Concerned about DC using cannabis daily for anxiety and stress.

[Purplewoman]

Really concerned about DC1 in their early twenties, who started smoking the odd cannabis joint, but is now smoking ever day usually in the evenings, to “help with anxiety/stress”.

DC has ASD and find too much social interaction overwhelming. To their credit they are working, but often return home burnt out by end of day. They don’t smoke in day only at night after work.

DC says they only smoke half a joint, but they absolutely reek when come in from smoking it. The smell lingers in whatever room they past through, on their clothes and their bedroom permanently smells of it. They don’t smoke in our house, but in the garden. They do smoke inside at a friend’s house when go there.

Have tried talking to my DC about my concerns that they are becoming addicted to it, and impact on their health. They say I am overreacting as it’s “only half a joint”.

DC barely engages with us when home, as either spends time in their room talking to friends on their phone or goes out to see friends/pub/smoking/clubbing. Totally get that it’s due to their age, as who wants to hang out with their family when have more fun with friends?! Although I do admit that part of me feels sad that they don’t want to engage at all unless it is on their terms. I miss going for walks, or just watching a film together.

Am worried about impact on their physical and mental health from smoking regularly.

Also concerned about whether rest of household will be affected at all by 3rd hand smoke, even though not sitting in same place whilst DC smokes. Is this a thing? Would breathing in the smell impacts on us? Will it impacts on our pets, as have one that likes to go in their room?

DC works in a job whereby has responsibilities for others. Would it still be in their system the following day and impact on their ability to make sound judgements?

Am I right in thinking if DC moves out and rents, they could lose tenancy if Landlord/lady were to object to house smelling of cannibas?

Would welcome advice on how to support my DC, and on navigating this as really worried about long term impact on DC if they continue to use on a daily basis rather than the odd occasion socially.

It can be very beneficial for autistic people - if your son has had previous treatment for anxiety that has not worked you could look into a medical prescription which is controlled by a doctor - monitored and no danger of being give something dodgy. It involved dry vaping rather than smoking. This has worked wonders for my DC when nothing else has. It is also legal of course, whereas buying off the street isn’t.
If he’s managing to work he will be finding it really hard so well done to him. The responsibility for other people aspect of his job would worry me the most so an alternative approach might be better if it really helps him.

I totally agree with this. Good advice.

I have suggested to my DC that they consult their GP regarding support around anxiety.

i didn’t think you could get medical prescription for this, unless fitted certain categories based on what I’ve read online regarding NHS prescriptions?

To be honest I would rather my DC wasn’t taking any form of this, as feel their anxiety/stress has increased since started using it. However aware that challenges of job may have increase, and that things may be harder now for them to manage.

Would be interested to know if anyone else has a different viewpoint on how they’ve dealt with situation in their family?

Yes, nhs prescriptions are limited to a small number of specific conditions but it is prescribed by private medical cannabis clinics. If your DC has tried 2 nhs treatments that either haven't worked well or had side effects that they couldn't manage they may well be eligible.
I know youre not keen on your DC using cannabis at all but at least if they went the medical route they would be monitored and know they were getting cannabis grown under clean, safe conditions.