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Finding Help for Compulsive Sexual Behaviours — and Why They Often Appear Alongside Heavy Cannabis Use
Emily Kurnell Emily Kurnell

Finding Help for Compulsive Sexual Behaviours — and Why They Often Appear Alongside Heavy Cannabis Use

From the perspective of an addiction specialist, one of the most common patterns I see is people struggling with a compulsive behaviour — something they turn to for comfort, escape, or emotional regulation — and feeling completely alone in it. Compulsive sexual behaviours are one example. Many people feel ashamed, confused, or afraid to talk about it, even though it’s far more common than most realize.

And very often, this behaviour shows up alongside chronic cannabis use. The two can reinforce each other in ways that make both harder to stop.

The good news is that recovery is absolutely possible, and the path forward is clearer than people think.

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Cannabis‑Induced Psychosis: What Loved Ones Need to Know
drugs, Addiction Emily Kurnell drugs, Addiction Emily Kurnell

Cannabis‑Induced Psychosis: What Loved Ones Need to Know

Cannabis is often marketed as harmless, natural, even therapeutic. But for a subset of people—especially those with genetic vulnerability, trauma histories, or heavy daily use—cannabis can trigger something far more serious: psychosis.

Cannabis‑induced psychosis (CIP) is real, destabilizing, and deeply frightening for both the person experiencing it and the people who love them. I see it in clinical practice far more often than most people realize.

This is a short, clear look at what CIP is, how it affects families, and what can be done to prevent and treat it.

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Today’s Cannabis: Why It’s More Dangerous, More Addictive, and More Damaging Than People Realize
Emily Kurnell Emily Kurnell

Today’s Cannabis: Why It’s More Dangerous, More Addictive, and More Damaging Than People Realize

As an addiction specialist, I meet many people who believe cannabis is harmless because “it’s natural,” “everyone uses it,” or “it’s legal now.” But the cannabis people are using today is not the same substance that existed 20 or 30 years ago. Modern cannabis is dramatically more potent, more addictive, and more capable of causing both short‑ and long‑term harm to the brain.

The science is clear: today’s high‑THC cannabis carries real risks—especially for young people, daily users, and anyone using it to cope with stress, anxiety, trauma, or emotional pain.

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Why Cannabis Is Not a Harm‑Reduction Medication for AUD or SUDA
Emily Kurnell Emily Kurnell

Why Cannabis Is Not a Harm‑Reduction Medication for AUD or SUDA

In recent years, cannabis has been promoted in some circles as a “safer alternative” to alcohol or other drugs. The idea sounds appealing: replace a harmful substance with something perceived as more natural or less dangerous. But from the standpoint of an addiction specialist, this approach is not only misleading—it can derail recovery and prolong suffering.

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The Grip of Today’s Cannabis: Understanding Addiction and the Path to Freedom
Emily Kurnell Emily Kurnell

The Grip of Today’s Cannabis: Understanding Addiction and the Path to Freedom

By: An Addiction Specialist

Cannabis has changed dramatically over the past decade. What was once a mild, low‑potency plant has evolved into a highly engineered substance with THC concentrations far beyond what previous generations ever encountered. As potency has risen, so have the rates of dependence, withdrawal, and cannabis‑induced mental health crises.

In my practice, I see more people than ever struggling with cannabis addiction—often shocked that something they believed was “safe” has taken such a powerful hold on their lives.

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