Alcohol as medication?

[Caper]

As a resident of Massachusetts, I first want to note that the voters here have just approved marijuana for medicinal purposes. That being said.... what are your thoughts about the possible benefits of alcohol for the same purpose; to alleviate physical pain?

[paulywogg]

Alcohol as medication?

hi caper,too risky,alcohol does way more damage to the body than m.j,plus the tolerance level goes up over time no matter what

[Caper]

Alcohol as medication?

Thanks for responding, Paulywogg... but I have to differ. Where I agree with you that alcohol does more damage to the body than MJ, most think that MJ is a "gateway" drug to other, more devastating drug use.

[kuya]

Alcohol as medication?

Caper;1408736 wrote: Thanks for responding, Paulywogg... but I have to differ. Where I agree with you that alcohol does more damage to the body than MJ, most think that MJ is a "gateway" drug to other, more devastating drug use.

I disagree, and I think cigarettes are and have always been the gateway drug.

MJ actually uses a different pathway to pleasure than all the other drugs and that is why it's use cannot be moderated using a GABA blocker like naltrexone.

So many drinkers smoke or have smoked. It is interesting to see in my daughter's peer group of 13 year olds that smoking is out of fashion EXCEPT with those that are already contemplating drinking. My daughter desires neither ATM, thank goodness

[Alcoholic]

Alcohol as medication?

Caper:

Yes, I have heard some people believe that applying rubbing alcohol over muscle or joint pains can relieve aches and pains w side effects of irritation to skin.

[Caper]

Alcohol as medication?

Alcoholic.. please.. looking for genuine responses only.

[Greg]

Alcohol as medication?

I haven't found that alcohol has a pain reducing effect, except maybe once someone is so drunk that they aren't able to notice pain or much else. It was probably used for pain relief in the past when more modern anaesthetics were not available, but that's about all I can think of. Maybe there is something I am missing here?

As for marijuana being a gateway drug, yes it probably has been that for some people, but then so could alcohol be in many other cases (and cigarettes, as already mentioned). One aspect of marijuana use that could lead to harder drug use is its continued illegality in most parts of the world, which could lead users to have contact with hard drug users and sellers as part of their efforts to obtain pot. I have used pot and not found any impulse to use anything harder, and a mate who has been a marijuana smoker for nearly 30 years does not touch harder stuff.

I'd say it's pretty much an individual thing, not an automatic path of progression to hard drugs. If someone has reasons for wanting to use hard drugs, they may well do so regardless of their experiences with other substances.

[cpn1004]

Alcohol as medication?

Alcohol is a pretty lousy drug.

[kuya]

Alcohol as medication?

As Greg said the problem with MJ is it exposes the user to sellers of other drugs. That is why I DEEPLY believe it should be legalized . I don't like the effect it has on motivation BUT I have yet to hear of violence committed by those high on it or even theft to obtain it, unlike many other drugs,plus you can't overdose.

The more I talk about it, the more I want some! :H:H:H

[Raven2012]

Alcohol as medication?

I have to say that alcohol deserves a place as a legitimate medication. In wartimes, it was used as a painkiller and sedative. Now, granted, we have many superior medications now, but the fact is they are not over the counter. Many people use "a drink" as a way to calm down after a bad episode and don't suffer negative results. Many people have an injury and have "a drink" as a way to ease the pain of a broken limb before an ambulence comes. We can't deny this to people who are not alcoholics. Ibuprofin is a great pain killer but it doesn't conquer the fear/agitation aspect. I know many people will disagree with me on this but I think that intelligent reasonable people need to know their own boundaries

[Alcoholic]

Alcohol as medication?

Alcohol acts more a sedative than as an analgesic.

[Kradle123]

Alcohol as medication?

Dulls emotional pain. But that of course is only temporary...

[Lavande]

Alcohol as medication?

I agree Kradle!

I certainly did use AL to soothe emotional pain while having no idea that it would turn into such a crutch.
But i am living proof that you can kick AL out of your life provided you find some healthier alternatives. I latched onto some interesting reading & meditation. Substitute 'enlightenment' & positive energy for AL & you've got it made

[RunningCourage]

Alcohol as medication?

Lavande;1408975 wrote: I agree Kradle!

I certainly did use AL to soothe emotional pain while having no idea that it would turn into such a crutch.
But i am living proof that you can kick AL out of your life provided you find some healthier alternatives. I latched onto some interesting reading & meditation. Substitute 'enlightenment' & positive energy for AL & you've got it made

Speaking of which - at the very time your wrote that i just bought ChiRunning on Amazon!!

[Raven2012]

Alcohol as medication?

My post may have seemed odd to some but I know that many are adverse to traditional medicine. I can't tell you how many of my friends have a fear of medicine and will embrace homeopathic remedies (which are not always regulated by the FDA) but will shun RX drugs. So when someone is clearly suffering from panic, I'd rather given them a glass of wine, because they won't take a pill (and I don't know or trust anything else out there) and I know that it will calm them down. For a lot of people who don't have alcohol problems it's a legal, reliable remedy for anxiety. We don't have many other legal, acceptable options right now. Until the FDA sanctions these "herbal" remedies, a glass of wine it is.

If your in a situation where your friend is anxious and your in an enclosed area, you can't take them out for a run! I've had my dear friends from Berkeley and Santa Cruz with me in these situations and the only thing you can recommend is that they drink a glass of wine. I've seen the personal anxiety on these girls faces but what can I do? Social anxiety is best taken care of with an rx but the Berkeley way is shun those types of things. So to suggest that might be an insult. So you just let it be!