Cannabis and Nicotine Addiction Treatment following symptomatic Procrastination

Cannabis and Nicotine Addiction Treatment following Procrastination Problems

The OAD Clinic recognises that cannabis addiction is often paired with nicotine addiction, and that managing withdrawal from both substances is an important component of treatment and recovery. Targeted motivational counselling, medication for withdrawal management from both substances and regular reviews are integral in our approach to overcome both cannabis, mental health and nicotine dependence

Jake's Story with Cannabis and Nicotine Addiction, and symptomatic procrastination

"I started smoking cannabis in my teens, and for a long time I convinced myself it wasn't really a problem. It was simply part of my daily routine. Smoking helped me relax at the end of the day and switch off from life's stresses. Like many people addicted to weed, I believed it was harmless.

Looking back now, I can see that my circle of friends back home was the biggest catalyst to my addiction. It wasn't dramatic or obvious at first, but little by little, cannabis began affecting every area of my life, including my pocket.

I found it increasingly difficult to start even simple tasks. Projects would sit unfinished for weeks, sometimes months, because I simply couldn't bring myself to begin. I wasn't necessarily depressed, but I constantly felt mentally foggy, emotionally flat and disconnected from my own aims. I kept telling myself I would make changes "next week" or "next month", but those promises never became a reality.

Whenever I tried to stop smoking cannabis, things became even harder. Within days, I became irritable, impatient and emotionally overwhelmed. Small frustrations felt enormous, and I found myself reacting in ways that didn't feel like me. The cravings became very intense, and eventually I would smoke again. Not because I wanted to, but because it felt like the only way to feel normal.

After years of trying to quit through willpower alone, I finally accepted that I couldn't do it by myself. I'd tried cutting down, stopping suddenly and taking breaks, but every attempt ended the same way. I also worried that going to rehab for smoking weed would not be taken seriously. Too many people had told me that cannabis wasn't addictive or that I should simply "get over it." I didn't want to be judged.

When I spoke to The OAD Clinic staff, rather than minimising my symptoms, they listened carefully to my story and took the time to understand how cannabis dependence had affected every aspect of my life. It was through them that I learnt that the tobacco in the joints was what was actually making it super hard to quit.

The doctor developed a personalised outpatient cannabis addiction treatment plan designed around my goals: to revise and have a chance at sitting exams at university. Instead of expecting me to simply stop smoking and cope with the withdrawal symptoms alone, they focused on helping me manage the very issues that had caused every previous relapse: the tobacco and the excessive amount of cannabis, as I was smoking between 6 and 7 joints daily.

One of the biggest revelations during my treatment was discovering that I wasn't only dependent on cannabis. Like many people who smoke cannabis mixed with tobacco, I had also developed a significant nicotine addiction without fully appreciating it at all. Nobody had ever explained this to me before. Understanding that I was experiencing withdrawal from both cannabis and nicotine completely changed the way I viewed my previous failed attempts to quit. Suddenly, everything made sense.

The doctors prescribed selected medications to help manage my irritability, emotional instability and intense cravings while my brain and nervous system adapted to life without cannabis. They also explained how prolonged cannabis use can affect motivation, emotional regulation and reward pathways in the brain, helping me understand that what I was experiencing had a genuine biological origin rather than being a personal weakness. What impressed me most was how closely my treatment was monitored.

I attended regular follow-up appointments where my progress was reviewed, my treatment adjusted when necessary, and any concerns addressed promptly. I never felt expected to simply "power through" difficult moments on my own. Knowing that experienced addiction specialists were supporting me throughout the process made recovery feel achievable for the first time.

One day I realised that situations which would normally have irritated or overwhelmed me no longer had the same effect and I could also concentrate. I was responding calmly instead of reacting impulsively. The cravings were still present, but they no longer controlled my behaviour. I could acknowledge them, allow them to pass and continue with my day without automatically reaching for cannabis.

I'm now clean and my motivation has slowly returned, and with it, a sense of purpose I hadn't felt for years. I have more energy, greater mental clarity and the ability to follow through on plans instead of endlessly postponing them. Tasks that once felt overwhelming, such as revising for exams, now seem entirely manageable. Emotionally, I feel much more balanced. I'm calmer, more patient and far less reactive to everyday stresses. My relationships have improved because I'm more present with the people around me, and I find myself engaging more fully both at work and with my girlfriend.

No longer smoking weed, for me, isn't about perfection. It's about continuing to move forward. It's about making conscious choices instead of living on autopilot. It's about finally feeling in control of my own life again. If you've been using cannabis and have repeatedly struggled to quit, I want you to know that you're not weak, and you're certainly not alone. Getting the right medical support made all the difference for me. The personalised, evidence-based care I received at The OAD Clinic gave me the tools, understanding and confidence I needed to achieve this lasting recovery. Looking back, asking for help wasn't admitting a weakness. It was the best decision I could have made, and it gave me the opportunity to build a healthier, more fulfilling future free from cannabis dependence and nicotine."

Jake Mayfield, Patient

This account is published with the patient's consent; identifying details have been changed.

How The OAD Clinic treats cannabis and nicotine addiction when procrastination is also an issue

Our clinical team provides personalised, evidence-based cannabis addiction treatment for people who want to stop smoking cannabis and regain control of their mental health, motivation and daily life. We recognise that cannabis dependence often affects emotional wellbeing, concentration, relationships, work or education, and overall quality of life. Our outpatient treatment plans that address both the physical and psychological aspects of weed addiction, helping patients overcome withdrawal symptoms while supporting long-term recovery.

Our treatment options include:

Comprehensive cannabis addiction assessment – an in-depth evaluation of cannabis use, mental health, lifestyle and recovery goals to create a personalised treatment plan
Dual cannabis and nicotine dependence treatment – identifying and treating hidden nicotine addiction in patients who smoke cannabis with tobacco, helping to reduce cravings and prevent relapse
Medication-assisted cannabis withdrawal management – carefully selected medications to help manage irritability, anxiety, emotional instability, cravings and other cannabis withdrawal symptoms
Mental health support during cannabis recovery – psychosocial intervention following NICE guidelines addressing the effects of long-term cannabis use on motivation, emotional regulation, concentration and reward pathways. Treatment paths include motivational interviewing
Relapse prevention strategies – helping patients understand the causes of previous relapse while building practical coping skills for long-term abstinence from cannabis

All treatment is delivered on an outpatient basis and applying evidence-based addiction medicine: compassionate, non-judgemental treatment delivered by clinicians experienced in cannabis addiction, nicotine dependence and co-existing mental health concerns. Our regular clinical reviews form an integral part of all treatment paths to facilitate ongoing monitoring and prompt adjustment of treatment throughout recovery.

Flexible Online and Face-to-Face Appointments

We understand that not every patient can attend the clinic in person. We offer secure online addiction treatment appointments, making ongoing care accessible for patients with disabilities, mobility difficulties, demanding careers or those living elsewhere in the UK or internationally.

Cannabis and Nicotine Addiction while handling Procrastination: Frequently Asked Questions answered by Jake

Can you actually become addicted to cannabis?

For years, I convinced myself cannabis wasn't addictive because that's what everyone around me said. I started smoking weed in my teens, and it gradually became part of my daily routine. Every time I tried to quit, the withdrawals became overwhelming. It wasn't until I went for help at The OAD Clinic that I understood cannabis dependence is real and that many people need specialist support to overcome it.

Why was it so difficult for me to quit smoking weed?

I used to think I lacked energy for it, but that wasn't the case at all. Every time I stopped smoking cannabis, I became irritable, emotionally overwhelmed and struggled to concentrate. The cravings felt impossible to ignore and this was affecting my relationship with my girlfriend. The doctors at The OAD Clinic explained that long-term cannabis use changes the brain's reward system, making withdrawal far more difficult than most people realise. Understanding the science behind my addiction helped remove the guilt I'd carried.

Why do I get angry and irritable when I stop smoking cannabis?

That was one of my biggest withdrawal symptoms. Within a few days of stopping cannabis, even the smallest things would make me angry. I became impatient, emotional and reactive, and I hated the person I was becoming. During my cannabis addiction treatment, I learnt these symptoms are common during withdrawal and can be managed with the right medical support. Once my treatment was tailored to my needs, those emotions gradually became much easier to handle, and I mean gradually.

Can cannabis withdrawal affect your ability to study?

Yeah definitely. One of the main reasons I finally asked for help was because I wanted to pass my university exams. When I was smoking cannabis every day, I couldn't concentrate for long enough to revise properly. My motivation disappeared, and I kept putting everything off. The personalised outpatient treatment plan at The OAD Clinic was designed around helping me stop smoking cannabis while still preparing for university. As my recovery progressed, my concentration and motivation slowly returned.

Why couldn't I stop smoking weed even though I wanted to?

I genuinely wanted to stop, but every attempt ended the same way. I'd become overwhelmed by cravings and eventually smoke again just to feel normal. What changed everything was learning that I was also dependent on the tobacco I mixed into my joints. Nobody had ever explained that before. Once my treatment tackled both addictions, quitting finally became sort of achievable.

Can smoking cannabis with tobacco make quitting harder?

Without a doubt. Discovering that I had developed a nicotine addiction as well as a cannabis addiction was probably the biggest breakthrough in my recovery. I had spent years blaming cannabis alone, when in reality I was withdrawing from two addictive substances at the same time. Understanding this completely changed my treatment and finally explained why my previous attempts to quit had always failed.

Is outpatient cannabis addiction treatment effective?

For me, it was exactly what I needed. I didn't want to put my life on hold or leave university to go into residential rehab. The OAD Clinic created a personalised outpatient cannabis addiction treatment programme that fitted around my studies and their clinic is in central London which made it so much easier. I attended regular reviews, my medication was adjusted whenever necessary, and I always felt supported throughout the process, and I'm grateful for that.

Can cannabis addiction affect motivation?

It certainly affected mine. Before treatment, I struggled to begin even simple tasks. Coursework, revision and everyday responsibilities felt overwhelming. I constantly promised myself I'd start tomorrow, but tomorrow never came. Since stopping cannabis, my motivation has gradually returned. I now finish what I start, and for the first time in years I feel like I'm moving forwards instead of standing still.

Can smoking weed affect your mental health?

Looking back, it definitely affected mine. I wasn't necessarily depressed, but I constantly felt mentally foggy, emotionally flat and disconnected from my goals. I found it difficult to enjoy things without cannabis, and I reacted badly to stress. The doctors explained how long-term cannabis use can affect emotional regulation and brain chemistry, which helped me understand that what I was experiencing wasn't simply a lack of motivation.

Can I quit cannabis without going to rehab?

That was one of my biggest concerns. I didn't think smoking weed was "serious enough" for rehab, and I didn't want people to judge me. The OAD Clinic offered a private outpatient cannabis treatment programme, which meant I could continue studying, go to the appointments around university and recover without stepping away from my normal life.

Will I ever enjoy life without cannabis?

I honestly wondered that myself. Cannabis had become part of almost everything I did, so I couldn't imagine relaxing without it. Now I realise life is actually far better. My energy has returned, I can concentrate again, my relationships with my friends have improved, and I genuinely enjoy spending time with friends and my girlfriend without needing to smoke first.

How long does cannabis withdrawal last?

Everyone is different, but in my experience the first few weeks were the hardest. The cravings, irritability and emotional ups and downs gradually became easier to manage because I had regular reviews and ongoing medical support. Knowing that experienced addiction specialists were monitoring my progress made a huge difference and stopped me from giving up during the difficult moments.

Can cannabis addiction affect relationships?

It definitely affected mine. I became emotionally distant, less present and often irritated by the people closest to me. Since stopping cannabis, I feel calmer, more patient and much more engaged with my girlfriend, family and friends.

Does cannabis addiction affect university students?

I think it's more common than many people realise. University life can make daily cannabis use feel normal because so many people around you are smoking weed. For me, it gradually affected my motivation, concentration and academic performance without me fully noticing. Getting help before my exams allowed me to regain focus and finally give myself the opportunity to achieve the grades I was capable of.

What helped you stay off cannabis after so many failed attempts?

The biggest difference was finally understanding my addiction instead of blaming myself. The team at The OAD Clinic explained why I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms, identified my nicotine dependence which was huge news for me, created a personalised treatment plan and reviewed me regularly as I was getting better. I no longer felt like I had to fight cravings on my own.

What advice would you give someone struggling to quit smoking weed?

Don't assume you have to battle through it alone like I did for years. If you've tried to stop smoking cannabis several times and keep relapsing, there may be more going on than you realise, especially if you mix cannabis with tobacco. Getting professional help completely changed my understanding of addiction and gave me the tools to recover. Actually, asking for help wasn't admitting defeat. Thanks to this help I managed to finish university and finally feel in control of my life.

Clinically reviewed by Dr Oscar D'Agnone MD, MRCPsych | Medical Director - Last reviewed: 25 July 2026

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