Marijuana addiction can be difficult to deal with in teenagers. Luckily, there are ways that you, as the parent, can help them. It’s all about a combination of an empathetic approach and professional treatment.
Your teen is smoking weed, and they can’t seem to curb the habit, no matter what anyone tries. But did you know that addiction is actually a chronic disease? And like any chronic disease, it will only get better with treatment—as well as the right kind of support from you, the parent. If you’re worried about your teen’s marijuana use, continue on to learn how to help them stop.
According to an article in JAMA Health Forum, in 2023, cannabis was one of the most commonly used illicit drugs among U.S. adolescents, with 11.2% of youths aged 12 to 17 years reporting use within the past year. The study also found that any cannabis use among teenagers was associated with an increased risk of psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders in adulthood, necessitating prompt interventions to prevent lasting psychological harm.
Research by Yale Medicine notes that 30% of current cannabis users meet the clinical criteria for an addiction, hence why it is often difficult for teenagers to quit. Experts like Clearfork Academy stress that this issue is not a matter of willpower, as addiction can alter brain chemistry. For this reason, professional treatment is often recommended to improve the chances of recovery and prevent relapse over the long term.
First, you have to get your teen open to the idea of treatment if they aren’t already. The best way to do that is to approach them about marijuana from a place of empathy and concern. Instead of accusations, start with statements like, “You’ve been withdrawn lately. Is everything okay?” This will make your teen more likely to be honest with you, and it’ll also give you the chance to understand the root cause of their cannabis use—and that will help the both of you come up with the best way to put a stop to it.
Just note that you’ll likely spend this first conversation doing more listening than talking, and that’s totally fine. Active listening is a great way to get your teen to feel seen and heard, which will make them more open to getting help.
But don’t be too soft in your approach, or you’ll send the wrong message. Set clear, consistent boundaries on cannabis use at home with consequences that you’re willing to enforce; this can be achieved with mandatory participation in check-ins and support programs for the teen, as well as restrictions on social situations where marijuana use is more likely.
In terms of professional treatment, mental health experts agree that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective approaches for marijuana addiction, especially when offered by a licensed therapist trained in adolescent psychology. Integrative treatment programs are the recommended choice, as they will typically include guided discovery, cognitive reconstruction, cognitive journaling, and relaxation techniques, in addition to talk therapy—a combination of these exercises can improve the patient’s treatment outcome.
Of course, don’t shy away from any program that encourages family involvement. Your ongoing support and understanding are some of the best treatments your teen could get. Even if you’re not a therapist, you can do more for your child than you think.
