Why do people who use hide their use?

People who use cannabis and hide it can have various reasons, such as fear, shame or conflict. Hiding is in itself no proof of a problem. It can, however, be a sign that use takes up more room than the person would like. Anyone who wants to assess this looks at the consequences, and the amounts are only part of the picture.

Typical reasons for hiding it

Possible reasons for concealing are fear of reactions from family, from the workplace or from the circle of friends. Some feel guilt because they gave a promise they could not keep. Others simply do not want to have a discussion. Hiding then protects against conflict, but at the same time it stops help from getting through at all.

Warning signs to take seriously

According to drugcom, a dependence is present if at least two criteria apply within 12 months. One such criterion is loss of control, that is, the feeling of no longer having your use under control. Equally important is whether use has already brought negative consequences. According to drugcom, amount and frequency play no decisive role in the question of dependence. The prevention site cannabispraevention.de names, among other warning signs, withdrawal, secrecy, and lying or excuses to cover up use. Secrecy can therefore be part of a picture that includes several signs. The article Which warning signs show that use is becoming too much? explains which warning signs can occur with your own use.

Understanding psychological dependence

Dependence can develop with lasting use. According to Suchtschweiz, it shows mainly as a strong craving for cannabis. If you feel this craving even though you do not actually want it, take it seriously. According to the BIÖG, roughly one in eight people who use cannabis become dependent. This figure says nothing about the individual case, but it shows that dependence is not a fringe topic.

The cannabis check as orientation

The drugcom cannabis check asks, depending on the question, about different periods (from seven days to twelve months), including loss of control. It does not replace a conversation. It can, however, help order your thoughts. Anyone who takes the test should not sugar-coat the answers. The result is an invitation to reflect, and it passes no verdict. An overview of self-assessments is also offered by the article How can you tell for yourself whether you are dependent?.

Starting the conversation calmly

Anyone who approaches someone who is hiding something should not begin with accusations. Better is an observation in the first person, for example: I have noticed that you seem more restless lately. Then comes an open question, for example how the person feels about it. Avoid threats and generalisations. For parents, the article How do parents raise the topic of cannabis properly? offers additional tips.

Get information anonymously and find help

Anyone not yet ready to disclose their use can start by getting information. The Sucht und Drogen Hotline can be reached on 01806 313031 (daily from 8:00 to 24:00, charged). Anyone who takes the step via the hotline decides for themselves how much to say on the phone. Where you can talk about your own use without disclosing everything at once is explained in the article Where can you talk anonymously about your own use?.

Steps for those affected

1. Honestly check what consequences use has in everyday life.
2. Talk through your thoughts with a trusted person.
3. Use a self-assessment or the cannabis check.
4. Contact an addiction counselling centre and discuss the way forward.
5. Set realistic goals for your use together with professionals.

What relatives can do themselves

If someone close to you hides something, you do not have to know everything. It helps to ask yourself what you have observed and what you want to say about it. Accusations can increase the pressure, and then even more is hidden. A calm offer to listen, by contrast, remains open. Counselling for relatives is also available, helping with their own way of handling the situation.

Responsibility in the environment

The environment also bears responsibility. Parents, friends and colleagues can give hints without judging. Early conversations make access to help easier. Another point: according to the drugcom drug lexicon, an early start to use can lead to lasting impairments of cognitive performance. This information belongs in a conversation that does without panic.