Cameron’s story: Finding focus, calm, and better rest with medical cannabis for ADHD

Would you mind telling us a little bit more about your ADHD? When did you get diagnosed?

I had to go privately to get diagnosed for ADHD because I felt like waiting for the NHS, you might as well not wait. So I felt like I had to pay that little bit more to get that confirmation because the thought of waiting years for a proper diagnosis didn’t sit well with me. 

I did that, which I paid £500 for, and ever since it's just been up and up. I've been able to get the help I actually need. And since coming to Releaf, I finally started to feel like I was being properly listened to and actually understood. 

How does your ADHD affect your day-to-day life? What kind of symptoms do you experience?

I feel quite restless. I'm not able to sit down and relax, like some of my friends do.  I guess the best way to put it is, I feel like I can't settle down, and that comes with some anxiety also. 

It's not even like I've got a destination in my mind. I've just stood up, rocking, walking backwards and forwards. Since starting treatment with Releaf, I can sit down and focus. I'm able to control myself. 

I used to have outbursts of anger, but now I'm so much more calm. It feels like it has helped me change for the better. I can take things slower now, consider my options and how I want to react to situations. 

Since getting your formal diagnosis, and before starting with Releaf, were you prescribed any conventional treatment options or supported in other ways?

Not so much. I am on the waiting list for my ADHD tablets, but I've literally heard nothing since. 

They told me to fill out this questionnaire form, which I did. And then three months later, they said, “You've not filled it out”, so they sent it to me again. So I went on it, it was already all filled out. My name and all my details were in there. That was a bit of an eye-opener for me. 

It made me feel like I was just a number, not a patient they actually cared about. 

Honestly, at that point, I just felt like I might as well not wait any more, and started to look for alternative treatment options.

How did you first hear about Releaf? 

I saw the Releaf Instagram Reels, the ones where you were doing street interviews and asking questions to members of the public. The one that first caught my attention was, "did you know it's legal?" And so many people had no idea. 

I think it’s really great you are getting the word out to the public, and so I started to do some research into all of the clinics and landed back on Releaf. It made me realise that I can live my life still and be considered just a normal person, and not looked at as some type of criminal.

How has your experience with your consultations been?

Yeah, literally, it couldn't have gone any better. Especially my first consultation, I were nervous as well, but the specialist didn't keep me in the unknown zone. He told me where I stood and what to expect. I just knew. I felt listened to and actually cared for.

Would you mind telling us how your Releaf prescription has helped you day-to-day? 

So although I am prescribed medical cannabis for ADHD, it really helps with my anxiety as well. I sometimes get an anxiety spike before I head out to go to work, and that can mean I either don’t make it to work or don't have a super productive day. 

It definitely helps get me to work, and once I am there, it helps me focus in and get everything done. It’s not like I am stoned or anything. I'm just normal. I'm fine, I'm happy, I'm talkative, I've still got my energy, I'm not lounged about. Honestly, I couldn't complain about nothing.

It just takes a big weight off my mind, having a legal prescription, you know what I mean? 

Before coming to Releaf, I was sourcing it from the streets, and it did make me feel like a criminal. At the back of your head, you're doing it for the right reasons, but it is a criminal offence at the end of the day. So it's literally just a mind easer. You can sit there, and have your vape on you, and people can't turn their chin away.

It's helped me control my mind more instead of just outbursts of anger, energy. I'm able to just say, look, I'm going to do this now, and control myself as well.

Literally, nothing but a positive impact, yeah. Like I say, my anxiety's dropped. I feel less restless. I get no headaches. I used to get occasionally quite bad headaches, but I can't remember the last headache I got, because of just how clean it all is and how settled I feel. 

It's also helped massively with my sleep. Before starting with Releaf, I would often find myself shaking my leg in my bed because I felt quite restless. But I can't remember the last time I've had to do that, and I am sleeping ten times better than before.

Have you experienced any side effects from your treatment?

No, literally nothing serious or that I didn't expect. I get a bit of a dry mouth, but that's common, isn't it? But yeah, literally nothing. No headaches or anything to complain about at all. 

Have you told your friends and family about your decision to pursue a medical cannabis prescription?  

I told them, and to be honest, it was a huge feeling of relief. I hate the feeling that I have ever lied to someone, so to be able to come out and say “I were prescribed this, for this reason, and it’s really helping”. It were like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I felt understood.

Have you ever had to use your medical cannabis card? 

No, not as of yet, but I do have it literally on me when I take it to work, just in case anything was to happen, so I'm always covered. I definitely feel reassured having it there in my wallet.

If someone was contemplating starting medical cannabis treatment, whether that's for ADHD or any other condition, would you give them any advice?

I'd say not to wait around and literally jump straight on it. If you're eligible, and it is something that you think may help with your symptoms, go for it. There's no point waiting around. I wish I had done it sooner. 

If you would like to learn more about medical cannabis treatment options for the conditions mentioned in this Patient Story, please see medical cannabis for ADHD.