Many people think that the most dangerous aspect of marijuana use is its potential as a “gateway” that eventually leads to the abuse and addiction of other types of drugs. However, further research has shown that marijuana alone, in the absence of other drugs, can lead to dependence on its own. Those who are addicted to marijuana can experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it, which can include decreased performance at school or work, broken relationships with others, and many other things that are typical of “harder” drug addiction cases. If you think that someone you know is leading (or is already) addicted to marijuana, you can help them by knowing how to identify the symptoms and how to help them break free.
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Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms of Marijuana Addiction
Step 1. Learn the facts about marijuana and its dependence
One of the biggest hurdles to helping someone break free from marijuana addiction is proving that marijuana use can create addiction, although this is a common belief. Research has shown that excessive marijuana use can stimulate certain systems in the body that produce changes in the brain that create addiction. According to research estimates, 9% of those who have used marijuana become addicts, and 25-50% of those who use marijuana daily become addicts.
- Adults who use marijuana frequently are at risk for a decline in IQ scores in the future, and research has found that the rate of decline in this IQ score is about 8 points.
- In addition, a longitudinal study conducted over 16 years found that cannabis users were four times more likely to become depressed than non-marijuana users.
- Although not uncommon, abuse of marijuana or drugs containing cannabinoids (for example, THC substances) can also occur. THC is just one of 100 other cannabinoids found in marijuana. Because cannabinoids have a major impact on the body (impacting everything from the regulation of pleasure and appetite responses to memory and concentration), people can experience serious health effects from substance abuse.
Step 2. Watch for withdrawal symptoms when someone stops using marijuana
Cannabis can cause withdrawal symptoms if active users stop using it. Withdrawal symptoms are the body's response to the absence of the substance in the body's system, and are usually a sign of the user's physical dependence on the substance. Some of the withdrawal symptoms are:
- irritable attitude,
- fast changing emotions,
- difficulty sleeping,
- lack of appetite,
- Strong desire to consume something,
- restlessness,
- Various forms of physical discomfort.
Step 3. Check for behavioral changes that suggest marijuana abuse
Other symptoms of this dependence can have an impact on a person's behavior while still using marijuana, and not just the person's reaction to not using it anymore. Was in this past year the person:
- Using more marijuana than you should do?
- Tried to stop using marijuana but failed?
- Have a strong desire to use marijuana?
- Using marijuana even though it causes or worsens symptoms of depression or anxiety?
- Feel the need to increase the dose of marijuana in order to enjoy the same effect / not decrease?
- Experiencing a bad influence on personal responsibilities, school, or work?
- Continuing to use marijuana even if it causes fights or arguments with family members or friends?
- No longer participating in activities that are essential to continuing to use marijuana?
- Using marijuana in dangerous situations, such as driving a car or operating machinery?
Part 2 of 2: Helping a Marijuana Addict to Get Out of His Addiction
Step 1. Know what can happen
Prepare yourself for various excuses and denials from your loved ones. He may have gotten used to using marijuana and no longer thought it was a problem. You can prepare for the conversation by writing down specific behaviors that have worried you or changes you have seen in this loved one.
Step 2. Just say it
You and other friends and family members should discuss your concerns with the person in a supportive, non-judgmental manner. Help the person to see the change in their quality of life for the worse due to marijuana addiction by reminding them of who they were before using marijuana.
Perhaps your loved one has given up on a goal he failed to achieve and so has used marijuana to overcome his sense of failure. Remind your loved one of that former goal, to help him or her see a bright future with a new purpose
Step 3. Support the person, not the addictive behavior
Forms of assistance such as buying daily necessities or giving money to addicts will only "help" the person stay in his addiction. Set healthy boundaries with your loved ones. Make sure the person knows that you support them when they are ready to deal with the problem, but that you will stop any help that would have "helped" them to continue their addictive behavior. Some examples of healthy boundaries are:
- let your loved ones know that you are always ready to support and comfort but that you do not allow marijuana use in your home,
- tell your loved one that you care and love him, but you will no longer give him money,
- let the person know that you will no longer make excuses for their behavior or attempt to save them from the potential consequences of continued marijuana use,
- inform your loved one that you love him or her, but you will not support him in any way if the problem is related to marijuana use.
Step 4. Avoid approach techniques that can exacerbate conflict
Trying to punish the person, lecture him or her, or manipulate him or her with guilt to stop using marijuana will only exacerbate the conflict. Your loved one may actually think that you are "fighting" him and not try to help at all. Other behaviors to avoid in helping marijuana addicts are:
- argue with addicts,
- trying to get rid of his stash of marijuana.
Step 5. Determine if the person is ready to be handled
Typically, those seeking help getting out of marijuana addiction (or marijuana abuse) are adults who have used marijuana for ten years or more and have tried to quit using it six or more times. The most important part of this process is that the person must really want to get rid of the addiction. You can't keep an eye on someone 24 hours a day, so of course you have to be able to believe in their desire and intention to quit marijuana addiction.
Step 6. Accompany her as she responds and tries to find a therapist
The person may seek private treatment or group therapy to escape marijuana abuse. This process involves trial and error again and again, until you find the way that works best for your loved one. Therapists commonly treat marijuana and drug abuse by the following methods:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Therapy that teaches strategies to identify and correct thoughts and behaviors in order to improve self-control, stop marijuana use, and be able to deal with problems that arise.
- Contingency management: This approach uses full control of the target's behavior and uses positive incentives that help modify behavior.
- Motivational enhancement therapy: This therapy is aimed at producing changes from within the addict, which motivates the addict to stop using marijuana.
- Visiting a therapist in this phase as a first aid effort also helps the person when facing the problem of wanting to use marijuana again.
- There is no treatment available from an addictions counselor (through a psychiatrist) in the form of prescription drugs to treat marijuana addiction. However, a doctor may prescribe medication for other related problems to help the person when he or she is feeling anxious, depressed, or having trouble sleeping in order to overcome the addiction.
Step 7. Find and observe existing addiction treatment facilities
Treatment facilities dedicated to helping with marijuana addiction provide a more consistent and stronger environment in which the person can overcome his or her addiction. The regular monitoring and supervision provided at this facility is suitable for those who desperately want to quit their addiction but sometimes falter in the face of addiction.
Cannabis addiction patients constitute 17% of all addiction treatment facility patients
Step 8. Study the options for group handling forms
Support groups for people with marijuana addiction (for example, “Marijuana Anonymous” in the US) seek to help people stay motivated, learn to have problem-solving skills, control thoughts and feelings, and learn to be balanced and self-aware.
Step 9. Watch for signs of relapse in ex-addicts
Even if you've done your best and worked out all the other systems that support the person, there's always the possibility of a relapse in an ex-addict. If you think the person may be having a relapse and using marijuana again, watch for the following signs:
- changes in appetite, sleep patterns, or weight,
- red and/or watery eyes,
- changes in appearance and personal hygiene,
- an unusual odor (sour smell) on the person's body, breath, or clothing,
- decreased performance at school or performance at work,
- requests for money with suspicious reasons or behavior stealing money from family or friends,
- inappropriate or suspicious behavior,
- changes in their friendships or activities,
- changes in motivation and energy,
- changes in their interaction style or attitude towards others,
- changes in mood, becoming frequently angry or showing excessive emotions.
Step 10. Be patient
If the person has a relapse, especially if this relapse makes him addicted again (rather than just a one-time oversight), you may feel like repeating the process all over again. The best thing you can do for someone in this situation is be patient. Do your best to show the same love and support as before. Remain refusing to support his addictive behavior and offer the same help for dealing with his addiction.
Step 11. Don't beat yourself up
You can give support, love, and encouragement to your loved ones, but remember that you cannot change this person. You cannot control his behavior or decisions. Allowing your loved one to take on his own responsibilities will help him move closer to the recovery process. Being assertive through this process can be painful, but never allow yourself to:
- trying to take over the person's responsibilities, or
- feel guilty about the person's choices or actions.
Step 12. Take care of yourself
Don't let the problems of your loved ones become your main problem, until you forget your own needs. Make sure that you have people to support you through this difficult process, and find people to talk to when you are going through a difficult time. Take care of yourself and give yourself time to rest and relieve stress.
