A quiet but very real dependence
"Cannabis isn't addictive." It is probably the most repeated — and the most false — claim in the whole field of addictions. According to the EDADES 2024 report by the Spanish Observatory on Drugs and Addictions (OEDA), 43.7% of the Spanish population aged 15 to 64 has used cannabis at some point in their life, 12.6% in the past year, and 2.5% report using it daily. These are the highest figures since 2005, and Spain ranks among the European countries with the highest share of daily users.
Cannabis dependence exists, it is formally recognised in the international professional manuals (DSM-5, ICD-11) and in many cases it takes a supported recovery process to leave it behind. What sets it apart from other substances is that the harm is quieter: no visible hangovers, no dramatic scenes, no clear rock bottom. Simply, little by little, everything starts to weigh more.
At Charlas Adictivas we walk alongside people who want to quit cannabis with a professional, human, judgement-free approach. In person in Madrid and online across all of Spain. The first conversation is free.
Myths worth taking apart
First things first — the cannabis myths that come up in almost every first conversation:
"Cannabis isn't addictive" — Yes, it is. Cannabis dependence is widely recognised and affects roughly 9% of people who try it, a figure that rises to 17% among those who start using in adolescence. The fact that it doesn't cause a severe physical withdrawal syndrome doesn't mean it can't create significant psychological and physiological dependence.
"It's natural, so it can't be bad" — The "natural = harmless" argument has no biological or professional basis whatsoever. What's more, the cannabis consumed in Spain today has significantly higher THC levels than 20 years ago.
"I only smoke to unwind at night" — Starting to need a substance to do something you used to do without it (sleep, relax, laugh) is already, by definition, the beginning of a functional dependence.
Signs that cannabis has become a problem
Physical signs
- Real difficulty sleeping without smoking
- Loss of appetite when you don't use
- General tiredness or apathy
- Breathing problems if you smoke regularly
- Red eyes and persistent dry mouth
Psychological signs
- Widespread loss of motivation (amotivational syndrome)
- Trouble concentrating, remembering things, staying with complex tasks
- Anxiety or paranoia, with or without using
- Emotional flattening
- Thinking about smoking frequently throughout the day
Behavioural and social signs
- Smoking alone or hiding it
- Organising your plans around when you'll be able to smoke
- Dropping hobbies you used to enjoy
- Declining performance at school or work
- Having tried to quit, only to go back within days
The numbers: cannabis in Spain (EDADES 2024)
- 43.7% of the population aged 15-64 has used cannabis at some point in their life (an all-time high in the series started in 1995)
- 12.6% used in the past 12 months
- 10.5% used in the past month
- 2.5% used daily in the past month
- Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in Spain
- Spain is among the European countries with the highest share of daily users
Source: Spanish Observatory on Drugs and Addictions (OEDA), EDADES 2024 Report, Ministry of Health.
Why cannabis is more complex than it looks
Cannabis doesn't produce an obvious, acute "hook" the way cocaine or alcohol do, and that's confusing. Its harm is slow and cumulative. Cannabinoids are stored in fatty tissue and released over weeks, which means withdrawal isn't dramatic — but it is drawn out: irritability, insomnia, anxiety and loss of appetite can last several weeks.
Chronic use especially affects motivation, working memory and emotional regulation. Someone who has smoked daily for years often no longer recognises themselves: they've stopped doing the things that mattered to them, grown more apathetic, gradually shrunk without realising it. The good news is that these effects are largely reversible once the use stops.
In people with a predisposition, cannabis can trigger or worsen anxiety, depression and even psychotic episodes, especially when use began in adolescence. That's why quitting isn't just a matter of "willpower": it is a mental health decision.
Who you'll be talking to: our community team
Ruy Arroyo Ozores
Community director · Trained in addiction support
Addiction support specialist with more than 20 years living with active addiction and more than 13 years in sustained recovery. Creator and host of the Charlas Adictivas podcast. Interviewed by the Community of Madrid and the Why Not Foundation.
Salva Rivero
Facilitator with lived recovery experience
Support companion with extensive professional experience, whose story is featured in episode #22 of the Charlas Adictivas podcast.
Rocío León
Member of the community team
Professional specialised in supporting participants through recovery.
Our approach
We work with an evidence-informed, integrative model built on four pillars, adapted to what makes cannabis different:
- One-to-one support to identify the role the cannabis was playing (managing anxiety, sleeping, avoiding emotions) and build real alternatives.
- Support groups with other people quitting cannabis. It helps break the feeling of "but everyone around me smokes".
- Support community with access to the podcast, live sessions with Ruy Arroyo and practical tools.
- Work with families, especially in cases where use began in adolescence.
Stages of the recovery process
1. Initial assessment (free)
A first session to get to know you, understand your history with cannabis and your goals. No judgement, no pressure.
2. Stopping use
With cannabis, stopping is psychologically hard even though it's physically manageable. The insomnia and irritability of the first 2-4 weeks are normal, and we're there with you through them.
3. Ongoing support
The real work: rebuilding your sleep, recovering motivation, relearning how to relax without smoking, handling anxiety differently, reconnecting with hobbies you'd lost.
4. Relapse prevention
Identifying your specific triggers (a Friday afternoon, boredom, an argument) and having responses ready.
5. Maintenance
Sustained support while life is rebuilt without the substance.
How long does the process take?
- Intensive phase: 3 to 6 months, with weekly sessions
- Consolidation: an additional 6 months
- Community: open-ended
The physical part is relatively short; the psychological and behavioural part is the real work.
The Charlas Adictivas podcast as a complementary resource
Participants get full access to the Charlas Adictivas podcast. Episodes especially relevant for working on cannabis:
- Episode with Fran — The testimony of someone who got up to 25 joints a day for years, losing his connection with reality. He shares his three-year recovery journey.
- Episode with Noah Díaz — A 22-year-old who started using cannabis at 13 in a vulnerable context. Essential listening for anyone who started in adolescence, and for parents.
- Episode #35 with Ruy Arroyo Ozores — Our director tells the story of his own journey with substances.
Available free on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Support for families
Many first contacts come from worried parents or partners. We offer specific guidance: how to talk about the problem without creating more distance and rejection, how to support without emotional blackmail, how to set boundaries.
How to get started
The first conversation is free and comes with no obligation. A member of our team will listen to your situation and explain clearly what we can offer you.