Smoking marijuana, also called pot, is dangerous in many ways. It is unhealthy for the lungs and can also cause a person to get in trouble with the law. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to convince a friend to quit. Convincing a friend to stop smoking pot is actually a kind and humble act, but it needs to be done correctly, or else he may only resent you and continue smoking.
Step 1
Keep a journal of specific dates and events that your friend's smoking pot has caused a problem. Don't tell him you are doing this, as it may cause him to resent you or feel embarrassed. If you keep it a secret, it can be used positively to help him understand his mistakes in the future. Record things like when he got in trouble with the law, when he had to borrow money from you, or anything you think might help him see his pot use as a problem. Make sure not to be judgmental. Don't write things like "you were stupid" or "what a dumb thing to do." Simply write the facts of what happened.
Step 2
Plan an intervention for your friend, involving other friends and family members who are close to his heart. Keep the attendance to a minimum, however, as having too many people at his intervention may intimidate him even more. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America recommends inviting people like parents and possibly a sibling or friend. Have each person write a letter to share about why they would like him to quit smoking marijuana. Share your journal entries with him, so he sees how pot negatively affects his life. Be sure to tell him that he is loved and supported.
Step 3
Give him a blank journal to use during his recovery. Help him set goals for himself in his own personal journal. You can share examples of goals, such as "decrease smoking from once a day to twice a week" and "talk to a psychiatrist for help to quit smoking." Bucknell University recommends teaching him to use short-term goals rather than long-term goals like "quit smoking completely."
Step 4
Set a good example with your own actions. If you smoke marijuana, even occasionally, you need to stop in order to help your friend stop. Setting a good example by practicing healthy habits in front of your friend will encouraging him to quit smoking pot.
Things You'll Need
- Two journals
