help for lad & Paranoia through cannabis use

redwineguzzler

Been "googling",to find out as much info as possible, but although I can find out WHAT the stuff can do to you - I cant actually find out if these feelings he is having will ever go away - I know Im asking the impossible and everyone is different, I suppose I just want to tell him everything will be fine, and yes he will stop feeling anxious and paranoid...............

I really appreciate all the replies and advice, there really are some good people out there - thanks.

I will let you know how things have gone tomorrow night, just the start eh guys!......................

Bananabelly

We had similar problems with my brother, and it was hell. It wasn't just pot though , it was pretty much everything else except heroin. Same thing though, one of the best things that happened was him leaving hime, although it was awful at the time. It is now nearly 10 years ago since it all blew up and he still sees professionals (psychiatrist and drug and alcohol counsellor) and takes some medication - benzodiazepines (like temazepam) help with some of the side effects of not doing drugs.

People often take drugs, especially in the long term, to avoid dealing with feelings. The feelings of anger and helplessness especially are potentially things resurfacing that led to him taking drugs in the first place, and he may need some counselling to help him deal with his emotions, as he is not self-medicating anymore.

The good news is those things do get better, and most of the feelings settle down. My brother doesn't have any paranoia, and has learnt far better ways of dealing with emotions (like expressing them!). He had huge family support, and I think things like a regular Sunday meal every week at my parent's place made a big difference. He also has an excellent GP who supports him every step of the way. Your son doesn't need to move back in with you, but he needs lots of support, and it is a long road but there is hope.

Good luck, if you have any questions let me know.

melancholly

he may not be interpreting the GP's actions/comments in the same way as someone else might... i think if you can go along and support him at an appointment, it would make everything clear and it's the gateway to any sort of referral.... once you've done that, you can decide if another GP might have a different manner that would help the situation resolve better.

Oldernotwiser

Our foster son went through this and took more than a year to come out the other side. What helped him most was working, so I hope that the OP's son is doing this or, at the very least, trying to get a job.

Sitting round at home is the very worst thing someone can do, as well as the risk of falling back into earlier habits.

jago25_98

I've been through this kind of thing.
It seems so different to how I am I hardly remember how I got through it.
I think not exactly a religious thing, but some sort of hope came to me from I don't know where but it seemed like it was from that area (?). That is a big source of strength.

what things have cheered me up:
being with people, being outside, by the sea, connecting with people, cod liver oil and nice food, surfing, martial arts, bodybuilding, being older and the women that come with that (not being a spotty, bottom of the pile ignored powerless teenager), keeping away from media and TV, getting out, exercise

It can only come from inside on the one hand, but it does also need a seed from outside at some point, only to inspire

Savvy_Sue

You might find it useful to contact Families Anonymous, and through them you may be able to locate local drugs projects through which your son can access specialised support for dealing with the after effects.

redwineguzzler

Well, he came round for dinner tonite (he and his dad have gone to watch the game), dad not that great with dealing with feelings, issues etc, but he did bring with him a telephone number for a drugs and alcohol counselling servicelocal to us, but felt he wasn't ready to talk to them, he was fidgeting, nervous etc, and asked me to fone for him to find out what it was all about, they have a drop in service tomorrow, I have offered to drive him there if he wants me to, but at the moment he is non - commital, he has admitted tonite that he was smoking skunk, and using purple haze, which I have no idea what that is - will have to do my homework on that one, he swears he has not takien anything for 7 months now...............

I hate seeing him so troubled and am keeping my fingers crossed that he will ring me for alift tomorrow, just to get the ball rolling as such.

PerhapsI am expecting too much at the mo,but am ever hopeful.

XXX

Savvy_Sue

Even if he's not yet ready to get help, that doesn't stop you getting help. And I would strongly urge you to do so: you will then be in a better place to help him when he is ready, IYSWIM.

babymoo

http://www.spoda.org.uk/

This is specifically for Derbyshire but they might be able to help put you in touch with someone in your area. They were brilliant when my brother was taking drugs and really helped the whole family and helped us to help him aswell. I cant thank them enough.

On the other hand has your son had any counselling? My brother has had 12 months of counselling which got to the route cause of why he even started smoking cannabis. Again SPODA might be able to help you with this.

System

Purple haze is a strain of cannabis, sorry. I think its a string strain as well.