best centre for hashish addiction treatment?

El Massar Center is one of the best specialist medical centres for hashish addiction treatment in the Middle East, because it uses a combined medication and psychological treatment plan with its clients so they do not relapse after leaving the centre when they encounter a trigger.

How much does hashish addiction treatment cost?

The cost of hashish addiction treatment in Egypt varies from person to person, as it depends on a number of factors such as the type of centre and the length of treatment. In general, however, costs are as follows:

Private medical centres

Prices range between 20,000 and 60,000 Egyptian pounds.

Government medical centres

Treatment costs between 1,000 and 1,500 Egyptian pounds.

How is hashish addiction treated at El Massar Center?

The hashish addiction Program at El Massar Center involves several stages:

Diagnosis and assessment

At this stage you will have a full medical examination to check your state of health after addiction and to find out how much hashish has affected your body and brain. You will also have a drug test at the centre to measure the level of the drug in your body.

The centre will also carry out a number of psychological tests to find out how far hashish has affected your psychological and mental state.

The treatment plan

Once the assessment is complete, a treatment plan is drawn up for you based on it, including the medications that will help you get through withdrawal with as little pain as possible.

It also includes a diet prepared for you at the centre, which helps boost your immunity and gives you the energy and vitality to get through withdrawal faster and with less pain.

The plan also covers your psychological rehabilitation after the drug has left your body, including the number of sessions set for you and the techniques used in them, such as cognitive behavioural therapy.

Withdrawal symptoms

This is one of the most serious and important stages of hashish addiction treatment, as the body begins to rid itself of the drug once use stops. Withdrawal symptoms appear less than 24 hours after you stop using.

These symptoms are both psychological and physical, and you will be prescribed a number of medications during this stage to ease them.

Psychological rehabilitation

Once the drug has completely left your body, the centre's psychologist will meet with you over several sessions to prepare you psychologically and behaviourally before you leave, so you can face challenges with wisdom and patience rather than escaping them through drug use.

This stage may take several months, during which a new, more positive identity is built for you, one that is more resilient and better able to deal with life's challenges.

After recovery

At this stage you are advised to follow a positive lifestyle to protect your mental and physical health, including a healthy diet and exercising once or twice a week.

El Massar Center will also follow up with you by phone from time to time to check on your health and offer any help you need.

From time to time the centre will also invite you to attend group therapy sessions, where you can express yourself freely, as these sessions offer a high level of safety and privacy. Over the long term this will make you more self-confident.

Frequently asked questions about hashish addiction treatment

Can hashish addiction be treated without pain?

Yes, hashish addiction can be treated without pain. This is done in specialist addiction treatment centres under the supervision of specialist doctors.

Which medications ease hashish withdrawal symptoms?

Medications that ease hashish withdrawal symptoms include the following:

• Rivotril: this medication treats epilepsy and eases stress and anxiety.
• Buspar: this medication eases anxiety and stress during recovery.

Does hashish cause psychosis or schizophrenia?

Yes, hashish causes psychosis and schizophrenia.

Can hashish addiction be treated without going into a rehab clinic?

Yes, but only in cases where the person is not addicted to hashish or has not been using it for a long time.

Why do some people fail to quit hashish?

Some people fail to quit hashish because their body has become completely dependent on it, because they fear they will not be able to bear the withdrawal symptoms after stopping, or because they are in an environment that is unsupportive or encourages drug use.

Does the brain return to normal after quitting hashish?

Yes, in most cases the brain returns to normal once hashish addiction treatment is complete.

Does hashish cause addiction the first time?

No, hashish does not cause addiction if you use it only once or for the first time.

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