| There are few things more damaging to a relationship | | | | relationship together, write it down. You can either give |
| than an addiction. I constantly hear from my readers | | | | them the list or refer to it as you speak to them about |
| that their partner's marijuana addiction eats away at | | | | your concerns to be sure you stay on track. |
| their finances, ruins the time they have to spend | | | | Be Fair and Specific - They need to hear exactly |
| together and overall leaves them feeling second-best | | | | what it is that their addiction is doing. Instead of general, |
| to a leafy green weed. | | | | negative comments such as, "You would rather |
| It is understandable that a person dealing with their | | | | smoke weed than hang out with me," use positive |
| partner's marijuana addiction will feel frustrated, | | | | phrases to explain to them HOW the addiction has |
| insecure and even angry at their partner's unwillingness | | | | changed your lives: "I miss the time that we used to |
| to change their ways. Unfortunately, these feelings | | | | spend together and I want us to have fun again, like |
| often result in animosity and fighting rather than a | | | | we used to." |
| solution of the problem. It takes a person of great | | | | Be Prepared for Resistance - The first time you |
| character and patience to stay with an addict through | | | | broach the subject, you may not get the results you |
| their recovery - especially when they are not willing to | | | | want. Understand that it may take several attempts to |
| admit they have a problem. | | | | get your point across in a calm, rational manner. If you |
| Many marijuana smokers still believe that pot is not an | | | | feel yourself becoming angry and frustrated with their |
| addictive substance. How can you convince a loved | | | | seeming unwillingness to hear you out, walk away and |
| one to stop smoking marijuana when they don't | | | | try again later. Don't lose your temper. This leads us to |
| believe it's doing them any harm? The very nature of | | | | another important point... |
| this drug contributes to the problem; as your | | | | Know Your Limits - Before approaching your partner |
| pot-smoking partner smokes more and more often, | | | | about their marijuana addiction, you must know your |
| they tend to lose their perspective. They truly can't | | | | own limits. If your intervention and support don't make |
| see the damage they are doing to your relationship. | | | | them quit, will you stay? Are you going to give them an |
| They don't understand the amount of time they spend | | | | ultimatum? Are you strong enough to walk away, or |
| smoking weed instead of doing the things you used to | | | | will you stay and put up with it if things don't change? |
| enjoy together. The amount of money they waste on | | | | These are tough questions to answer, but you |
| marijuana just doesn't seem like a big deal when | | | | absolutely must know what YOU need from the |
| they're in their hazy, happy place. | | | | relationship before you can explain that to your partner |
| Before approaching your loved one with your | | | | and expect them to follow suit. |
| concerns, formulate a plan of action: | | | | If you are willing to put the effort into trying to help |
| Educate - Have statistics to back up your claims. You | | | | your partner stop smoking marijuana, I take my hat off |
| can find great articles with marijuana addiction | | | | to you. It is not an easy road and your patience will be |
| statistics in back issues of the website. | | | | tried over and over again. Be supportive, be strong, but |
| Articulate - For some of us, it's just easier to say it in | | | | don't be afraid to take a break from it all if it all |
| writing. If you have a hard time expressing the ways | | | | becomes too much for you. |
| that your partner's addiction affects you and your | | | | |