What does loss of control over use mean?
Loss of control over use here means: you have the impression that you no longer have your use under control. This is exactly what the cannabis check from drugcom asks about, which refers to the last 12 months. You want to use less and cannot, or you use more than you actually intended. The drugcom lexicon describes that psychological dependence can develop with long-term use. BIÖG writes that cannabis can cause psychological and physical dependence. This article shows how to recognise loss of control and which steps help.
What loss of control concretely means
Loss of control does not show up in a fixed quantity. On dependence, drugcom writes that neither the quantity nor the frequency of use plays the decisive role. What matters is whether use has already had negative consequences. If at least two dependence criteria apply within 12 months, drugcom speaks of dependence. Problematic use usually begins earlier.
Drugcom describes that those affected feel they can no longer manage without cannabis. This feeling can be a warning sign.
How common dependence is
According to BIÖG, roughly one in eight people who use cannabis becomes dependent. According to BIÖG, the risk rises if you use once or several times a week, and psychological dependence in particular can become very strong.
Typical warning signs
- You resolve to use less and do not keep the resolution.
- You use more often or more than you want to.
- You feel uncomfortable or tense without cannabis.
- Your performance at school, in training or at work suddenly gets worse.
- You conceal your use or play it down.
BIÖG names suddenly poorer performance at school or in training, withdrawal, listlessness and giving up interests as typical signs of addiction. Individual signs alone do not prove dependence.
Why the effect is hard to assess
Part of the loss of control is linked to the effect itself. Drugcom describes that THC taken by eating or drinking is absorbed more slowly, and that the effect sets in with a delay and often very suddenly. This makes it unpredictable and makes the amount hard to judge. BIÖG also warns of the rising danger of overdose with very high THC content.
How you recognise your pattern
A use diary shows you when and why you use. Note date, time, situation, mood and how you feel afterwards. After about two weeks, a pattern can be seen more clearly. The article Does a use diary help with self-control? explains how to keep one.
A self-test can also give you an initial assessment. The cannabis check from drugcom or the cannabis self-test on suchtberatung.digital can give you initial feedback. They do not replace a diagnosis. More on this is in the article How can you tell for yourself whether you are dependent?.
Why stopping sometimes fails
If you have tried to stop several times, it can help to evaluate those attempts. Ask yourself in which situations you relapsed and what support was missing. The article What to do if stopping keeps failing? takes up exactly this question.
Involving your environment
The circle of friends also influences your own use. Talk with trusted people about what support you need. The article “How does the circle of friends influence your own use?” shows how you can deal with it.
When professional help makes sense
Counselling makes sense if you can no longer control your use, if everyday life suffers or if you are unsure. You do not have to wait for a crisis. Ask a counselling service whether they also advise people without fixed consumption goals. The article When is professional help with cannabis sensible? describes this threshold in more detail.
Prevention through early action
BIÖG writes that a single puff on a joint does not make you dependent immediately, while the risk rises with longer and more frequent use. Anyone who watches for warning signs early can seek advice in time. A week without use, or a conversation with trusted people, can show you how easy or hard that is for you.
What relatives can do
When a close person can no longer control their use, relatives often feel helpless. A calm exchange without accusations helps. Name concretely what you observe and say which worries you have. Then the person can decide whether they want to talk about it.
You are not responsible for the person stopping. Your own counselling can help you find your limits. The article Why do relatives also need their own counselling? explains why this is worthwhile.
What you can do now
- Keep a use diary over two weeks.
- Take the self-test or answer the questions honestly for yourself.
- Note the situations in which you use more than you planned.
- Look for a counselling service or an online offer if you notice loss of control.
For a first conversation by phone, you can reach the Sucht & Drogen Hotline on 01806 313031 (calls are charged, daily from 8 am to midnight). In an acute danger, call the emergency number 112.
Frequently asked questions
What does loss of control with cannabis use mean?
Loss of control means that you have the impression of no longer controlling your use, so using more often or more than you want. According to BIÖG, roughly one in eight people becomes dependent. Warning signs include poorer performance at school or in training, withdrawal and listlessness. A use diary and counselling help to recognise the pattern.