Cannabis (bhang) addiction

What it is

Cannabis (bhang, marijuana) use disorder is a pattern of continued use despite harm, with difficulty cutting down. A common myth holds that cannabis cannot be addictive; the evidence is clear that it can be. Regular users can develop tolerance, cravings, and a real withdrawal syndrome on stopping (irritability, poor sleep, low appetite, restlessness, anxiety), which often drives a return to use.

Today's cannabis is also often far more potent than in past decades, which raises the risks. “Natural” and “herbal” are not the same as safe; many harmful substances are natural.

The mental health link

Cannabis deserves particular honesty about mental health. Heavy use, especially of high-potency cannabis and especially beginning in adolescence while the brain is still developing, is associated with a higher risk of psychosis and can trigger a first psychotic episode in vulnerable people. It can also worsen anxiety and interfere with motivation, memory and learning. For young people, these risks are not hypothetical, and they are a key reason to take cannabis dependence seriously rather than dismiss it.

How common is it

Cannabis, widely known as bhang, is the most commonly used illegal drug in Kenya and across much of the world, and a meaningful share of regular users develop dependence. In Kenya, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) reports that use is highest among young people, the group for whom the risks are greatest.

What causes it

There is no single cause. The risk is higher with early use in the teenage years, frequent and high-potency use, a family history of addiction, and using cannabis to cope with stress, sleep problems, or low mood. With regular use the brain adapts, so more is needed for the same effect and stopping brings withdrawal, which makes the pattern hard to break.

How it is diagnosed

A clinician makes the diagnosis through an honest conversation about how much and how often a person uses, whether they can cut down, cravings, withdrawal, and the effect on study, work, mood, and relationships. There is no test that diagnoses the disorder itself. The clinician also checks for anxiety, low mood, or unusual thoughts, which can occur alongside heavy use.

How it is treated

There are no approved medicines specifically for cannabis use disorder; treatment is primarily psychological and works. CBT, motivational interviewing and contingency-based approaches help people reduce and stop, and managing the withdrawal symptoms supports the early weeks. Addressing why someone uses (sleep, anxiety, social pressures) and building alternative coping and support improves outcomes.

For young people in particular, early help matters, both for the dependence and to reduce the longer-term mental health risks.

Cannabis use disorder in the African context

Cannabis is common and easily available in many parts of Kenya, and it is often wrongly believed to be harmless because it is natural. For young people, whose brains are still developing, heavy use carries real risks to mental health and motivation. Use is also illegal, which adds legal and social consequences, and stigma can stop people from seeking help. Treating cannabis dependence as a health matter, and reaching support early, protects both health and future.

Managing it day to day

Alongside professional help, these steps support change.

• Decide on a clear goal, whether cutting down or stopping, and remove easy access at home.
• Expect withdrawal in the first weeks, such as poor sleep, irritability, and low appetite, and know that it passes.
• Notice and plan for the triggers, such as certain friends, places, or stress, that lead to use.
• Find other ways to manage sleep, boredom, and stress, the reasons many people use.
• Lean on supportive people, and mark progress.

Helping someone

If someone you care about uses cannabis harmfully, your support matters.

• Talk with care and without blame, choosing a calm moment.
• Avoid shaming or threats, which usually deepen secrecy.
• Take the mental health risks seriously, especially for a young person, without exaggerating or panicking.
• Encourage professional help, and offer to help find it. Our find a therapist page can help.
• Look after yourself, and stay connected.