[deniseb]

Hello,

I am the parent of a 23 year old cannabis user, I knew she had tried it a few years ago but about 2 months ago I found a bong in her room and when I talked to her about it she was upset and said that it is the only thing that helps with her mental health. She has experienced depression during her teenage years and sometimes hears intrusive voices.

I said that I would not make her stop (not that I could) as long as she spoke to her doctor about it and explored other options for managing her mental health so that this would stop eventually. Somehow I think what she actually heard was, it is fine – go ahead, I have no problem with you using cannabis because since then the house just stinks of it, she seems really relaxed about it and I have had to ask her not to smoke it in the garden in front of me and the rest of the family.

I have asked her if I can go with her to see her GP and she refuses and I have started to feel differently about her – I feel that she in manipulating me to get what she wants.

Her dealer’s girlfriend has been calling her making harassing calls and although she lied about not knowing who this person was to start with it did not stop until I took the phone and said that I was going to call the police.

I used to have a lovely honest relationship with her but I can feel this slipping away, she lies to me and I find this really hard.

We have a child with special needs who has some difficult behaviours and she loses her temper with him and then is angry and upset with me when I intervene to stop it escalating.

I worry her younger sister may think I am condoning her using drugs, when in reality I cannot stop her. I worry about the impact on her mental health and her studies. I worry about her smoking in the house and that my other children are breathing this in.

If I stop her and it is genuinely helping her manage her mental health could she then harm herself, if I don’t will it make her mental health worse.

I want to do the right thing but have absolutely no idea what that is – I don’t want to make it worse or push her away.

My husband has abdicated all responsibility, as far as he is concerned I can manage this one as clearly this is my area of expertise!

I am completely clueless and any advice from those who have some experience would be very welcome.

[lindag66]

My son is 17 and exactly the same. Says he is using it for his mental health etc. He doesn’t want to stop. It’s horrible. Affects all my family. I don’t have any answers. Only you aren’t alone x

[deniseb]

Thank you. You are the only person on the forum who has responded which suggests that anyone who has found the answer does not need the forum anymore – perhaps there is hope for us after all!

[bt1978]

Hi Linda

Do you know whether its resin or weed shes smoking, I kmownthere is evidence to suggest that really strong weed (skunk) can have a negative Impact on peoples mental health so its something to watch out for

Also I noticed you mentioned she suffers from intrusive voices – did you touch on that at all? There is world of difference between intrusive thoughts (very common, but horrible to experience) and hearing voices (could be something else which would need medical oversight)

I wonder if CBD may be an option as that doesn’t have the psychoactive substance, but works wonders for stress, relaxing and sleep etc

Hope you can post back, stay strong- you have alot on your plate there

[deniseb]

I think it is skunk, it is the buds and has a really strong smell. She hears voices, this pre-dates her cannabis use and she has had medical support but wont take the medication because she says it does not work and the cannabis makes her feel happy and helps with the voices.

I am going to buy her some CBD to see whether that will be something she might consider – any suggestions of which to buy?

[bt1978]

Hey denise thank you for replying.

Firstly what tough situation – I feel for you.

I’m certainly not a shrink, and have to abide by forum rules and all that – in my experience the skunk will probably end up making her other condition (whatever that may be) worse long term – I say this out of caution and care only.

Is there anyway you could consult a doctor and review the medicine? Sometimes meds take a long time to work (2-4 weeks) and can have some unpleasant side effects – the concern being that if its left untreated it could get worse.

In terms of CBD – as mentioned it’s legal as it doesn’t contain any THC, or levels that are so minor that its insignificant. However the THC is probably the active ingredient making her feel better….

If you wanted to try it make sure you research. There are lots of different ones and ranging from complete garbage to very good, it can be expensive. You have a choice of drops (holland and barratt do these) oils, juice which you can vape and even edibles such as sweets.

Again plenty if research and reviews – dont be tempted by cheap ones.

Also dont overlook yourself and make sure you have plenty of support otherwise it’s easy to burn out and make yourself unwell.

Could you speak to the Gp first and perhaps on your own to see if there is anything they can for for treatment like alternative meds?

I wish you the very best of luck whatever you do and stay strong

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