"An inspiring and emotionally gripping short which gives direct insight to youth's relationship with synthetic marijuana. It was shot in Washington, D.C. at the historic Howard Theater as well as the Wards 5 & 6 DC Prevention Center in early August, 2012, days before a dynamic exchange of dialogue exploring the real impact of fake weed and the future of the District of Columbia at Goethe Institut. ""Synthetic Marijuana: YOUth's Real Relationship with Fake Weed"" brings together young men and women to discuss their perceptions, experiences, opinions, and their feelings on the marketing of synthetic substances in their communities, our communities. Courtney Bennett, Youth Advocate & Community Organizer, serves as moderator for the conversation. Directed by Danielle Koon and Adam Simms. Produced by the DC Prevention Center for Wards 5 & 6 in conjunction with DC Department of Health Addiction Prevention & Recovery Administration.
The Washington Examiner - The DC Prevention Center for Wards 5 & 6 and Courtney Bennett's research are both featured in the cover story!!!
http://washingtonexaminer.com/designe...
PR contact: youthinactiontv@gmail.com"
Quotes
"I had extremly bad anxiety for the first week when I quit, it lead to irritability and problems falling asleep, it was tough, but you learn new coping techniques along with them, it gets easier."
Josh
"I don't miss the fact that now when my lips move it is more than likely I am actually telling the truth."
Jane S
"I don't miss the fear that arose when I'm driving my car every time a police car hovers into view."
Steven
"My lowest point was when I realised I was stealing money from my daughters Christmas presents to fund my habit."
P. Gomez
"That's what made me think of stopping my drug habits - My Blood pressure spiked at 200/110 last week during a Panic Attack."
Maria
"Anyone being faced with the reality that their addiction needs to be conquered and their life will change is going to be scared."
Fatima
"You need to realize that the little voice in your head telling you to use is your own."
Maya
"Find out why you use, find out your triggers, and take it day by day. Any day clean is better than any day you’ve been high."
Ivan
"My goal in life wasn't living...it was getting high. I was falling in a downward spiral towards a point of no return"
John
"I ended up homeless and on the streets, living and sleeping in a cardboard box, begging and struggling to find ways to get my next meal."
Ben
"Now I see how important it is for me to be in control of every part of me. Today my body is being controlled by me. I am in the driver’s seat, and I’m driving with happiness."
Nathan
"Little did I know that my mom was upstairs crying every night that I came home late, crying because she was scared for my survival."
Nick
"I only saw the upside of taking marijuana. My friends saw the forgetful, slow talker they had not known years before."
Yamashita
"I'm more graceful in social situations without that paranoia, and I just got a great job that I could only have by passing a drug test."
Anonymous
"Before I became a mother I saw no reason to quit smoking weed, but now I have every reason to quit."
Anonymous
"Just constantly stoned whether I'm working or at university or at home."
Erin
"For the past eight years I have relied on pot to relieve my depression. It makes me feel worse."
Janet
"I've continued to smoke every day for the past 5 years to avoid depressive thoughts and emotions i did not want to deal with, but I now know that this is not a way to live."
Parker
"My love affair with weed started about 2 years ago after grade 11. I was serious in school and motivated but to be honest I can't remember how I was before I started smoking."
Joe
"I have been feeding, clothing and subsidising my son all his adult life, paying for flats and contents which he then systematically sells for drugs. Cannabis has ruined an otherwise, funny, intelligent, good looking human being."
Alec
"I was arrested for burgling my parents' house and for several drug offences. Thankfully, my mum stood up in court and pleaded with the judge to send me to rehab. I was sent to a prison with a good drugs unit. If I hadn't been, I would probably be dead by "
Darren
"Depression and marijuana feed on each other."
John
"After quitting weed, my memory has come back somewhat, but It's nowhere near as good as what it was."
Ben
"The clean life is a wonderful life, and I wouldn’t hand it back for anything."
Jay
"Weed just makes time go by fast, where you don't even get a chance to enjoy the present time."
Simma
"Is there a familiar aroma emanating from your kid's room? Do you shake your head and ignore it thinking, "Hey, I got high when I was a teen and I turned out OK, right?" Well, think again"
Doreen Smith
"It's much more potent marijuana, which may explain why we've seen a pretty dramatic increase in admission to emergency rooms and treatment programs for marijuana"
Dr Nora D Volkow
"An 8 point drop in IQ was found among the 38 year olds who had started regularly smoking pot by 18, with declines that persisted even if after they quit using a year later"
Madeline Meier PhD
"When I smoked a lot, I didn’t accomplish a thing. It took me forever to do simple tasks that didn’t used to cause me any trouble at all. Where are my keys? Even getting dressed becomes a pain. Believe me. Sometimes I woudn’t even have the motivation to le"
John
"I've basically done nothing over the last 10 years without smoking, and everything just seems boring and worthless. I've forced myself to go out and at least do SOMETHING outside every day."
Adilah
"Pot smokers don't dream, so once you have your first dream after giving up, you're on the road to success."
Nick
"After one day of not smoking habitually for a couple years, my dreams became immensely more vivid. I’ve come to look forward to these experiences which has inspired me to log my dreams in a book. It’s awesome. Dreams can be some of the most exciting highs"
Mike
"Today, and I noticed that a channel is running a marathon of my favorite tv show. Immediately I wondered why I wasn't excited, and I realized why. I was sad because I know that I don't have any weed to enjoy the marathon."
For many people struggling with addiction, the biggest and toughest step toward recovery is deciding to make a change. It’s normal to...
For many people struggling with addiction, the biggest and toughest step toward recovery is deciding to make a change. It’s normal to feel conflicted about giving up your drug of choice, even when you realize it’s causing problems in your life. Committing to sobriety involves changing many things, including the way you deal with stress, who you allow in your life, what you do in your free time and how you think about yourself.
While getting sober from drugs is an important first step, it’s only the beginning of the recovery process. Once sober, the brain nee...
While getting sober from drugs is an important first step, it’s only the beginning of the recovery process. Once sober, the brain needs time to recover and rebuild connections that have changed while addicted. During this time, drug cravings can be intense. You can support your continued sobriety by making a conscious effort to avoid people, places, and situations that trigger the urge to use.
Relapse is a common part of the recovery process from drug addiction. While relapse is understandably frustrating and discouraging, it ...
Relapse is a common part of the recovery process from drug addiction. While relapse is understandably frustrating and discouraging, it can also be an opportunity to learn from your mistakes and correct your treatment course.
The first step to fighting addiction is to make a decision that it is time to make a life change. That life change will reflect your de...
The first step to fighting addiction is to make a decision that it is time to make a life change. That life change will reflect your desire to quit your addiction. Your life change may require one or many changes be made to accomplish your goal.
It’s time to clean out the closet and take inventory. No hiding because of shame. No hiding because of fear. You are not alone in you...
It’s time to clean out the closet and take inventory. No hiding because of shame. No hiding because of fear. You are not alone in your addiction. Thousands of others have fought the same battle. Now is the time to list your good qualities, the things you like about yourself, and want to keep. It is also the time to list your bad qualities, your habits and addictions you wish to overcome. Writing is a powerful tool for the brain. Writing the inventory list will help your brain to help you overcome your addiction. You will be more attune to your strengths and weaknesses and better able to use your strengths to overcome your weakness.
Having a good attitude or at least being open minded about what you may or may not learn while in treatment can significantly improve b...
Having a good attitude or at least being open minded about what you may or may not learn while in treatment can significantly improve both the quality of your experience and your success when you go home.
Don’t waste your time or the time of others trying to smuggle in contraband items. Instead, pay attention to what is allowed and maxi...
Don’t waste your time or the time of others trying to smuggle in contraband items. Instead, pay attention to what is allowed and maximize the personal items you can bring so that you are as comfortable as possible during treatment.
Rehab is a huge time for you. You are completely changing your life. Keeping a journal will help you work through some of the (often co...
Rehab is a huge time for you. You are completely changing your life. Keeping a journal will help you work through some of the (often conflicting) thoughts and feelings you will experience during addiction treatment.
Before you go to rehab, you should let a few key people in on where you are headed and how long you will be gone. You don’t need to g...
Before you go to rehab, you should let a few key people in on where you are headed and how long you will be gone. You don’t need to get too intimate with the details if you don’t want to, but make sure at least that you handle a few basic things, so that you don’t return to a host of unexpected surprises after rehab.
Be honest with yourself, with your therapist, with your counsellors, with your doctors. If you hate rehab and just want to go home, tel...
Be honest with yourself, with your therapist, with your counsellors, with your doctors. If you hate rehab and just want to go home, tell your counsellors. If you find even the smallest thing that speaks to you in treatment or makes rehab more interesting, tell them that, too. Honesty and communication are the best ways to get the most out of treatment.
Marijuana rehab is not a passive experience. You are not expected to clone yourself and simply absorb the dictates of the rehab regime....
Marijuana rehab is not a passive experience. You are not expected to clone yourself and simply absorb the dictates of the rehab regime. Those who get the most out of marijuana rehab ask questions. Asking questions is the only way to learn and grow in your recovery.
Whether you attend 12 step meetings, go to therapy or continue on in a sober living facility, the most effective marijuana rehab treatm...
Whether you attend 12 step meetings, go to therapy or continue on in a sober living facility, the most effective marijuana rehab treatment is followed up by some sort of structured, supportive aftercare services.
You need to follow a plan. We've all heard it before but, "those who fail to plan...plan to fail". This is true when trying to break fr...
You need to follow a plan. We've all heard it before but, "those who fail to plan...plan to fail". This is true when trying to break free of an addiction. Quitting anything that has become a habit isn't easy and marijuana is no different. It will be a psychological battle and those that have an action plan or program to follow will ultimately be more successful because they were prepared for battle.
It sounds simple and do you know what? It is. Do something. Anything. Focus on hobbies or projects, build a dog house, organize all you...
It sounds simple and do you know what? It is. Do something. Anything. Focus on hobbies or projects, build a dog house, organize all your business and tax files, organize all the files on your computer, exercise, go hiking, play basketball, you get he idea. Just stay busy. Anything is better than going and getting stoned.
I'm sure we all have friends that don't smoke marijuana. So, why not try hanging with your friends that don't smoke? If you must contin...
I'm sure we all have friends that don't smoke marijuana. So, why not try hanging with your friends that don't smoke? If you must continue hanging out with your pot smoking friends why not try doing so in public places where laws are enforced. You hang out with these friends where they can't smoke pot.
Potheads get high as a reward for accomplishing normal everyday tasks. Try rewarding yourself with something nice once in awhile. Order...
Potheads get high as a reward for accomplishing normal everyday tasks. Try rewarding yourself with something nice once in awhile. Order a PPV movie, go out for ice cream, make something special for dinner. Something simple but effective.
This does not mean find another drug! It does however mean that while you try to quit pot you need to develop some coping mechanisms wh...
This does not mean find another drug! It does however mean that while you try to quit pot you need to develop some coping mechanisms when you feel the need to use pot again. Finding something creative and fulfilling to fill that void can often lead to great things.
The first thing you must do is realize what your addiction actually is. You see, unlike cigarettes which contain nicotine which causes ...
The first thing you must do is realize what your addiction actually is. You see, unlike cigarettes which contain nicotine which causes a chemical addiction in your body that gives you physical cravings for a smoke pot has no such chemicals. The addiction most pot smokers have is what is labeled a mental addiction. This means that there is no chemical or physical need to go an smoke some Marijuana, it is instead simply something you have come to believe you need because it is comfortable and the high you get feels good and you do not want to let it go; this is a psychological need.
As was said, Marijuana is not chemically addictive so quitting comes down to willpower. Now this does not mean that if you feel the nee...
As was said, Marijuana is not chemically addictive so quitting comes down to willpower. Now this does not mean that if you feel the need to use pot again you have weak willpower as psychological addiction can be very strong in people especially those who have used weed for many years. It does however mean that it will come down to what you do and the support the people around you offer, there are no pot "patches".
Get rid of all your weed. Flush it down the toilet so you can’t just pull it out of the bin later, and destroy all your supplies. The...
Get rid of all your weed. Flush it down the toilet so you can’t just pull it out of the bin later, and destroy all your supplies. The more obstacles between you experiencing a craving, and actually sparking up, the easier it’ll be to quit.
Tell your friends and your family that you’re giving up. If they have no idea about your plans then they may just continue to smoke i...
Tell your friends and your family that you’re giving up. If they have no idea about your plans then they may just continue to smoke it around you, oblivious to the misery it causes you.
Withdrawal is temporary but still not particularly pleasant. When quitting cold turkey, it normally starts a day after you last smoked ...
Withdrawal is temporary but still not particularly pleasant. When quitting cold turkey, it normally starts a day after you last smoked and peaks after two or three days. Within the fortnight you should no longer be craving a joint.
you’ll likely have trouble sleeping, so avoid caffeine where possible. Your mood will probably be all over the place too, so make all...
you’ll likely have trouble sleeping, so avoid caffeine where possible. Your mood will probably be all over the place too, so make allowances and let everybody know what you’re going through so they’ll understand. You may also feel anxious and out of sorts – don’t let yourself get convinced that a joint will fix it!
Just stick with it! Within three weeks your habit should be well and truly broken, and you should be able to carry on with a healthy an...
Just stick with it! Within three weeks your habit should be well and truly broken, and you should be able to carry on with a healthy and productive, cannabis-free life.
Once you can accept that your addiction stems from a psychological need you can move to understand that need. Is smoking an escape from...
Once you can accept that your addiction stems from a psychological need you can move to understand that need. Is smoking an escape from a harsh reality? Is it simply a symptom of boredom? Is it because all your friends use pot too? The reasons we develop addictions are many and varied but understanding the core of it can allow you to set yourself free.
It is super important to maintain a good diet and exercise while trying to quit. This will make you feel good, keep you motivated, and ...
It is super important to maintain a good diet and exercise while trying to quit. This will make you feel good, keep you motivated, and keep your mind clear and focused towards your goal. Exercise also relieves anxiety, a psychological symptom you may experience while trying to quit. Having a proper diet and exercise will also give you better sleep, which is a huge factor in helping you to quit weed.
You are going to crave weed. You’re going to want it, desire it, feel like you even need it. But this is untrue, and you know it. The...
You are going to crave weed. You’re going to want it, desire it, feel like you even need it. But this is untrue, and you know it. The best thing to do when having these cravings is to divert your attention. Pick up a hobby, read a book, do anything that will distract your mind from weed. The more productive you are, the more you will accomplish, and the easier it will be to quit. After you do this for a couple of days, you won’t even be thinking about or desiring weed!
A piece of advice I have heard from smokers to other smokers who want to quit is to replace weed with cigarettes. This is a terrible id...
A piece of advice I have heard from smokers to other smokers who want to quit is to replace weed with cigarettes. This is a terrible idea and will not fix anything. All you’re doing is replacing one bad habit with another. This is just dumb. If you’re going to replace a habit, replace it with something constructive.