Intervention For Cannabis Users
Family and Workplace Interventions are assisted by the fact that cannabis is an illegal drug. Therefore anything less than abstinence is a problem. It is also very easy to test for when boundaries are set and agreed. Many will experiment with cannabis use in their teens, a small proportion will take its recreational use into adult life with no exceptional problems.
However, and this is a warning, we have worked with numerous mid-twenties, that appear to have done irretrievable damage to themselves, their prospects, education and families.
The moment problems start to appear around cannabis use and the individual does not respond to normal requests or initial problems with cessation of usage, then it may be time to plan an Intervention.
Early Intervention for cannabis use is essential. We have witnessed some very badly affected young people who are clearly suffering from Cannabis induced Schizophrenia , paranoia other serious mental states. Not all are going to recovery from this even if they do cease using mood and mind altering chemicals like cannabis.
Cannabis Rage
Powerful mental states like paranoia and schizophrenia result in very abnormal daily interactions with a normal world which is now very abnormal and frightening. High arousal states of anger and rage appear commonplace, with or without provocation. This presentation is also reduced by the cannabis. Many cannabis users relate the drug to relax and chill out. Therefore the Cannabis Rage is the perfect reason to justify and alibi further use. Cannabis creates the symtpoms for which it is then the solution. This is not a cycle that will respond to normal argument. Proper treatment is needed.
3 Months Minimum
28 days will not touch the sides for a young person who has to learn how to enjoy life without the support of the drug cannabis. Intervention planning needs to be very focused on the type of treatment environment. As most young people return to parents houses after rehab, then the family need put in considerable effort and energy, that they are prepared and able to hold boundaries, understand what is required and be very vigilant regarding cross addiction, enabling and co-dependency.
Danger Of Minimisation
The common use of cannabis is relatively harmless, as is alcohol. However the prisons and hospital wards are always full of alcohol induced problems. The UK psychiatric wards are filling up with the cannabis mis-users. A small percentage of people can not help but have major problems with some chemicals and behaviours. Minimising these are how families keep loved ones trapped in a rapid downward spiral.  Family denial is the first problem and problem cannabis user has to face. If loved ones did not minimise the evidential problems, did not alibi and enable, then more young people would interrupt the process earlier, not later.