Cannabis problems - taking the first step

Realising you have a problem with cannabis is a very difficult first step to recovery. People often smoke marijuana to create a sense of wellbeing that can't always be achieved in ordinary life. Slowly, the ability to resolve life's difficulties disappears. It seems much easier to smoke problems away, than to do the hard work of sorting them out.

For some people, smoking dope becomes the main focus in their lives and they find they need more and more of it to get the same feeling of wellbeing. In order to maintain their habit they become dishonest, and this can lead to self-hatred. People's relationships with friends, family or whanau, teachers and employers fall apart. At this point they may start to feel desperate. This is often the point at which people start to reach out for help. This is when recovery begins.

Support and information

People who are dependent on cannabis need a lot of support to maintain their recovery. Some get their best support from others who have been through the same kind of experience. Other people find a professional who is supportive or their friends and family may offer good support. People who take cannabis can make more informed choices if they educate themselves about their condition and the types of treatment and support that are available. It's also useful to know about your rights.

Using services

A lot of people who are dependent on cannabis sooner or later go to see their GP or a counsellor or are referred to specialist services.

If you fear you might harm or kill yourself it is vital you seek help immediately.

Sometimes it is hard for people who are dependent on cannabis to seek help, either because they want to hide their habit, or because they feel well and don't agree they have a problem.

Acknowledging you have a problem and need help can be very scary.

Family or whanau views

Cannabis problems can tear families and whanau apart. Families and whanau may find their relative secretive, withdrawn and unmotivated. They often feel powerless to know what to do. Their feelings for their relative can swing from concern for their difficulties, to hostility towards their relative for disrupting their lives.

Support and information

Families and whanau often feel drained and stressed and need support to look after themselves as well as their relative with a cannabis problem. Their other family or whanau relationships can get neglected.

There are several ways families and whanau can get support. They can get in touch with other families and whanau who have had similar experiences. Some drug and alcohol services provide good support options for families and whanau. Families and whanau need information on the person's condition, their options for treatment and their rights.

Experiences with services

Ideally, families and whanau who are involved in caring for someone with a cannabis problem need to be able to communicate freely with professionals about their relative. They may also need some professional help to mend any damage that has occurred in family or whanau relationships because of their relative's dope smoking.

For family, whanau, friends or caregivers of people with a cannabis problem it can be difficult to know how to deal with your family or whanau member or friend's cannabis taking.

Some people have found the following things helpful.

• Learn about cannabis and cannabis problems.
• Remember that neither you nor anyone else can make someone cut down or stop, but you can encourage them and help them to make changes.
• Talk to the person about your concerns but make sure it is at a time when they are not under the influence of cannabis and you are both calm.
• Be clear about what behaviour you are prepared to accept or not accept from the person who is using cannabis. Have a plan for what you will do if they overstep the boundaries.
• Be consistent. Don't keep changing your mind about what you're saying.  Don't say one thing and do another.
• Listen and find out how your family or whanau member or friend feels about their cannabis use.
• Encourage the person to concentrate on the effects that cannabis is having on their life.
• Remember to encourage and praise the person if they do manage to cut down or stop their cannabis use.
• Worrying about a family or whanau member or friend with a cannabis problem can leave you drained of energy for yourself or anyone else. It is important you take care of yourself. Things you can do to look after yourself include:
• Keep in touch with your friends. Discuss your worries with someone you can trust.
  
• Seek support and advice from professionals such as your doctor, a counsellor or culturally appropriate support groups which deal with cannabis abuse problems.Look after your own health. Make sure you are getting enough sleep and a healthy balanced diet.
• Learn some relaxation techniques.
• Make sure you treat yourself by doing something you really enjoy every now and then.

See also: What is cannabis, and what are its effects? 
Cannabis - what is your level of use? 
Cannabis - overcoming problem use

Support groups

See the support organisations (which include helplines) under Further information and support below.

Original material provided by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, 2002. Edited by everybody, June 2005.