What if your Child or Loved One is already Using Marijuana?

Determine if he (or she) is addicted by checking these points.

Has he or she:

• Tried to quit or promised to quit and then returned to the use of weed?
• Abandoned goals, projects or activities?
• Been arrested once or more than once for DUI, DWI or drug possession?
• Been arrested for crimes he (or she) committed to get money for marijuana or other drugs?
• Been found selling drugs to support a habit of smoking marijuana?
• Suffered serious damage to family life?
• Suffered financial damage or ruin?
• Abandoned goals or educational plans?
• Suffered significant personality changes that could include anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, dishonesty or loss of motivation?
• Created suffering for those around him due to neglect, physical or mental abuse?
• Been seriously affected by marijuana use in other ways?
• Already been to rehab one or more times and relapsed every time?

This is only a very brief test. But if ANY of these signs are present and the person has continued to use weed and/or other drugs, it is very likely that he is addicted. This person may only be able to get sober with help from an effective drug rehabilitation program.

When a Person Needs Help

At some time or another, nearly every family will have to deal with the addiction of one of their members. It could be an uncle that seems half-drunk at every family celebration, someone who lost everything to prescription opiate addiction or a loved one who has been using heroin. It is important to know how to find this person a lasting solution.

The kinds of changes that must occur to recover from addiction include

• A person must find relief from the incessant, intense cravings that make sobriety difficult or lead to repeated relapses.
• He (or she) must overcome the depression that accompanies addiction.
• He must gain more self-control and recover his clear perception of his world.
• He must also find relief from the guilt that results from addiction.
• He must regain a sense of morals and personal responsibility.
• He must learn the life skills that make it possible to maintain a sober path toward success after he returns to his usual life.

When you look at this list, you are probably looking at the real-life changes and life skills you hope to see your loved one develop.

Substance abuse treatment for drug abuse must work holistically for it to have a lasting effect. In other words, it must treat the damaging effects of substance abuse on the body but then it must also help the addict learn how to build a new drug-free life, sometimes from the ground up, when addiction has destroyed everything.

A thorough detoxification followed by counseling and life skills training enables a person in a drug program to see things in a whole new light so they can live an enjoyable, productive life again. This is the way the Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program works.

You can locate a Narconon drug rehab program here: Narconon Centers

Addiction does not have to be a permanent curse. It can be overcome. But it is best when it can be prevented entirely.