[hopeless85]

Are there any forums on here that talk about how to make a loved one realize that they have a marijuana addiciton? I have a family member who feels one can't be addicted to weed and he spends so much money every week on it. He had a very bad drinking problem due to social anxiety and is seeing a therapist. He is now on zoloft and effexor and seeing the therapist. He has not been drinking like he was. Every now and then I see a few cans but not cases and handles like it was in April-May and long before that. Now he just smokes weed like 4 times a day. He is attends college and will be graduating in December (early) and has been accepted into a masters program. So the weed isn't affecting that part of his life. He is working part time and was supposed to be saving for his move come January but I don't see how he is saving anything with what he spends on weed.

[Rebound]

So, is only your concern the money that is being spent? That's fair but if so, that is, if the pot use isn't affecting his daily life in any other way, I find it hard to be too concerned. A person is entitled to spend their money as they see fit. But the tread title mentions anxiety. Do you feel the anxiety is being caused by the weed and if he wasn't smoking it, could do without the meds also? That is a whole other ball of wax.

This may be a reasonable conclusion. It would be up to your friend to tell their therapist about it, however, in my opinion. You can't really make someone quit something they don't want to quit and have it last any amount of time. What may help is to discuss the situation and try to help the person see how they might benefit from giving quitting a try. Quitting pot isn't nearly as unpleasant as other drugs. I have stopped for long periods many times. The first day or 3 can be a little difficult, but in less than a week, I expect to show no obvious symptoms of withdrawal.

In my case, for example, I have been smoking pot off and on a very long time. I am well beyond college age, however, and I was mostly able to use a bit of feedback and my own self-analysis to reach the conclusion that I need to set pot aside for a while to be able to properly evaluate all the symptoms I have been having lately.

If I were your friend, I would be very concerned about being on 3 different drugs if you count zoloft, effexor, and pot (self-medicating?) If you combine that with environmental factors and the odd bit of alcohol, truly getting a grip on the real issues will be next to impossible but that should be his goal.

Best of luck to you and your friend.

[Thunder Bow]

Pot use accompany those other issues listed. They all interact with each other. Therapy is best and he must stick to that. Anxiety, depression, angers, and other issues are the foundation of drug use. Yes, anxiety is related to pot use, as well as it is related to drinking.

[Hellion]

Well if I had to take a guess I would imagine he was perhaps self medicating by drinking too much(I've been there)...and is instead using cannabis now to help the anxiety or whatever he was drinking for as well as to stay away from the drinking. Not sure its an addiction per say....especially if its not interfering with his ability to function or goals in life. Four times a day is really not that much, especially if its just like four 'bowls' four full fat joints every day might point to some over-use however.

And well unless you know exactly how much they are making, how much they are saving and how much they spend on cannabis...you can't know for sure they're buying cannabis rather than saving. Have you inquired if he is making sure to save or has plans to fund the move? And does he have a lot of other current expenses? Also though if he gets through college and the masters programs I imagine he'd be able to find some stable employment.

I myself find cannabis really does a lot for my anxiety and PTSD symptoms, like helps keep me more calm which makes me more functional than I am otherwise.

[*Laurie*]

I've had several friends or acquaintances over the years who had pot addictions. Yes, pot addicts are self-medicating. They tend to be extremely moody, generally bad-tempered except when they're high. Depressed and snappish when they're not high. And unreachable when they are high. In my experience, pot addiction is no different than alcohol addiction...the behaviors are so similar.

[Rebound]

Well, I'm on day 3 of no pot and the withdrawal is practically a non-event, and I might be considered a heavy smoker. Suggest to your friend it's not the end of the world to give it up for a while. If it makes symptoms worse, it should be almost immediately evident.

[Rebound]

Originally Posted by LauraBeth

I've had several friends or acquaintances over the years who had pot addictions. Yes, pot addicts are self-medicating. They tend to be extremely moody, generally bad-tempered except when they're high. Depressed and snappish when they're not high. And unreachable when they are high. In my experience, pot addiction is no different than alcohol addiction...the behaviors are so similar.

I could not disagree more. I do not wish to be disrespectful, but pot, while possibly the cause of a psychological dependence, is not physically addictive. I am the proof right now. I have smoked approximately 3/4-1oz of pot every month for the last several years, and as of now, I am on 3 days cold turkey with no pot. I'm not suffering any of the issues associated with sudden withdrawal of an addictive substance. Granted, I have a little loss of appetite but that is it. My depressed mood has actually lifted a bit.

I think your experience is of people with far more fundamental problems than their use of pot. I find it has great calming effect, especially when I am having a mixed bipolar episode. Perhaps what you observed was more the case of poor availability of mental health treatment being dealt with by self-medicating. That is tragic, but not in the way you imply with your post.

Pot use is, in fact, worlds apart from the use of alcohol. Have you ever heard of bar fights among stoners?

[hopeless85]

My son's therapist is very proweed. When I saw him he said about the same thing.... 75% of all emergency room issues are due to alcohol related incidents. He said you never hear of anyone pushing their spouse or girlfriend down the stairs due to weed.

After being upset over what my son spent on weed, I seen this weekend he resorted back to booze and I HATE that! I am SCARED to death about that. He put us through hell with his drinking and in less than 40 days he will be 21. No, this weekend he was not intoxicated but he drank a case from Friday to Sunday. His girlfriend is 21 and bought it. I feel she may have had some too but he drank the most. I cringe when I find that in his room. (Yes, I snoop).

[KnowViolence15]

I smoke Marijuana often during weekends, because the weekdays are most often hectic and there is a lot of pressure of work, family, sustainability aspects of future, things get difficult at times, and in such cases,a joint helps me forget all the hassle of life and simply be at ease. The world thinks drugs are bad, i think alcohol is bad (seeing the bigger picture). Likewise , on a smaller scale, being clichéd and stereotyped is getting provocative towards extremism. I'd rather avoid it as much I could and marijuana helps.
Not to forget , it enhances my creativity elements at times, gives me a thought process to ponder upon and alongside music, it makes me forget the past and future and just live the present.
I believe thats what we all seek, living in the present which is real and cherish it !?

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by Rebound

I could not disagree more. I do not wish to be disrespectful, but pot, while possibly the cause of a psychological dependence, is not physically addictive. I am the proof right now. I have smoked approximately 3/4-1oz of pot every month for the last several years, and as of now, I am on 3 days cold turkey with no pot. I'm not suffering any of the issues associated with sudden withdrawal of an addictive substance. Granted, I have a little loss of appetite but that is it. My depressed mood has actually lifted a bit.

I think your experience is of people with far more fundamental problems than their use of pot. I find it has great calming effect, especially when I am having a mixed bipolar episode. Perhaps what you observed was more the case of poor availability of mental health treatment being dealt with by self-medicating. That is tragic, but not in the way you imply with your post.

Pot use is, in fact, worlds apart from the use of alcohol. Have you ever heard of bar fights among stoners?

Pot can be psychologically addictive, which for some people, can be every bit as intense as physical addiction. No, physical withdrawal from pot is not bad for the user, just for everyone around him/her who has to put up with the rotten mood swings.

If you carefully read my post, I was not comparing pot to alcohol. I was comparing self-medicating with pot to self-medicating with alcohol.

The majority of people who self-medicate with pot have 'fundamental problems'.

I smoked pot on occasion when I was a teen and, very occasionally, at other times in my life. It made me anxious and did not help my depression.

In addition, putting smoke into my lungs is not healthy.

If smoking pot helps you, go for it. Smoke away.

[deeprest2]

Its almost impossible to convince a pothead that they have an addiction, most likely you will end up annoying them. Most potheads dont believe its addictive. But if they are doing fine in their life, whats the problem? Let them live it. Most people need some kind of a vice in this world.

I smoke a lot of weed, have for the last 10 years. Whenever I stop, I cant sleep properly and I crave it all day and will smoke more cigarettes to compensate but when I smoke weed I dont really smoke cigarettes. Altho I do mix tobacco in my joints so maybe thats why I crave a joint so bad. Im different to most potheads in that I do think its addictive, whether its the lifestyle or something chemical, but its one of the better addictions to have, it wont kill you as fast as others and stoners are pretty content ppl. Plus Ive lived in Amsterdam and have seen how its totally fine in an already functioning society and its really not that big of a deal at all.

[deeprest2]

Originally Posted by LauraBeth

I smoked pot on occasion when I was a teen and, very occasionally, at other times in my life. It made me anxious and did not help my depression.

Its true pot makes some people anxious, Im not sure why but it just doesnt work for everyone. I occasionally get an elevated heart rate from it, but very rarely. If that happened all the time I probably wouldnt smoke it either. But for most smokers its just a relaxing high that puts a lil smile on ur face no matter what youve just been through.

[Nammu]

Legal drugs
Alcohol
Antidepressants

Both can be more dangerous than pot.

Pot like every substance out there is a different experience for each person.

If he is over 18 the best thing you can do is hold him accountable for the consequences. Lectures are not going to help and may hurt by closing of lines of communication. If he lives at home, pay rent, help around the house, no smoking or drinking in the house( if he's under 21 this is illegal and can get you in trouble) f can't then needs to find someplace else to go.

Check out self help groups for you.