Marijuana maintenance : acceptable way out or just another addiction?

[StuckinLA]

Marijuana maintenance : acceptable way out or just another addiction?

Wow this thread has been busy this morning. Like you, Greg, I am looking to pot as a kind of substitute. There are nights where - even after a few months of abstinence from alcohol - I just don't want to be in my sober head and want something to take the edge off. I got a medical card for that purpose and after a couple of tries, have been ok with getting high now and again. I used to smoke every night before bed in high school, but pretty much gave it up when I found alcohol. Even when I have a very mild strain of weed that doesn't make me too paranoid or anxious, I find that I simply much prefer being drunk to high, and when I am high being around other people or going anywhere is just not an option.

This last time around I think smoking may have put me in a mindset where it actually helped me go back to booze, but not sure. Still, the question is what works for you, and you didn't mention I don't think how you're using pot? 24/7? At night to help get to sleep? Do you feel pot is adversely affecting you on a daily basis? I personally see nothing wrong with a few hits to veg out and watch some tv and get to sleep. It's only if it gets to a point where you need to be high to enjoy anything at all that it's really a problem. That - anhedonia - is scary shit but maybe I've just read Infinite Jest one too many times.

[Fred_The_Cat]

Marijuana maintenance : acceptable way out or just another addiction?

YouKayBee;1684520 wrote:

End of the day no drug is better than any other - I've even heard top Drs explain that heroine in it's purest form does the body no harm whatsoever!

Life is hard, so is using drugs!

The heroin thing is actually right- it's as addictive al hell, it has a very real risk of overdose but it doesn't actually damage the body. The crap it's cut with (milk sugar, brick dust) does.

[StuckinLA]

Marijuana maintenance : acceptable way out or just another addiction?

Oh and also, the mental illness thing is tricky. And yes, there was a study that linked cannabis use with earlier onset of schizophrenic symptoms. But there was also a review of that study that questioned the methodology and assumptions. In other words, it may be that schizophrenics are just more likely to turn to cannabis rather than cannabis causing the mental illness, and that's why the original study found the results that it did.

[YouKayBee]

Marijuana maintenance : acceptable way out or just another addiction?

StuckinLA;1684532 wrote: Oh and also, the mental illness thing is tricky. And yes, there was a study that linked cannabis use with earlier onset of schizophrenic symptoms. But there was also a review of that study that questioned the methodology and assumptions. In other words, it may be that schizophrenics are just more likely to turn to cannabis rather than cannabis causing the mental illness, and that's why the original study found the results that it did.

I think it depends on the individual.

I can also identify with Stuck re wanting something to take the edge off, I've had loads of those times since I went AF, but to me it's all too dangerous, in the past use of a drug only once led me back to booze, and of course the legal issues I can't afford to have. Alcohol and drugs both scare me witless, I'm just not prepared to risk going back there so I have to get through it without and it's hard, but I know I really do not want it. I don't even smoke tobacco. I do have exercise but that's only 1 hour each day!

[YouKayBee]

Marijuana maintenance : acceptable way out or just another addiction?

I think I want to say that I feel really strongly on this topic and am sorry if I come across as judgmental, I've had a series of experience some were good but the bad ones enough to scare me to death - I'm also in a position where I can't afford to have illegal substances near or in me(I will be getting randomly drug tested in the future and I currently have my background checked to a high level to make sure I'm squeaky clean). I also got pretty fed up of being in an altered state and what it brought so I avoid even anti-depressants or anything else which may affect how I feel, even if beneficial.

Sorry for the hijack!

[Fred_The_Cat]

Marijuana maintenance : acceptable way out or just another addiction?

StuckinLA;1684532 wrote: Oh and also, the mental illness thing is tricky. And yes, there was a study that linked cannabis use with earlier onset of schizophrenic symptoms. But there was also a review of that study that questioned the methodology and assumptions. In other words, it may be that schizophrenics are just more likely to turn to cannabis rather than cannabis causing the mental illness, and that's why the original study found the results that it did.

I think I remember that from my days as a psych major- basically it can set someone off who is predisposed to psychosis if I remember correctly.

That probably had a lot to do with why I was eventually prescribed abilify- what I felt as anxiety came across as outright paranoia to them, even though I had not touched pot for 5 years at that time. (Or maybe they were trying to construe my symptoms in a such a way as not to prescribe an anxiolytic.)

I know of one guy who pot absolutely ruined. It started when his dad started smoking with him when he was 15 and he went downhill really fast. As for me, it gave me crazy anxiety and depression. A guy who quit around the same time I did took a toke or two about 3 years ago and it threw him into the most insane anxiety attack.

Whether people can handle it or not seems really clearcut. I actually miss it sometimes but, like YouKayBee I work in a squeaky clean industry and that would seriously haunt me.

[Greg]

Marijuana maintenance : acceptable way out or just another addiction?

I'd like to say hi to everyone who responded, and thanks very much for your opinions.

My use of pot has been 2-3 cones per night, at the time when I used to drink. I don't use it during the day. I also take Antabuse, only a quarter of a pill a day but that's enough to prevent me drinking. Occasionally I lapse and don't take it, which is when I end up drinking again for a few nights once the Antabuse has worn off (takes days to wear off even at my low dose).

I admit I have been concerned about the possible link between pot use and mental problems, and pot MAY be giving me some extra anxiety that I don't need (usually the day after use). I also get "pot fog" some mornings, which is basically a pot hangover. On the other hand I am in far better shape and able to live a better life on pot than on alcohol. I used to spend every day in a hangover and sobering up, and I only had a 3-hour "window" period each day (5-8 PM) when there was no alcohol in me.

I do hope to give the pot away sooner or later though, and it would be good to know I'm not relying on anything. I need to find alternative night activities to do this, which is hard where I live because there isn't much on at night apart from TV and AA meetings.

By the way, pot is sort-of legal in some states of Australia, decriminalized is more the term for it. In the ACT and South Australia I think you are allowed to possess a small amount for personal use and grow a couple of plants. In other states it's still fully illegal but you will often get a caution or fine for small amounts.