Help A Loved One Overcome Addiction

Kabir’s addiction story

Kabir* is a 32-year-old doctoral graduate who recently took up a demanding IT job in California. He just married Vidya (30) who arrived from India two years ago. They had an arranged marriage. Vidya has a master’s degree in commerce but does not yet have a job. While Kabir was pursuing his graduate education, he became addicted to cannabis (marijuana).

Kabir started using marijuana as a recreational drug as it was legal in the state where he was studying, but now he cannot quit. He smokes many joints a day. Since he cannot smoke at work, Kabir takes frequent breaks which his boss disapproves of. At home, Vidya does not like the smell. Vidya says that Kabir tried quitting, but that made him irritable and argumentative. He had trouble sleeping. Vidya is worried about Kabir and approached us for guidance.

Question: Does Kabir have a cannabis addiction?

Dr. Sharma: Vidya, it is difficult to say with certainty whether Kabir is addicted to cannabis with the information that you have provided. Technically, the name for cannabis addiction is cannabis use disorder. About 10% of people who begin smoking cannabis become addicted to it and according to estimates, 30% of cannabis users meet the criteria for addiction. Some studies have pointed out that cannabis addiction is hereditary. However, more studies are needed.

Question: What are some of the dangers of cannabis addiction?

Dr. Sharma: First, as you mentioned, Kabir is developing tolerance and dependence.  He needs more and more cannabis to achieve the same effect.  This would affect the financial situation of your family as well as his work. Second, since cannabis is smoked it can cause lung problems. As you mentioned the smell is offensive and it can also affect others around the smoker through secondhand smoke. Third, long-term use of cannabis can affect memory and cause cognitive deficits . Finally, some studies have shown that cannabis use can increase the risk for mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder .

Question: What are the treatment options for Kabir?

Dr. Sharma: Kabir should not attempt going “cold turkey” or abruptly stopping the use of cannabis. He must try a gradual decrease which is likely to reduce the effects of withdrawal such as irritability, difficulty sleeping, lack of concentration, etc. which you have mentioned, and prevent relapse. Psychotherapy is often helpful in helping a person quit. He must explore getting in touch with a psychotherapist through his primary care provider or a mental health provider. Several methods of psychotherapy may be able to help Kabir. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) will help him identify his detrimental thinking and overcome addictive behavior. Another approach is motivational therapy in which the psychotherapist will enable him to acquire the energy to quit.

Question: How can I help Kabir?

Dr. Sharma: First, you must get informed about substance use disorders, particularly cannabis addiction. Second, you must love Kabir but not enable him, which is very difficult. You will have to set boundaries for him not to smoke at home just like he has boundaries of not smoking at work which will probably motivate him to quit.  Third, facilitating him to seek treatment is an important step that you must take. Fourth, you must get proactively involved in supporting him to quit.  Finally, you must take care of yourself. This can be done by both of you practicing stress management techniques such as relaxation, getting involved in creative activities, looking at other recreational activities, and being optimistic about life in general.

Question: Is there any traditional Indian system that can help with this situation?

Dr. Sharma :  Vedic philosophy and yoga are very rich systems.  Studies have been done on the use of yoga for getting rid of addictions. Practicing pranayama will boost his energy levels and prevent damage to the lungs while he tries to quit cannabis smoking. Practicing meditation ( dhyana ) or its Western version of mindfulness will reduce stress, bring clarity, increase willpower, and provide an alternative form of relaxation/recreation which will be indispensable for quitting cannabis. Studies have shown that the practice of meditation can increase the grey matter volume in the brain which is reduced by addictions and increase endogenous dopamine release which is responsible for the euphoric feeling of addiction .

Question: Can you refer me to some additional resources in this area?

Dr. Sharma: Here are some additional resources from where you can find more information:

• The do’s and don’ts for helping a loved one through addiction: https://www.beachsiderehab.com/blog/the-dos-and-donts-for-helping-a-loved-one-through-addiction/
• Ten ways to help someone with addiction: https://www.cirquelodge.com/addiction/help-loved-one/
• SAMHSA: Where to get treatment help? https://findtreatment.gov/
• Mayo Clinic: Intervention: Help a loved one overcome addiction: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/intervention/art-20047451
• Cannabis/marijuana use disorder: https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/marijuana-use-disorder
• Medical information: Cannabis use disorder: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538131/
• Stress management book with individual chapters on various aspects of managing stress: https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128112953/practical-stress-management
• *Name changed upon request.
• If you have questions, reach out to Dr. Sharma at editor@indiacurrents.com

The post Help A Loved One Overcome Addiction appeared first on India Currents .