Are there group offers for people who use cannabis?
Group offers for people who use cannabis exist, but not everywhere. Some addiction counselling services offer them, and addiction self-help groups meet online and in person. Whether a suitable offer runs in your region is best clarified directly with a counselling service.
Where you can find group offers
The first point of contact is an addiction counselling service near you. The DHS Suchthilfeverzeichnis (addiction help directory) of the Deutsche Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen (DHS) lists services by postcode or place and radius. According to the DHS, the information in the directory is self-reported by the services. So call and ask whether there is currently a group for people who use cannabis, when it meets and how registration works.
The DHS also refers to associations of addiction self-help, for example the Kreuzbund, the Blaues Kreuz, the Freundeskreise für Suchtkrankenhilfe and Narcotics Anonymous. According to the DHS, self-help groups exist in person and online. The associations have different focuses. Ask the respective group whether it is open to people who use cannabis.
Group or one-to-one
A counselling group brings together several people who are supported by specialists. How often it meets, how long it runs and which topics come up is decided by the service. One-to-one sessions offer room for topics you do not want to discuss in a round. Ask the service whether it offers both and what suits your concern. A preliminary conversation can clarify which format suits you.
What you can clarify before the first appointment
A group is a new situation for many people. These questions help you get clarity in advance:
- Who is the group for: people who want to cut down, people who want to stop, or a particular age group?
- Is the group closed (everyone starts and ends together) or open (new participants can join later)?
- How many appointments are planned, how long does a session last and how big is the group?
- How much do you have to tell about yourself, and may you only listen at the beginning?
- Which confidentiality rules apply, and what may the specialist pass on?
- What does taking part cost, and does it take place online or in person?
Write the answers down, with the date. That way you can compare two or three offers before you decide.
Online groups and data protection
Some offers run online. Before you register, check who operates the offer, whether a legal notice (Impressum) and a privacy policy are available, and what information you have to provide. The article How safe is my data in online counselling? explains what matters here. If getting to the service is difficult, the article Online counselling or a local service: what fits? compares both forms.
Offers for young people
Age limits differ from service to service. Ask whether there is a group for teenagers or young adults, or from which age you can take part. An overview of counselling for young people is given in the article Where do youth counselling services advise on cannabis use?
When a group is too much
Joining a group is optional. If the thought of a round with others makes you uneasy, you can start with a one-to-one conversation or online counselling, for example at DigiSucht or mindzone, and decide later whether a group is an option for you. The article How does online drug counselling at mindzone work? describes how it runs.
Relapses and setbacks
If you do not keep to your use goal, discuss it with the specialist, ideally before you leave the group. Ask before joining how the group deals with relapses. The article What to do after a cannabis relapse? explains what helps after a relapse.
Where group offers reach their limits
A group does not replace a medical check-up. In case of severe withdrawal symptoms, persistent psychological problems or physical complaints, talk to a doctor. In acute danger, call the emergency number 112. If you would like to speak on the phone first, the Sucht & Drogen Hotline can be reached on 01806 313031. Costs and availability are listed on the hotline's website.
What you can do now
- Search for a counselling service near you in the DHS Suchthilfeverzeichnis.
- Call and ask about groups for people who use cannabis. Ask for a preliminary conversation if you are unsure.
- Note in advance what you hope to get from a group. A use diary can help with this.
- Ask a self-help group too if you prefer to talk with like-minded people.
Frequently asked questions
Are there group offers for people who use cannabis?
Yes, but not everywhere. Some addiction counselling services offer groups, and there are self-help groups online and in person. You can find out whether a group runs in your region from the counselling service or through the DHS Suchthilfeverzeichnis.
What should I check before registering?
Ask about the target group, appointments, costs, group size and confidentiality. Also clarify whether you may only listen at first. A group does not replace a medical check-up in acute crises.