237. Bart | Mar-Anon

Mar-Anon is an important support group for people who have loved ones addicted to marijuana. Mar-Anon is based on the same concept of Al-Anon for alcohol. While AA and MA are for people with a substance use disorder, Al-Anon and Mar-Anon are for families.

In keeping with the anonymous aspect of the organization, I am just using Bart's first name.

Bart was a summer camp counselor, camp director and teacher, earning his Teaching credential from Chapman University.  After retiring from teaching he started volunteering with Mar-Anon, Every Brain Matters and other educational non-profits.  Bart used to think marijuana was harmless. “When I was smoking weed in my 20’s I used to say stuff like, “it’s just pot, it’s not a big deal.” Marijuana was a very big deal for his son, Kevin. Bart witnessed his son experience many episodes of Cannabis Induced Psychosis.  Kevin died by suicide in 2018 at 29 years old.  The last articulate words Bart heard him speak were, “Cannabis has ruined my life.”

Resources: 

Mar-Anon - for supportive meetings

Every Brain Matters - for facilitated meeting