Empowering Change, Supporting Recovery
Cannabis misuse poses significant public health challenges, including increased hospitalizations for psychiatric disorders and heightened addiction risks leading to cannabis use disorder, particularly in regions where cannabis possession is legalized. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported 228 million cannabis users as of 2022, making it the most widely used drug in the world.
Cannabis addiction is difficult to address due to a lack of necessary skills, training, and resources for cessation counselling, along with time constraints faced by healthcare professionals. These barriers hinder effective support and treatment, while many users remain unaware of their dependency due to the subtle nature of its effects on health and daily life.
Recognizing the urgency of addressing this problem, GIPHI has developed UCannQuit app. UCannQuit equips healthcare professionals and social workers with the necessary skills and resources for effective cannabis cessation counseling, while also providing individuals on their journey to quit cannabis with self-administered tools and resources for support.
MYTH
Cannabis is prescribed by doctors, so it’s not harmful.
Cannabis is not addictive.
You can stop using cannabis at any time without withdrawal symptoms.
Cannabis helps with anxiety and depression long-term.
Using cannabis doesn’t impact daily functioning.
Cannabis is only harmful when smoked.
Cannabis is only addictive for people with other substance use issues.
FACT
Cannabis prescribed for medical use is carefully controlled and prescribed for specific conditions. Recreational use, however, carries risks of addiction and health issues
Around 9% of users develop cannabis use disorder, and the risk increases for those who start young.
Cannabis withdrawal is real, causing irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and cravings, which worsen mental health and make quitting difficult.
While it may provide short-term relief, chronic use can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and psychosis.
Using cannabis doesn’t impact daily functioning.
Side effects include impaired memory, concentration, and motivation which impair daily tasks.
Whether smoked, vaped, or consumed in edibles, cannabis affects brain function and mental health.
Cannabis addiction can affect anyone, regardless of their history with other substances.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted that the global rise in cannabis addiction is a public health concern, as it has been linked to impaired cognitive and motor function, contributing to a higher risk of accidents, including road traffic fatalities. It often leads to a range of physical and mental health issues, particularly among youth. Adults often end up using cannabis for years without being able to stop. Many users want to quit but aren’t successful doing it by themselves. There is an increased shortage of doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals. This creates a humongous gap between the demand and supply for Cannabis Cessation Counselling services.
UCannQuit was developed with the aim to train healthcare professionals and social workers to become cannabis cessation counselors. The app can also be self-administered by cannabis users who are on a quest to quit cannabis.
UCannQuit provides session-wise and evidence-based counseling protocol in lay language as both textual and graphical cues to be delivered in each session. With features like a
Including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, homeopathic and ayurvedic practitioners, and healthcare students seeking to enhance their skills in cannabis cessation counseling.
Accessible tools and counseling protocols empower social workers to support individuals and communities effectively.
Intuitive features allow individuals to independently manage their journey to quit cannabis.
Including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, homeopathic and ayurvedic practitioners, and healthcare students seeking to enhance their skills in cannabis cessation counseling.