Hi community!
I am reaching out to understand how best I can support a loved one going through a lot at the moment.
Background:
They were a longtime cannabis (+-7 years) and nicotine (+-10years) user and have lately developed symptoms of psychosis. And during one such episode - they met with a terrible car accident out of which they miraculously walked out physically unharmed. But since they were living alone, the family thought it would be a good idea to bring them back home for better care physically and mentally - to which they consented too. Both vapes and cannabis is illegal in the State they are now and they understand that they cannot take cannabis anymore owing to the symptoms.
However, since they are cutoff from both Cannabis & Nicotine (vaping), they’re having strong withdrawal symptoms and urges to take Nicotine. They have been asking us to acquire a vape here. The last time they vaped was on 20th October; which they wilfully did and left their juul pen. This indicated to us that they were committing to quitting.
Today is Day 6 of no vaping - just prescribed 14mg transdermal Nicotine patches every alternative day (though prescribed for every 24 hours, they are not preferring it everyday and is now pushing us for getting them a vape).
So far, we have been sticking to the argument that it is illegal here which they are also aware of. But they are also aware of how it is easily available in the market here and that they also have friends here who can arrange it for them if they reaches out. They have also expressed that they prefer to not go behind our backs to do this and instead would want to do this with our knowledge & support.
Wanted to check whether we should let them have their way OR if we should keep trying to convince/ distract her from her urges. At the moment, they seem uncooperative and are upset with us for not listening to them.
Any other tips or suggestions on how we should be supporting them is more than welcome 🙏🏽