Cannabis Tm To

8/3/2019 Cannabis Tm To

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cannabis

TOO MUCH TOO OFTEN?


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Okay, so cannabis getsyou high. It helps you to

relax and unwind and canmake you feel good...


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...but are you in controlof your cannabis use?

Or is it controlling you?You can become dependent on cannabis, just likeyou can with other drugs. Your dependency mightbe more psychological than physical but it canstill cause problems in your life.

This guide is for heavy cannabis users. It helps youunderstand what cannabis might be doing toyou, both mentally and physically, and what stepsyou can take if you want to cut back or quit. Itexplains the risks and the law, and points the wayto further help and information.

Contents

2 ups and downs

4 me? a cannabis habit?

6 wheres the fun

in quitting?8 cutting down

9 giving up

10 Three-step action plan

16 withdrawal

18 high-risk situations

19 the law21 advice and information

talktofrank.com 01

For more info and confi dential advice you

can callFRANK on 0800 77 66 00

or goto talktofrank.com


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ups and downs

You probably have lots of reasonsfor using cannabis:> to get high> to relax> to chill out with your mates and have a laugh> because you enjoy it

but have you experiencedany of the downs?

In the short term, cannabis can:

> make you feel sick (especially if you have

been drinking or are not used to smoking)> make you feel paranoid or edgy> affect your heart rate and blood pressure> lead to confusion and hallucinations> aggravate asthma

02 call FRANK 0800 77 66 00

Did you know?Cannabis contains at least as manycancer-causing chemicals as tobacco.


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me? a cannabis habit?

If any of the following soundfamiliar, it could mean that yourcannabis use is becoming morethan a bit of fun in your spare time.

> do you often fi nd yourself thinking about your

next joint?

> are you using larger amounts than before or doingit more often?

> do you try to give up, but then get back on it again?

> are you losing interest in other activities?

> are all your friends using cannabis too?

> do you need more and more to get the same hit?

> do you get edgy when you run out of stash or yoursupplies are low?

04 call FRANK 0800 77 66 00


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If you have experienced one

or more of these symptomsit doesnt necessarily meanyou are dependent.

But if you are concernedabout it, the next section hasinformation on how to cutdown or stop altogether.

talktofrank.com 05

To find out more about your cannabis

use and how its affecting your life,

try the cannabis self-help tool at

talktofrank.com


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wheres the fun in quitting?

Id tried loads of timesbut I couldnt give upweed. A lot of my mates

smoked it and I stillliked it. So I decidedto cut back instead.That meant I had moretime (and energy andmoney) to do other

things like seeing oldmates and playing theodd game of football.

Im feeling healthier andIm still having a laugh.Maybe Ill stop altogether.Tyler, 17

06 call FRANK 0800 77 66 00


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After five years of smoking

dope pretty much everyday, I was definitely doingit out of habit. It wasntthat much fun and it wascosting me loads. Stoppingwas really hard, but

eventually I did it. My friendsand family were glad tohave the old me back and so was I. Geri, 20

Most people say quitting or cutting back isntas bad as they thought it would be. And they

often only realise how much cannabis was

affecting them when they stop. Imagining

what your life will be like without cannabis

can help you take the first step

talktofrank.com 07


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08 call FRANK 0800 77 66 00

cutting down

Not ready to stop but want to easeoff a bit?

1. Pace yourselfReduce the risk of overdoing it by spacing outthe days when you use cannabis

2. Dont bulk buyOr you might end up using more than you intended

3. Change your routineTry to avoid the things you associate with cannabis do something else or be somewhere else

4. Be kinder to your throat, chest and lungsIf you smoke spliffs, dont inhale too deeply or fortoo long it wont get you any higher, it may justmean that you breathe in more toxins

5. Dont buy the stronger stuffSkunk is usually much stronger than traditional

weed or hash, and it might increase the risks toyour physical and mental health


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talktofrank.com 09

giving up

If you think its time to stop altogether,having a clear plan of action will helpyou stay determined and focused.

It doesnt need to be complicated just spend some

time and effort in three important steps:

1. Think about it3. Do it

2. Make a plan

Turn the page for step 1


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10 call FRANK 0800 77 66 00

1. think about it

Giving up is your decision. It needsto be something you really want todo. And you need to understandyour habit to tackle it effectively.

> Work out the pros and cons

In the end its your decision writing a list of thepros and cons can give you a balanced picture

> Understand your habitStart keeping a record of how much you are using,when and why you use it, who with and how itmakes you feel before and after

> Make a choiceIf you think its time to stop, move on to step 2

Understanding your triggers is vital.

See page 18 for more info.


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talktofrank.com 11

Turn the page for step 2

Give yourself time to

do this step properly.Checking your use overfour weeks will help youunderstand why you doit and what triggers it.

If youve got access

to a computer youcould use the onlineself-help programme attalktofrank.com

You can access your

account every day orevery few days to keeptrack of your cannabisuse. Everything yourecord is confidential.


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2. make a plan

This is when the idea starts tobecome a reality. But dont justjump in. Youre more likely tosucceed if you plan it out first.

>Pick a day to stop

And stick to it>Get some support lined up

Talk to family and friends, especially if youknow people whove managed to stop takingcannabis themselves

>Put diversions in placeDecide what youll do instead of using cannabis.If possible try something new or different

>Avoid your triggers [find out more on page 18]Work out who and what you need to avoidand how you will do this

12 call FRANK 0800 77 66 00


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Im putting my plan into action on:

Date:

The things Ill do instead of getting stoned:

talktofrank.com 13


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3. do it

Youve thought about it, planned itand now its here the first hoursand days of your cannabis-free life.

> Remember whyRemind yourself why you want to give up and

what the benefi ts are; think of the money youare saving and the things youll be able to do

> Deal with temptationDistract yourself by planning to do somethingelse you enjoy

Get on the phone to someone you trust formoral support

Do something else to relax, like going for a walkor having a bath

Avoid high-risk situations and people who smoke

14 call FRANK 0800 77 66 00


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> Take it a day at a time

Dont give yourself a hard time if you slip up many people fi nd it can take a few attemptsbefore they succeed

> Reward yourselfEvery week, if youve made good progress,do something special or buy something nice

to treat yourself

talktofrank.com 15

Giving up is a massive achievement.

Keep this in mind and feel proud of what

youve done. Stay positive and rememberyoure in control.


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talktofrank.com 17

THC [the main active

chemical in cannabis]is stored in the bodysfat cells. It thereforetakes longer to fullyclear the system thanany other common drug.

However, people oftenfind that giving up weedis not as difficult or aspainful as they thought:for most people thewithdrawal effects arenothing like trying tokick a heroin habit.

Although withdrawal

symptoms arent muchfun, they show that yourbody is adjusting to lifewithout cannabis andthey wont last.


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18 call FRANK 0800 77 66 00

high risk situations

Do you always get stoned withthe same crowd, or in a particularplace, or on a certain day or aftersomething has happened?

These are your

unconscious triggers the things that makeyou reach for a joint.Here are some waysto deal with them:

> leave or change the

situation

> buy yourself some timePut off the decision tosmoke for 15 minutesand see how you feelafter that

> change the way you

think about cannabisThink about all thethings you coulddo if you werentsmoking cannabis

> do something

unrelated to smoking

Make sure you know what your triggers

are before you try to cut down or stop.


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the law

Cannabis is a Class B drug.It is illegal.

Possession

The maximum sentence for possessing cannabisis fi ve years in prison and an unlimited fi ne.

If you are caught with it, the police will always takeaction. You can be arrested even if it is the fi rst timeyou have been caught. You are more likely to be

arrested if you are blatantly smoking in a public place.If you are 18 and over, the agreed police response is to:> Give you a cannabis warning the fi rst time> Give you a Penalty Notice for Disorder of 80

the second time> Arrest you if it is the third or more time

If you are between 10 and 17, the agreed policeresponse is to:> Give you a reprimand the fi rst time> Give you a fi nal warning the second time> Arrest you if it is the third or more time

Your parent or guardian will also be contacted.

talktofrank.com 19


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20 call FRANK 0800 77 66 00

the law

Supply

The maximum penaltyfor supplying cannabisis 14 years in prison andan unlimited fi ne.

Growing your own, carrying

a lot or sorting out yourmates puts you at risk ofbeing charged with dealingor intent to supply.

Its illegal to drive underthe influence of drugs.

If youre caught youface the same penaltiesas someone who hasbeen drink-driving.


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advice and information

If youve got questions or concerns about cutting

down or giving up, call FRANK on 0800 77 66 0024 hours a day for friendly, confi dential advice andinformation. Calls are free from landlines and somemobiles. Theres also a textphone for the hard ofhearing on 0800 917 8765. Or go to talktofrank.com

talktofrank.com 21

AdfamSupport materials for people

with a family member who

takes drugs. Can help youfind local support groups.

email: [email protected]

Release

Provides expert advice

and information on drugs,

the law and human rights.tel: 0845 4500 215

email: [email protected]

Go smoke free

Sometimes the nicotine

can be harder to give

up than the cannabis.This site has advice and

info about local services.tel: 0800 022 4 332smokefree.nhs.uk


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ownC

opyright2009200kAp

r09293987

0800 77 66 00talktofrank.com

FRANK is available in 120 languages,24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calls arefree from landlines and some mobiles.You can talk to FRANK confidentially:

> on 0800 77 66 00

> by textphone [for the hardof hearing] 0800 917 8765

> by emailing [email protected]

> by going to www.talktofrank.comand adding the FRANK Bot as acontact on your instant messenger

FRANK can also tell you what servicesare available in your area.

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