National Marijuana Awareness Month is an annual event highlighting the dangers of this increasingly popular drug. Every year, close to 50 million people use marijuana at least once. And roughly one in every 10 of those people will develop a marijuana use disorder. Awareness Month is an excellent opportunity to highlight the importance of marijuana addiction treatment programs. It’s also an opportunity to support awareness efforts in other ways.
If you need treatment for marijuana use disorder, talk to the specialists at BrightView.
Our drug addiction treatment program provides comprehensive support for recovery from this condition. To learn more about how we can help, call today at 888.501.9865.
How Can You Observe National Marijuana Awareness Month?
1. Learn More About Marijuana Use Disorder
One important way to observe Awareness Month is to educate yourself about marijuana use disorder. Today, many marijuana users and members of the public are unaware that addiction to the drug is possible. This is true for a number of reasons, including:
- Laws that legalize marijuana use in many parts of the country
- The status of marijuana as a prescription medication in some states
- The perception of marijuana as being safer than other kinds of drugs
In reality, marijuana is capable of causing the same brain changes that trigger addiction to other substances. The more you learn about how and why this occurs, the more you can hold knowledgeable conversations with others.
2. Participate in Scheduled Events
Every year, National Marijuana Awareness Month is celebrated with various local and national events. In its own way, each event focuses on some aspect of the risks of marijuana use or the need for treatment. Find out if any events are scheduled in your area. You can also look for events held virtually over the Internet. Your participation can help promote the month’s goals and broaden its reach.
For those in recovery, it’s important to be careful about what events you attend. Events where marijuana is consumed, for example, might serve as a trigger for individuals who are working to overcome a substance use disorder.
3. Help Someone Who Needs Treatment
Like many across the country, you may know someone affected by serious marijuana problems. If so, Awareness Month may be a good time to discuss your concerns and the possibility of seeking treatment. However, this is not a simple task to take on. Public health experts offer tips on how to go about it. Highlights of these tips include things such as:
- Making sure you understand the key facts about marijuana use disorder as a disease
- Preparing in advance for any conversation you have
- Acknowledging your friend or loved one as a person in need of compassion
- Talking in clear and honest terms about how you perceive the situation
- Avoiding statements that paint the situation in black-or-white terms
- Discussing the idea of seeking help in encouraging terms
- Not comparing marijuana use disorder to other substance use disorders
Also, be aware that your efforts may or may not have the desired results.
4. Provide Support Following Treatment
Even when treatment ends, people with marijuana use disorder continue to need help and support. Much of this support comes through ongoing access to skilled treatment professionals. However, this is only part of the equation. Support from friends and family can also play a significant role.
If you know someone who has received marijuana treatment, you can provide support by checking in with them regularly. You can also ask them for information on what they need to keep their recovery going. Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the importance of these actions.
BrightView: Your Source for Marijuana Addiction Awareness and Treatment
At BrightView, we fully support marijuana addiction awareness and the goals of Awareness Month. We also specialize in the convenient, accessible treatment of marijuana use disorder. Call today to feel better tomorrow. You can reach us at 888.501.9865 or use the convenient online form to get in touch with an addiction specialist.
