WHAT WE TREAT
We can help you break the cycle of needing cannabis to function, relax, and escape from the stress in your life. Through our combination of medical, psychological and personal treatments, we can address each and every underlying cause of your cannabis addiction so you can regain control of your life.
Cannabis addiction is similar to alcohol addiction insofar as while some people can smoke cannabis in moderation and never encounter an issue, this is not the case for everyone. And, for those of us who find ourselves struggling with a cannabis dependency, it can take an enormous tollboth psychologically and physically.
Cannabis can be highly addictive for those of us struggling with undiagnosed anxiety or depressive disorders. In other words, it becomes addictive because it helps us ‘get out of our own minds.’ The psychoactive effects of cannabis creates a kind of distance from our anxiety or depression symptoms (which we often mistake as ‘ourselves’), which then creates a sense of relief. It is that relief, born out of the need to distance ourselves from our symptoms, that makes cannabis addictive.
This is because your brain will begin to associate anxiety-less states with cannabis, which forms a dependency that sows the seeds for tolerance to set in. Not only will you need to smoke more to feel less anxious, but every single time you try to quit smoking, that underlying anxiety will come back more severely.
Cannabis use leads to changes in cognitive function that can affect learning, memory and mood for days or weeks. Long-term use can lead to more permanent impairments which may increase anxiety levels, paranoia, and impact one’s relationship with their loved ones, career, and themselves. Paranoia is a highly common side-effect of chronic cannabis use and it can significantly exacerbate symptoms; particularly when someone is stuck in the addictive cycle and feels like they must smoke, despite knowing how terribly paranoid it will make them feel. In some cases, cannabis use increases an individual’s likelihood of developing psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse dependency, and psychosis.
bESPOKE treatment
How we treat cannabis addiction
We can’t tell you exactly what your four-week stay will involve because every person’s experience with cannabis dependency is unique. At Paracelsus Recovery, we understand how complex and multifaceted your relationship with cannabis is. Therefore, we create a bespoke treatment plan for every individual, with no pre-defined path.
Your time with us is carefully structured to include a range of tailored therapeutic elements designed to untangle the hold cannabis has on your life. This personalised blend of therapies is curated to ensure that every aspect of your physical, emotional, and psychological health is addressed. This includes treating any mental health issues that your cannabis use may be masking. See below for more details.
Our approach considers the whole person: mind, body and soul
Paracelsus Recovery was the first residential drug treatment centre to introduce functional medicine and interdisciplinary modalities into its treatment programmes. Since the beginning, we’ve known that addictions are a consequence of imbalances in life. Healing requires understanding how and why those imbalances came to be so that we can treat the underlying causes, not just the symptoms.
For example, cannabis addiction can often be rooted in emotional and psychological causes, such as using the substance to cope with chronic stress, anxiety, or past trauma. For some individuals, cannabis may provide temporary relief from overwhelming emotions or intrusive thoughts, leading to a dependency on its calming effects. On a physical level, the endocannabinoid system, which regulates mood, appetite, and sleep, can become dysregulated with frequent use, creating a cycle where the body “craves” cannabis to restore balance. Cellular changes, such as altered receptor sensitivity in the brain, can further reinforce the addictive cycle, making it harder to quit without experiencing withdrawal symptoms like irritability, insomnia, or heightened anxiety. Therefore, in addition to a detoxification process, your treatment programme addresses and restores your wellbeing on these cellular, physical and psychological levels through therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), trauma-focused therapy, nutritional therapy, and acupuncture.
Alongside treating the root causes of cannabis addiction, we address its lasting effects, such as the neurological or physical damage caused by substance use. Our approach tackles these issues in parallel to addressing the deeper factors fuelling your addiction. Through intensive psychotherapy, biochemical restoration, and complementary therapies, we focus on reducing stress and guiding you toward lasting recovery.
15+ team members, all dedicated to your health and well-being
We are the only residential treatment centre in the world to provide a minimum of 15 dedicated professionals to each client.
With a team-to-client ratio of more than 15:1, we provide around-the-clock support to get you on the road to recovery. A live-in therapist will also be available for emotional support 24/7 from when you arrive to when you leave. No matter the unique blend of treatments you receive, they will be delivered with the Swiss medical excellence we are known for.
Comprehensive programmes as unique as you are
Guided by our core principles of pragmatism and empathy, we pride ourselves on truly meeting our clients where they are and providing them with the treatment they need to recover.
We can provide treatment for cannabis addiction and any co-occurring dependencies and mental health conditions at our residential drug treatment centre in Zurich.
FURTHER READING
