Expect the unexpected?
Question
My best mate smokes cannabis on a fairly regular basis. I've never thought anything of it until I smoked some with him the other night. I hated every minute of it: my personality changed; I was paranoid; and I was really argumentative. I'm really irritated with myself for trying it.
I'm gutted I acted like that and, although I think we've made-up, I can't help worrying about him and what smoking cannabis might be doing to him. He's got so many dreams and ambitions and I hate the idea of him throwing it all away. What should I do?
Answer
It seems you're quite shaken from your first time trying cannabis. Paranoia and mood swings are well known side effects of this drug, so don't worry; it's quite common to have these experiences.
Drugs affect people in different ways so your mate might not have the same reaction when he smokes. This is why it is always best to read up about any drug before you take it, so you will know what to expect. Don't be too hard on yourself for trying it, it's natural to be curious but you must always remember to make sure that keeping safe is your main priority.
If you are worried about your mate, the best thing you can do is to support him. Remember, he may not be ready to stop smoking so be careful not to push him away by telling him you think he should stop. The most effective approach is to give him information about cannabis and where to get help with stopping when he is ready to.
If you're worried about someone's drug use, you can call Frank on 0800 77 66 00. As well as a confidential helpline, they have a directory of drugs services across the UK, so that your mate can get any help he needs.
Updated: 22/06/2009
Question answered by Addaction
