To ask if there is any help out there for marijuana addiction?

[Itwascool]

I'm a forty year old mum of four, well educated and I did have a good job until I left after being bullied. I have always liked a smoke but now have to face the fact that I am addicted and it is out of control. Is there anyone else out there with the same problem? Seems to me like it's not admitted to. There's help for alcohol, tobacco and hard drugs etc and nothing for cannabis. I don't really want to go to my GP. Please help!

I used to smoke quite a bit and recognise now that I was addicted. I had to do the usual stuff of dealing with addiction such as distancing myself from others that smoked it. I quit weed when I quit smoking, it wasn't easy but it's been over 3 years now and it's good having a clear head.

I didn't go myself, but narcotics anonymous might be the place to go. They'll have experience of dealing with all kinds of drug addictions including weed. Good luck!

Marijuana Anonymous UK

There is actually a lot of help out there for cannabis addiction.

If you were willing to go through your GP, you'd know that. However I dont' think you need to go through them with the above help group.

Your local drug service should be able to provide support for canbabis use just the same as for any other drug - I know ours does and has quite a few canbabis users 'on the books'. Have you contacted them?

Yes your local community drugs team will have supported cannabis interventions.

Do you know why you smoke it? Ie is it just for fun, or to alleviate stress, or pain, or similar? I used to smoke often (although not a great amount) as a means of coping with MH issues (on the 'off the record' advice of my old gp, unbelievably) so since I've stopped (i don't think it's really compatible with having kids, for me) I've found I've had to find other means of coping. So far it's going ok - I've started counseling for one, & Dr also suggested SSRIs as an option... Do you think that approach might help?? If it's the former you might just have to find alternative sources of fun...! :)

I wasn't your typical 'stoner' either - also well educated, fairly 'conventional' outwardly, really industrious and good at my job so noone knew (close ones aside).... Just needed it to take the 'edge' of life! Reality is pretty intense sometimes! :)

Recently been helping a friend through several addiction problems, including marijuana. Have you tried www.addictionhelper.com? It was immensly useful, and offers masses of local help you can seek.

Well done (in a non patronising way) for recognising you need help and doing something about it. Good luck OP

Thanks so much for your replies so far. I smoke not to think. I'm very happy I'm not a good drinker as I think that may have become my addiction. I've had a hellish 5 years with lots of stuff that was very stressful but I need to move on now. I love being stoned, but I can't live like this forever. I'm on antidepressants already but am scared if I tell GP what the consequences would be. Xx

Ok so smoking is a coping mechanism for dealing with stress/issues? You say don't want to go to your gp with your drug problem but in that case you can totally go to your gp and tell them the anti D's aren't working! Maybe they can change the prescription or dosage? Is your stress/depression related to anything counseling might be able to help with, d'you think? Ie what is it your trying not to think about?? Blocking off is rarely a gd thing you know... I'm sure you Do know this; I don't mean to patronise or lecture - It's just I could have written your post myself a couple of years ago and I want to help! The "AA" style of group might work for you also if you need to talk to others in same situation but I know I couldn't have done that....

What exactly concerns you about telling your GP?

Also, just to say - I loved being stoned too... It felt like my safe, happy bubble! I admit - I miss it, but couldn't go back as I really don't think I could parent properly as I was. Also, it's just not sustainable long term, like you say... And it's illegal! Whether or not you agree with the finer details of that aspect you can't be worrying on top of everything else about a possible criminal record as well.... Anyway obviously you know all this hence your post! :)

Hello, ty ty, none of you are in any way being patronising just helpful! What do I want to block? Loads Tbh. Childhood abuse, workplace bullying, loss of career, relationship and financial issues, mum dying in October. Loads of shit! I've realised I can't live like this. Counselling was tried, didn't work. I'm scared that it will be in my notes and accessible to future employers if I tell my GP? Maybe not I don't know.

Oh cool I feel really bad for you.... Sounds like you've had a bit of a crap time... I honestly have no idea whether employers can access your medical records but instinctively want to say that must be crap - if it's the case there is something massively wrong! Have you googled it?? OK so counselling didn't work, do you know why? And why the anti D's don't work? I really think you maybe should speak to your gp if the above is bull - you can't be beyond help!! Although frankly that is definitely one of the problems with addiction don't you think - you have to really want to give up, which is soooooo not easy..... Without wanting to be accusatory, you have to want the alternative solutions to work, & to be preferable - cos tbf it's way easier (& more pleasant!) to have spliff..... Take that option away and the other things have to work! Again, just saying how it is/was for me...... Do you have good support from partner/friends?

www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/access-to-someone-elses-medical-or-health-records.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=160

you sound a lot like me! are there any sports/exercise that you enjoy? i'm going to start swimming again (to see how messed up my lungs are) and to tire myself out. i'm also staying away from home more to avoid..and have changed my start time to 8pm, not the gladly awaited 6pm...and knocking out the tobacco (pipes and bongs) to try and manage that part of the addiction... pernicious and expensive drug huh? ho hum.