Joan, you are lying to me, you, bitch!" I couldn't believe I heard this from a person we've had a short-term business relationships.

Pot-smoking has been linked to psychosis, delusion, depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, impaired judgment, difficulty thinking, hallucinations, suspicious thoughts and paranoia.

Pot, also called marijuana, weed, ganja and skunk is the most popular and readily available illegal drug in the Western world. Perhaps the only illegal drug with more street names than heroin, marijuana is also widely misunderstood and misrepresented as being harmless and acceptable.

You may talk a person, even live with a person for year or so and never know he or she is a drug-addict. It might be your friend, your husband and the worse - your child. You can detach from the troubling friend or business associate. You can divorce your husband. But if you are dealing with family members, you need to know how to handle the situation. First of all, you need to understand that drug-addicts do not have a same psychological reasons as normal people do. Therefore they can't be treated as normal people but patients. Understanding the fact that the brain of Marijuana smokers went through the series of modifications and not reversible changes may help you to not get all wrapped up emotionally by an addicts destructive behaviors.


Drugs are chemicals that tap into the brain's communication system and disrupt the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information. There are at least two ways that drugs are able to do this: (1) by imitating the brain's natural chemical messengers, and/or (2) by over stimulating the "reward circuit" of the brain.

Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, have a similar structure to chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters, which are naturally produced by the brain. Because of this similarity, these drugs are able to "fool" the brain's receptors and activate nerve cells to send abnormal messages.

Other drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, can cause the nerve cells to release abnormally large amounts of natural neurotransmitters, or prevent the normal recycling of these brain chemicals, which is needed to shut off the signal between neurons. This disruption produces a greatly amplified message that ultimately disrupts normal communication patterns.

Nearly all drugs, directly or indirectly, target the brain's reward system by flooding the circuit with dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter present in regions of the brain that control movement, emotion, motivation, and feelings of pleasure. The over-stimulation of this system, which normally responds to natural behaviors that are linked to survival (eating, spending time with loved ones, etc.), produces euphoric effects in response to the drugs. This reaction sets in motion a pattern that "teaches" people to repeat the behavior of abusing drugs.

As a person continues to abuse drugs, the brain adapts to the overwhelming surges in dopamine by producing less dopamine or by reducing the number of dopamine receptors in the reward circuit. As a result, dopamine's impact on the reward circuit is lessened, reducing the abuser's ability to enjoy the drugs and the things that previously brought pleasure. This decrease compels those addicted to drugs to keep abusing drugs in order to attempt to bring their dopamine function back to normal. And, they may now require larger amounts of the drug than they first did to achieve the dopamine high-an effect known as tolerance.

Long-term abuse causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that influences the reward circuit and the ability to learn. When the optimal concentration of glutamate is altered by drug abuse, the brain attempts to compensate, which can impair cognitive function. Drugs of abuse facilitate non-conscious (conditioned) learning, which leads the user to experience uncontrollable cravings when they see a place or person they associate with the drug experience, even when the drug itself is not available. Brain imaging studies of drug-addicted individuals show changes in areas of the brain that are critical to judgment, decisionmaking, learning and memory, and behavior control. Together, these changes can drive an abuser to seek out and take drugs compulsively despite adverse consequences-in other words, to become addicted to drugs.

Marijuana addiction is a phenomenon experienced by more than 150,000 individuals each year who enter treatment for their proclaimed addiction to marijuana. Marijuana addiction is characterized as compulsive, often uncontrollable marijuana craving, seeking, and use, even when the individual knows that marijuana use is not in his best interest. Marijuana addiction could be defined as chronically making the firm decision not to use marijuana followed shortly by a relapse due to experiencing overwhelming compulsive urges to use marijuana despite the firm decision not to. This contradiction is characteristic of an addiction problem.

Even Marijuana is not prohibited in many states don't be mistaken. Marijuana is a drug and considered as an illegal drug in most of the countries except Venezuela, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Indonesia, India, Netherlands, Pakistan, Peru and Russia. At least, there you will not be put in jail for smoking this drug. In California you can smoke Marijuana, thank you federals. In Saudi Arabia, Somalia Marijuana smokers are punished by a death sentence.


There are many signs of marijuana use to be aware of. We have listed numerous below to help in determining if someone you care for may be using marijuana.

• Dilated (large) pupils
• Cigarette rolling papers
• Seeds that have been cleaned from marijuana
• Smell on clothing, in room, or in car
• Bloodshot eyes
• Sleepy appearance
• Reduced motivation
• Pipes, bongs, homemade smoking devices (you may see sticky residue from burned marijuana)
• Anxiety
• Difficulty thinking
• Distorted sensory perceptions
• Dry mouth
• Euphoria (temporary feelings of elation, energy and limitless power)
• Feeling sluggish
• Grandiosity (acting in a pompous or boastful manner)
• Impaired judgment
• Impaired short-term memory
• Inappropriate laughter
• Increased heart rate
• Increased appetite, craving sweets
• Reduced coordination
• Temporary feelings of reduced anxiety or stress
• Sadness/depressed mood
• Sensation that time is passing slowly
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Discolored fingers
• Enlarged eye pupils
• Impaired short term memory
• Red, puffiness under the eyes
• Sleepiness
• Small seeds in the lining of pockets
• Strong odor of burnt leaves
• Use of incense

• Altered perception of reality (e.g., hallucinations, delusions and suspicious thoughts, paranoia).
• Continued marijuana use despite significant problems related to use (e.g., financial/legal problems or neglecting responsibilities).
• Craving marijuana.
• Finding it increasingly difficult to resist using marijuana when it is available.
• Spending a great deal of time in activities necessary to obtain marijuana.
• Cutting back or stopping important social, occupational or recreational activities because of marijuana use.
• Minimizing marijuana consumption including frequency and intensity.
• Unsuccessful attempts to control or cut down use.

• lung damage
• chronic bronchitis
• lowering of testosterone
• acute anxiety attacks
• chronic reduction of attention span
• possible birth defects, still births and infant deaths

Marijuana is usually smoked using cigarette rolling papers, a purchased water bong, or a makeshift bong that can be made from a variety of items. Hash can be smoked or eaten, and is sometimes cooked into baked goods. Generally it can be difficult to recognize marijuana use if you don't see the individual after smoking when they are still experiencing the effects of the drug. The potency of marijuana has increased exponentially in the past 20 years. 

There are organization to help you and your family members to help you break a Marijuana addition. Here is the one:

Marijuana Anonymous World services

Source: www.spiritualriver.com




We cannot control a drug addict or an alcoholic, but we can control our own behavior-including how we behave in relationship to a sick and suffering (and possibly manipulative) addict or alcoholic. Therefore, the best thing that you can do if you want to help someone in your life is to get yourself to an Al-Anon meeting. The people there can listen to your situation and give you the best specific advice on how to go about handling things. Educating yourself on how to set limits and boundaries is one of the most important things that you can do in this case.


One example of setting a boundary is telling a close friend that you prefer they not be around you if they are drunk or high. Notice that it is specific, and you have to sit down and communicate this type of request explicitly with someone. Setting a boundary like this is difficult because there is this tendency to hurt other's feelings. But that is part of what is keeping you sick-caring more about this person's feelings than your own personal well being. Setting boundaries is about putting your own personal well being first, and letting that be a guiding example of how to live. You know you are setting effective boundaries when you are taking back control of your own life and starting to regain your own sanity-instead of being all wrapped up in the problems of a struggling drug addict or alcoholic.


Any time that you casually approach this struggling addict or talk with them about the possibility of getting help is an example of an informal intervention. This might not sound like a very useful option compared to a more formal and organized intervention, but nonetheless it can be very effective. In my own personal experience, I finally decided to ask for help and thus changed my whole life after a simple phone conversation with a family member. The reason for this was because timing was everything. Previously, a formal intervention had failed, because I simply had not been ready to make a change at that time. But a key conversation happened at just the right moment, and it set in motion a series of life changing events for me.

Does this mean that you should pester someone incessantly until they get clean and sober? Probably not. But you should never give up hope on them, and you should have a consistent message for them without badgering them. Make sure they know that help is available for them if and when they want it.


This is what most people think of when they hear the term "intervention," where the friends and family of an addict all get together and confront that person together and urge them to get help. This is not necessarily the best choice though. There is a lot of evidence that an addict or alcoholic will only change when they personally come to their own point of surrender. A formal intervention does not bring a person to this point. Many would argue that the intervention would only work if the person is already at this critical point of surrender. Nevertheless, some formal interventions have been successful at persuading people to get clean and sober. Here is a full guide to planning and organizing a formal intervention.

A friend or loved one who is caught up in the cycle of addiction has to be approached in the right way. We all know how worthless it is for advice to fall on deaf ears, and this is bound to be the case with certain approaches in trying to help struggling addicts. But there are specific, proactive actions that you can take regardless of where your loved one is at in their addiction. There are no hard and fast rules here because different personality types will call for different approaches. One valuable guideline might be to always use a caring approach instead of a threatening one. Consider the different levels of denial and willingness to change that an addict or alcoholic might have:

* Complete Denial - If a person is in complete denial of their addiction, then there is little that you can do other than focus on your own behaviors and actions. The best that you can do in this case might be to communicate your boundaries with the person and let it be known that you won't be bailing them out of any jams. A formal intervention is unlikely to produce an immediate change, although it might be a step in letting the person know how much everyone cares for them. In some cases, a formal intervention might be an unhealthy move on your part…better to take care of yourself at this point and simply establish healthy boundaries with the person.

* They are Admitting to their Problem, but are Reluctant to take action - This is the difference between admitting and accepting that they have an addiction. This person is technically still in denial, but they just aren't willing to change yet. The fear of change, the fear of life without chemicals is too great for them, even though they know that they have a real problem. They are caught between a rock and a hard place.

I was in this state for several years, but was scared to get help and make a change. I was terrified of the thought of facing life without drugs and alcohol. What finally got me to ask for help and change my life was a simple, informal conversation with a family member over the phone. This is what finally "did the trick," whereas a full scale formal intervention in the past had failed. But also realize that the formal intervention might have been a critical part of the journey.

* They Admit to their Problem and Say they are Willing to Change, but only on Their Own Terms - This is still denial, but in its sneakiest form. The person has agreed to address their addiction and says that they are willing to change. They might even have a genuine willingness to change. But the problem is that they are only going to change on their own terms.

Fear is holding them back. The person is so close to making a life changing decision. Tread with caution and don't push them over the edge. Be helpful and supportive. Personality type will help dictate if this is the best time for a formal intervention or not. If they are secluded, isolated, shy, or have anxiety or depression, then a formal intervention with lots of people might be a bad idea at this point.

* They Accept their Addiction and Will do Almost Anything You Suggest - This is complete surrender, and represents someone who is ready to change. Get them to a treatment center or a twelve step meeting.

One of the key principles that will help you in dealing with a struggling alcoholic or drug addict is detachment. The idea behind it is to separate yourself emotionally from the damaging effects of your relationship with the addict or alcoholic. It is not the same as complete disassociation or abandoning the relationship. The idea is to care for them while detaching emotionally. You can care for them but not feel like you are responsible for them. In other words, you are specifically trying to not get all wrapped up emotionally by an addicts destructive behaviors.

This is difficult.

Practicing detachment should make it easier over time. Here are some things that you can do in order to practice detachment with the struggling addict in your life:

-Don't do things that they should be doing themselves.

-Don't bend over backwards to rescue them or save them from natural consequences.

-Don't cover up for their mistakes or embarrassing situations.

-Don't rescue them from crisis or financial situations.

-Don't try to fix them.

-Let go of any guilt you may have about them

Detachment is not about denying your emotions. If someone close to you dies, for example, you will probably feel sad. You can't choose this feeling. It simply is. But we do have the power to affect the intensity of this feeling, by focusing on the positive aspects of the situation. We can also change our thinking in an attempt to eradicate irrational beliefs that might be contributing to our emotional turmoil.

The goal is not to go without emotions, the goal is to achieve some level of emotional stability. We are detaching from the negative, irrational thoughts that stir up our emotions-like the guilt we might have if we think someone's addiction is our fault.