Marijuana is a mind-altering drug that changes how the brain functions. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the potency of marijuana has been growing steadily since the 1970s. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the main component of the drug that causes psychoactive reactions.
Knowing how marijuana affects the brain may hinder some people from using it, but there are still those who do. You may even know someone who does. And although taking the first step to stop your friend from smoking pot may be scary, remind yourself that you may be the only one who cares enough to say or do anything about it.
Step 1
Tell your friend that not everyone smokes marijuana, also called weed, pot and reefer. And prove this by serving as a role model and not smoking weed yourself. Stay involved in sports and other activities that require a clear mind and include your friend. Let him see how much fun you have with your friends who don't use drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fewer than one in four high school seniors smokes pot.
Step 2
Talk to your friend about the health ramifications of smoking pot. Explain how pot clouds memory and reduces the ability to learn. Tell him he will lose motor coordination and experience increased heart rate, as reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Let him know how it increases his risks for cancer, respiratory illnesses and a lowered immune system.
Step 3
Talk to a school counselor, minister, parent or doctor whom you trust about your friend. Express your concerns and ask for guidance. Counselors may refer you to an interventionist who can help you confront your friend and get him to seek help. Prepare for the intervention by finding a treatment center willing to take your friend when he is ready to quit.
Step 4
Let your friend know how you feel about drug use and how worried you are about what might happen to him if he continues to smoke pot. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 33 percent of drivers in reckless car accidents were high on weed. The Department of Health and Human Resources reports other consequences including losing friends. There is also the chance of getting expelled from school or dropping out and being arrested and jailed. An arrest record can follow him through life and keep him from getting certain jobs. Let him know that you may have to tell someone about the weed even if it means your friend may get mad at you.
Step 5
Get a list of the local Narcotics Anonymous meetings and give it to your friend. If you do nothing else, you can begin to plant seeds in your friend's mind about places he can go for help.
Things You'll Need
- Counselor
- Treatment center
- Narcotics Anonymous meetings list
