Posted by JohnL on November 10, 1999, at 4:23:17
In reply to Drug abuse and depression, posted by tony on November 9, 1999, at 21:26:47
In addition to my meds, I've had a lot of counseling. It became evident that my entire life has been characterized by undiagnosed depression and attempts to self-medicate. Whether it was a quart of beer every evening, chronic marijuana abuse, trips to the moon on various other drugs, or whatever, I have always subconciously been motivated to escape my unrecognized condition. Now of course it is diagnosed and recognized. Only with the benefit of hindsight can we see that depression has always been there in my life, and that there have been numerous attempts at self-medication. My cigarette habit is strongly related I believe.Anyway, I've seen a lot of friends eventually end up in trouble with the law. Might take a year, might take a decade or two, but sooner or later everyone using street drugs will get in trouble. Just a matter of time. I decided I would rather be depressed and out of jail than depressed and in jail. At least outside of jail I can seek treatment with drugs that actually have a chance of fixing my depression and not just temporarily masking it.
poster:JohnL
thread:14907
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991108/msgs/14918.html