Friend with Drug Issues

[SpaceArcader]

My friend was introduced to cannabis not a while ago. I know that some say it is good or bad and I'm not against it in anyway, however my friend has mental issues. Now she's got a bit addicted to the stuff and I'm beginning to worry that she'll end up worse. My conclusion to help her stop is by confronting her and tell her but I feel that won't do anything. Much help appreciated fellow escapists.

 

[pred10122]

It's pretty hard to become "addicted" to cannabis. In fact if you look at it in the physical sense its actually impossible. If you truely think she is addicted its most likely a psychological addiction, which is like being addicted to the gambling, food, sex, pornography, computers, internet, work, or exercise. These types of addictions are much easier to break then physical addiction (ex. tobacco, cocaine, heroine, or even caffeine).

Unless your friend is blowing off rent or being really held down by it, its relatively harmless. Cannabis is really one of the least harmful drugs out there.

Although you did say she had mental issues, could you elaborate more on that? I don't mean to make it personal but mental issues do make it much more complicated.

 

[SpaceArcader]

She has an anxiety disorder, and she has flights of depression. From looking at what I said it may not sound like a big deal but her personality and attitude has seemed to change. I dunno if that's in general or because of the cannabis but I feel uncomfortable of this and it's getting to the point where I just want to leave her to her problems but then again I feel that if no one else helps her who will?

 

[KrubixCube]

Pot is a lot more of a cultural change than a physical one, this sounds harsh but it's better for her to be using that than turning to alcohol or any sort of other drugs that can be physically addictive. That said, it's not good regardless if she's using any sort of substance as a replacement for dealing with issues.

I think your best bet is if it's really bugging you, and more importantly, if it's affecting her ability to funtion is to confront her about it. Not in that "intervention" type way, just in a friendly "you've been a bit distant" kind of way. It's fair to be concerned and I understand that, but I think going in too serious will have the opposite effect.

 

[grizzlyAssuager]

In general, cannabis + mental problems is a risky combo. Your friend might be using it because it helps though, as a form of self-medication, kind of like KrubixCube already stated. If you are worried, it's probably becuse a combination of the troubles of your friend.
I personally think you really CAN have an impact by talking to her, and letting her know you are worried about this, and uncomfortable with her drug use. But yeah, just talk to her, like friends do. Hearing friends voice their concerns about things can seriously affect people. Do keep in mind that the decision to change the situation stays with her.

Also note that there is help available for depression and anxiety problems. It's not a permanent thing that one has to KEEP fighting. Ideally, she can look for other, more permanent or healthy solutions for this. Maybe it's good to point this out?

 

[SpaceArcader]

Pot is a lot more of a cultural change than a physical one, this sounds harsh but it's better for her to be using that than turning to alcohol or any sort of other drugs that can be physically addictive. That said, it's not good regardless if she's using any sort of substance as a replacement for dealing with issues.

I think your best bet is if it's really bugging you, and more importantly, if it's affecting her ability to funtion is to confront her about it. Not in that "intervention" type way, just in a friendly "you've been a bit distant" kind of way. It's fair to be concerned and I understand that, but I think going in too serious will have the opposite effect.

In general, cannabis + mental problems is a risky combo. Your friend might be using it because it helps though, as a form of self-medication, kind of like KrubixCube already stated. If you are worried, it's probably becuse a combination of the troubles of your friend.
I personally think you really CAN have an impact by talking to her, and letting her know you are worried about this, and uncomfortable with her drug use. But yeah, just talk to her, like friends do. Hearing friends voice their concerns about things can seriously affect people. Do keep in mind that the decision to change the situation stays with her.

Also note that there is help available for depression and anxiety problems. It's not a permanent thing that one has to KEEP fighting. Ideally, she can look for other, more permanent or healthy solutions for this. Maybe it's good to point this out?

I agree, she could have taken something much worse, but she's clever enough to steer away the hard stuff. As to how I should speak to her, I'll say something similar to what KrubixCube said and I'll ask if she could perhaps look at healthier solutions. I'll arrange to meet up this week and I'll post news. Thanks!

 

[grizzlyAssuager]

I'll arrange to meet up this week and I'll post news.

good luck!

 

[KrubixCube]

Yup, hope it goes well. Just don't be offended if she doesn't take kindly to it. No one likes being told what to do, just be patient.

 

[SiskoBlue]

Wow, it's amazing how soft the attitude to pot has become these days. A couple of things to note. Long-term use has been linked to anxiety issues, depression and memory problems. It's not rock solid evidence as few studies have tested heavy users before they became heavy users. Still, I've smoked pot, my friends have smoked pot and I can't speak highly of those that became heavy users. But are they losers because they smoke a lot of pot or do they smoke pot because they're losers. And before anyone kicks off, a loser is someone who does virutally nothing with their life but smoke pot day in day out. Never go on holiday, never study, and basically hold a minimum wage job. Maybe they're having a whale of a time but that's not how they describe it and it's not the life I'd want.

From personal experience you can feel great on most drugs but they all have a come down. For every up, there is a down, so when smoking pot I'd have a great laugh, amazing thoughts, and really expand my mind in some ways. 24 hours later I'm a level a little above brain dead. No motivation, no imagination, and just a bit flat. And that feeling lasts longer than the high, so wears the joy in that.

And despite what people want to believe cannabis can be an addictive substance. Any excessive use of almost any chemical will cause the body to adapt and develop a tolerance, and in the absence of the chemical they get withdrawal. The Cannabanoid receptor (the neurotransmitter receptor in the brain that the THC chemical bonds to causes the effects of cannabis) is the most prolific neurotransmitter receptor in the brain. In other words cannabis effects almost every aspect of the brain. As science barely understands a fraction of what the brain does, taking a drug which has such a large area of affect is probably not the wisest thing to do.

And as someone said above, the psychological addiction, the behavioural habit, will probably be stronger anyway.

Also most people take pot by smoking. So although people will jump up and down about the dangers of smoking cigarettes they seem to think sucking in 9 times the tar through a joint doesn't count. Except for a few specific chemicals used in commercial tobacco, smoking weed has just as many risks as regular smoking. Plus it's usually unfiltered and pot smokers hold their breath to really get the tar deep down in their lungs.

But what can you tell your friend? Probably not much at all. People do lots of stupid stuff all the time and funnily enough don't like having an extra conscience hanging around to tell them. You're better off taking a different approach and asking her to do stuff that means she can't be stoned to do it, I don't know what but if she has an alternative to sitting around getting stoned she might take it.

 

[SpaceArcader]

Wow, it's amazing how soft the attitude to pot has become these days. A couple of things to note. Long-term use has been linked to anxiety issues, depression and memory problems. It's not rock solid evidence as few studies have tested heavy users before they became heavy users. Still, I've smoked pot, my friends have smoked pot and I can't speak highly of those that became heavy users. But are they losers because they smoke a lot of pot or do they smoke pot because they're losers. And before anyone kicks off, a loser is someone who does virutally nothing with their life but smoke pot day in day out. Never go on holiday, never study, and basically hold a minimum wage job. Maybe they're having a whale of a time but that's not how they describe it and it's not the life I'd want.

From personal experience you can feel great on most drugs but they all have a come down. For every up, there is a down, so when smoking pot I'd have a great laugh, amazing thoughts, and really expand my mind in some ways. 24 hours later I'm a level a little above brain dead. No motivation, no imagination, and just a bit flat. And that feeling lasts longer than the high, so wears the joy in that.

And despite what people want to believe cannabis can be an addictive substance. Any excessive use of almost any chemical will cause the body to adapt and develop a tolerance, and in the absence of the chemical they get withdrawal. The Cannabanoid receptor (the neurotransmitter receptor in the brain that the THC chemical bonds to causes the effects of cannabis) is the most prolific neurotransmitter receptor in the brain. In other words cannabis effects almost every aspect of the brain. As science barely understands a fraction of what the brain does, taking a drug which has such a large area of affect is probably not the wisest thing to do.

And as someone said above, the psychological addiction, the behavioural habit, will probably be stronger anyway.

Also most people take pot by smoking. So although people will jump up and down about the dangers of smoking cigarettes they seem to think sucking in 9 times the tar through a joint doesn't count. Except for a few specific chemicals used in commercial tobacco, smoking weed has just as many risks as regular smoking. Plus it's usually unfiltered and pot smokers hold their breath to really get the tar deep down in their lungs.

But what can you tell your friend? Probably not much at all. People do lots of stupid stuff all the time and funnily enough don't like having an extra conscience hanging around to tell them. You're better off taking a different approach and asking her to do stuff that means she can't be stoned to do it, I don't know what but if she has an alternative to sitting around getting stoned she might take it.

Very extensive statement there SiskoBlue. In my experience, I only had a puff, not the whole spliff, I dont think I did it properly anyway, but nevertheless it made me feel upset, cause I had a guilty conscience and seen the effects of what smoking can do from my late grandparents. I still haven't spoken to her. We've drifted a bit, but I'm worried of what I should say when she suggests an evening of smoking weed.

Another thing to mention, she sent me a text on that we should meet up sometime and get "baked" as she says. "We'd have beautiful conversations". I replied that aren't they great anyway and she said no only "sound" conversations.

Where I'm from, sound means good. The thing that gets me is that she seemed a nice, intelligent albeit quite mad but she was a girl that was stuck into her books and music. Not to insult people here, but she appears more common now than the time I had met her previously.

 

[SiskoBlue]

Where I'm from, sound means good. The thing that gets me is that she seemed a nice, intelligent albeit quite mad but she was a girl that was stuck into her books and music. Not to insult people here, but she appears more common now than the time I had met her previously.

Now that's a common story. Good girl goes bad. Although not really bad. I think part of it is that's there's more pressure on girls to fit in and conform than boys. Boys are celebrated for their individuality. You think about your group of friends and you probably all play a slightly different role in the group. Girls do as well but there's more focus on popularity and fitting in (these are very generalised, broad statements though).

But we've all been there. What's the reward for doing the right thing? More study, more anxiety, fewer friends, or so it seems. We all go through phases where we'd rather opt out and just make life easier for ourselves. I think that's fine, we all have to do it, and it's important to explore your life like that. But the danger is how far down she wants to go. If she ends up smoking everyday then she's pretty stuffed. If it's once a week then she's still making a distinction between being on duty and off duty as it were.

To put it all another way, we all have our vices but most of us know when and where it's safe to indulge them. For some people they get carried away and the vice ends up defining them; alcoholic, gambler, stoner, junkie, whore, angry dude. Lots of research shows intervention helps but more research has shown that it's got a lot more to do with the person than the people around them. If she's going to become a stoner, then she's going to become a stoner. If she's not going to be one, then she won't. You might have some impact on that but chances are it's a row boat versus a steam paddle. So don't beat yourself up about it. It's not your job to "save" people and trying to get involved will probably back fire on you.

Good luck.

 

[Neo10101]

Well, addicted is a sorta loose term, with marijuana as long as shes not driving or blowing through all her money then all you have to worry about is the fact that if you smoke about 28 days out of a month each month you have a higher chance of having schizophrenia. However, if its upsetting you, you can always bring it up with her and see why she likes it so much and if she's willing to stop it because it bothers you. Honestly most pot smokers won't so you will either have to have a fairly tight bond or some hold on her, but if she doesn't quit you shouldn't have to worry about anything happening unless that 28 days thing.

 

[KrubixCube]

What Neo said.

 

[Shio]

Well, addicted is a sorta loose term, with marijuana as long as shes not driving or blowing through all her money then all you have to worry about is the fact that if you smoke about 28 days out of a month each month you have a higher chance of having schizophrenia. However, if its upsetting you, you can always bring it up with her and see why she likes it so much and if she's willing to stop it because it bothers you. Honestly most pot smokers won't so you will either have to have a fairly tight bond or some hold on her, but if she doesn't quit you shouldn't have to worry about anything happening unless that 28 days thing.

It's hard to know the facts when dealing with illicit drugs. Information on the subject could be argued to be largely influenced and controlled by the government, who, for various reasons, is leading a war on drugs (a terrible failure, though it may be).

From what can be reasonably gathered and studied, marijuana can heighten preexisting mental health conditions in moderate and even low amounts depending on the person, and cause such conditions to develop in the otherwise healthy in larger amounts. A large percentage of those with mental disorders in the prison population are noted to have taken, and overused in many cases, marijuana. Like anything, some handle it better than others.

Tricky, tricky, tricky.

 

[Kenami]

Wow, it's amazing how soft the attitude to pot has become these days. A couple of things to note. Long-term use has been linked to anxiety issues, depression and memory problems. It's not rock solid evidence as few studies have tested heavy users before they became heavy users. Still, I've smoked pot, my friends have smoked pot and I can't speak highly of those that became heavy users. But are they losers because they smoke a lot of pot or do they smoke pot because they're losers. And before anyone kicks off, a loser is someone who does virutally nothing with their life but smoke pot day in day out. Never go on holiday, never study, and basically hold a minimum wage job. Maybe they're having a whale of a time but that's not how they describe it and it's not the life I'd want.

From personal experience you can feel great on most drugs but they all have a come down. For every up, there is a down, so when smoking pot I'd have a great laugh, amazing thoughts, and really expand my mind in some ways. 24 hours later I'm a level a little above brain dead. No motivation, no imagination, and just a bit flat. And that feeling lasts longer than the high, so wears the joy in that.

And despite what people want to believe cannabis can be an addictive substance. Any excessive use of almost any chemical will cause the body to adapt and develop a tolerance, and in the absence of the chemical they get withdrawal. The Cannabanoid receptor (the neurotransmitter receptor in the brain that the THC chemical bonds to causes the effects of cannabis) is the most prolific neurotransmitter receptor in the brain. In other words cannabis effects almost every aspect of the brain. As science barely understands a fraction of what the brain does, taking a drug which has such a large area of affect is probably not the wisest thing to do.

And as someone said above, the psychological addiction, the behavioural habit, will probably be stronger anyway.

Also most people take pot by smoking. So although people will jump up and down about the dangers of smoking cigarettes they seem to think sucking in 9 times the tar through a joint doesn't count. Except for a few specific chemicals used in commercial tobacco, smoking weed has just as many risks as regular smoking. Plus it's usually unfiltered and pot smokers hold their breath to really get the tar deep down in their lungs.

But what can you tell your friend? Probably not much at all. People do lots of stupid stuff all the time and funnily enough don't like having an extra conscience hanging around to tell them. You're better off taking a different approach and asking her to do stuff that means she can't be stoned to do it, I don't know what but if she has an alternative to sitting around getting stoned she might take it.

You my friend are quite brilliant.

 

[SpaceArcader]

Where I'm from, sound means good. The thing that gets me is that she seemed a nice, intelligent albeit quite mad but she was a girl that was stuck into her books and music. Not to insult people here, but she appears more common now than the time I had met her previously.

Now that's a common story. Good girl goes bad. Although not really bad. I think part of it is that's there's more pressure on girls to fit in and conform than boys. Boys are celebrated for their individuality. You think about your group of friends and you probably all play a slightly different role in the group. Girls do as well but there's more focus on popularity and fitting in (these are very generalised, broad statements though).

But we've all been there. What's the reward for doing the right thing? More study, more anxiety, fewer friends, or so it seems. We all go through phases where we'd rather opt out and just make life easier for ourselves. I think that's fine, we all have to do it, and it's important to explore your life like that. But the danger is how far down she wants to go. If she ends up smoking everyday then she's pretty stuffed. If it's once a week then she's still making a distinction between being on duty and off duty as it were.

To put it all another way, we all have our vices but most of us know when and where it's safe to indulge them. For some people they get carried away and the vice ends up defining them; alcoholic, gambler, stoner, junkie, whore, angry dude. Lots of research shows intervention helps but more research has shown that it's got a lot more to do with the person than the people around them. If she's going to become a stoner, then she's going to become a stoner. If she's not going to be one, then she won't. You might have some impact on that but chances are it's a row boat versus a steam paddle. So don't beat yourself up about it. It's not your job to "save" people and trying to get involved will probably back fire on you.

Good luck.

I haven't spoken to her properly yet, however I've been told by her friend she's taking it even while at her sixth form college, so I can tell already she has the cravings for more. I feel like being really blunt with her about this and go on a rant, but like you and everyone it's not a good idea.

 

[SpaceArcader]

Well, addicted is a sorta loose term, with marijuana as long as shes not driving or blowing through all her money then all you have to worry about is the fact that if you smoke about 28 days out of a month each month you have a higher chance of having schizophrenia. However, if its upsetting you, you can always bring it up with her and see why she likes it so much and if she's willing to stop it because it bothers you. Honestly most pot smokers won't so you will either have to have a fairly tight bond or some hold on her, but if she doesn't quit you shouldn't have to worry about anything happening unless that 28 days thing.

It's hard to know the facts when dealing with illicit drugs. Information on the subject could be argued to be largely influenced and controlled by the government, who, for various reasons, is leading a war on drugs (a terrible failure, though it may be).

From what can be reasonably gathered and studied, marijuana can heighten preexisting mental health conditions in moderate and even low amounts depending on the person, and cause such conditions to develop in the otherwise healthy in larger amounts. A large percentage of those with mental disorders in the prison population are noted to have taken, and overused in many cases, marijuana. Like anything, some handle it better than others.

Tricky, tricky, tricky.

Still havent heard from her but I've heard that shes smoking everyday for a month now. So its starting to get more tricky :/