Why do I use cannabis, and how do I check that?

The question of motive is uncomfortable but helpful. Anyone who honestly checks why they use cannabis sees faster whether use is a deliberate decision or an automatic reach for a particular situation. The check takes little time, but it requires honesty with yourself. It works best when done in writing.

Typical motives and their traps

People use cannabis for different reasons. Possible motives are curiosity, sociability, easing off after work, the wish to sleep, or dealing with stress. Each of these motives may seem harmless on its own. It becomes problematic when use is the only strategy for dealing with a feeling.

A survey shows how closely stress and use can be linked. According to the online survey by the researchers Cavalli and Cservenka from 2021, with over 800 people with cannabis experience, stressful life events are linked to cannabis-related problems, for example conflicts, job loss or lack of drive. The link was stronger among people who reported difficulties in dealing with their feelings. The researchers interpret cannabis use under stress as a kind of numbing. The study leaves open whether use is the cause or the consequence of stress.

Questions to check your motive

The following questions help you sort out your own reasons. It is best to answer them in writing, ideally for one week:

• When do I use: in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening or at night?
• Do I use alone or with others, and who is there?
• What did I experience before using, and how do I feel beforehand?
• What would happen if I did not use at this moment?
• Does use help me process the feeling, or does it only push it away?
• Are there situations in which I deliberately go without, and what is different there?

Anyone who collects the answers often sees patterns. Use after anger at work means something different from use with friends at the weekend. It helps to go through the patterns after a week. A simple tool for this is a use diary, which the article Does a use diary help with self-control? describes in more detail.

A look at the self-test

The cannabis check from drugcom is a self-test that asks about different periods depending on the question, from the last seven days to the last twelve months. Among other things, it asks about reasons for use, situations and loss of control. The test does not replace personal counselling. It can, however, serve as a prompt to look at your reasons more closely. More on how to classify this is in the article Which online tests for self-assessment are there?.

When feelings drive use

If you regularly reach for cannabis when stressed, angry or grieving, a closer look is worthwhile. The survey suggests that dealing with feelings plays a major role. The link in the survey was stronger among people with difficulties in dealing with feelings. The authors also suspect that chronic use can affect stress-related hormonal processes. The survey did not test this.

A second question is helpful: what other ways do I have of dealing with this feeling? Sport, a conversation with a trusted person or a walk are examples. Whether they work has to be tried out. The article Does cannabis become a problem as stress relief? looks more closely at this connection.

Why honesty is hard

Many people sugar-coat their use, often without noticing. Anyone who sees cannabis as a soothing habit quickly overlooks the moments in which use becomes unpleasant. An outside view helps with this. A trusted person can describe what they observe. It is important to discuss these observations without accusations.

Part of the check is also a look at changes over time. If you used differently a year ago, ask yourself what has changed and whether use takes up more room than it used to.

When support makes sense

If, during the check, you notice that you can no longer control your use, professional help makes sense. The Sucht & Drogen Hotline can be reached on 01806 313031 (daily from 8:00 to 24:00, charged). DigiSucht offers, according to its own information, anonymous and free contact with counsellors.

If you want to clarify your motives together with a professional, you will find pointers in the article When does professional help for cannabis use make sense?.