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Cannabis dependance

  • 11-03-2015 11:30am
    #1
    Saipanne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,882 ✭✭✭


    Hi, my friend is looking for Dublin based (Northside or CC) resources to help him stop smoking cannabis, which he cannot seem to do, on his own.

    Please post any links that may be of use.

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    MrWalsh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,664 ✭✭✭MrWalsh


    His own GP would be the first port of call I think.


  • #3
    Saipanne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,882 ✭✭✭Saipanne


    MrWalsh wrote: »
    His own GP would be the first port of call I think.

    Yeah, he's seen a doctor and was given the number of a clinic, so hopefully that will work out. I'm just trying to see what options there are out there, in case he doesn't take to this first option. Get him the most support possible.


  • #4
    MrWalsh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,664 ✭✭✭MrWalsh


    Saipanne wrote: »
    Yeah, he's seen a doctor and was given the number of a clinic, so hopefully that will work out. I'm just trying to see what options there are out there, in case he doesn't take to this first option. Get him the most support possible.

    Im not familiar with services available on the Northside but Id say a google would help?

    If its not a public clinic then you would probably be looking at a lot of money for a private one (Im thinking of somewhere like the Rutland Centre on the southside).

    Are you talking here about a residential program or something where he goes in and out and sees counsellers and maybe gets prescribed something by doctors?


  • #5
    Saipanne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,882 ✭✭✭Saipanne


    MrWalsh wrote: »
    Im not familiar with services available on the Northside but Id say a google would help?

    If its not a public clinic then you would probably be looking at a lot of money for a private one (Im thinking of somewhere like the Rutland Centre on the southside).

    Are you talking here about a residential program or something where he goes in and out and sees counsellers and maybe gets prescribed something by doctors?

    More like counselling or group sessions.


  • #6
    MrWalsh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,664 ✭✭✭MrWalsh


    Saipanne wrote: »
    More like counselling or group sessions.

    Contact the HSE.

    I came across free counselling in Crumlin a few years back, Ill see if I can find the link, there may have been Northside options also. The public health nurse might know either.


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  • #7
    MrWalsh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,664 ✭✭✭MrWalsh


    There, I found a useful link:
    http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/LHO/NorthDublin/Addiction/Addiction_Services_-_LHO_-_North_Dublin.html


  • #8
    evolving_doors
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,812 ✭✭✭✭evolving_doors


    just something to consider, but if he is mixing it with regular tobacco (without filters)then he probably has a very high nicotine dependancy.

    He could be trying to contend with a 20 a day cigarette habit without even realising it!!


  • #9
    DoYouEvenLift
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,188 ✭✭✭DoYouEvenLift


    Gebgbegb wrote: »
    just something to consider, but if he is mixing it with regular tobacco (without filters)then he probably has a very high nicotine dependancy.

    He could be trying to contend with a 20 a day cigarette habit without even realising it!!


    This, literally came ITT to ask if he smokes spliffs or actual joints.


  • #10
    SoftMicro
    Closed Accounts Posts: 224 ✭✭SoftMicro


    Saipanne wrote: »
    Hi, my friend is looking for Dublin based (Northside or CC) resources to help him stop smoking cannabis, which he cannot seem to do, on his own.

    Please post any links that may be of use.

    Thanks

    Chrysalis drug project would be a good port of call. They have a building on Manor Street. I can't give url with this new account but easily find them with a Google search.


  • #11
    Saipanne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,882 ✭✭✭Saipanne


    Gebgbegb wrote: »
    just something to consider, but if he is mixing it with regular tobacco (without filters)then he probably has a very high nicotine dependancy.

    He could be trying to contend with a 20 a day cigarette habit without even realising it!!

    Yeah, he smokes tobacco too. One step at a time, I'd say.


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  • #12
    kylith
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,737 ✭✭✭✭kylith


    Saipanne wrote: »
    Yeah, he smokes tobacco too. One step at a time, I'd say.

    Trust me, the tobacco is as much, if not more, of a problem than the weed. Cannabis is psychologically habit forming, but tobacco is physically addictive. When he gives them both up he'll feel a strong craving but it's more than likely for nicotine rather than cannabis. Since he smokes the two together it's easy to confuse them

    Switching to vaping might be of help to him; it'll give him something to do with his hands while delivering a nicotine hit that will hopefully state his desire to smoke.


  • #13
    Saipanne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,882 ✭✭✭Saipanne


    kylith wrote: »
    Trust me, the tobacco is as much, if not more, of a problem than the weed. Cannabis is psychologically habit forming, but tobacco is physically addictive. When he gives them both up he'll feel a strong craving but it's more than likely for nicotine rather than cannabis. Since he smokes the two together it's easy to confuse them

    Switching to vaping might be of help to him; it'll give him something to do with his hands while delivering a nicotine hit that will hopefully state his desire to smoke.

    Good point. I'll suggest that.


  • #14
    blatantrereg
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,743 ✭✭✭blatantrereg


    If he doesn't manage only vaping then just smoke cigarettes for the moment. One step at a time.

    Nicotine addiction makes you experience a need to smoke like you experience a need to eat. You basically have to starve it until it goes away. It can be extremely difficult to quit. Cannabis doesn't cause the same sort of brain rewiring. It can still be non-trivial to quit, but it doesn't work on a physical level so the factors are different, and it is usually not as difficult to quit as nicotine.

    Social factors can be a major part of cannabis cessation. It can often be a central part of socialisation. If that's the case for your friend then you could help by proactively engaging him socially without the involvement of cannabis.

    Cigarettes probably taste horrible if he's only accustomed to joints. Which is no harm.

    Hopefully the clinic will be helpful. From what I've heard, the support services for quitting cannabis are a bit sh!t. They seem to use the same approach as for heroin, which makes them seem ridiculous and generally insult the patient - asking things like "How long are you clean?" [I think this was for narcotics anonymous. Cannabis is not a narcotic so I'm not sure why the person was directed to that really.]


  • #15
    Littlekittylou
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,357 ✭✭✭Littlekittylou


    I have no experience of weed but I wanted to say.

    http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/drugshivhelpline/cannabisbooklet.pdf

    Here is the HSE cannabis booklet it is a little simplistic and 'drugs are bad mkay' but it does have some tips for weening and calender to ween down. There is also a HSE drugs and alchohol helpline.

    I think people are on the fence for weed because some people seem to use it and have no issues where as some do and so services don't deal directly with it. Your friend has made a decision to quit. Props to him.

    Make sure he is sleeping well.

    Nicotine from what i hear is much more addictive.

    Meditation and hypnotherapy can help.


  • #16
    donkey oatey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 261 ✭✭donkey oatey


    These guys might help https://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/meetings/in-person/29-world/216-ireland


  • #17
    Littlekittylou
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,357 ✭✭✭Littlekittylou


    donkey oatey wrote: »
    These guys might help https://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/meetings/in-person/29-world/216-ireland
    That site looks.... unusual. Are you sure it's ok?


  • #18
    donkey oatey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 261 ✭✭donkey oatey


    It's for the marijuana version of alcoholics anonymous. What looks unusual?


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