Posted by ghost on May 4, 2004, at 21:38:43
In reply to Re: Meds and Marijuana- Am I OK? » Impermanence, posted by catmint on May 4, 2004, at 10:07:55
at the risk of getting into trouble, i want to reply to this post. most of this is just personal opinions and experience, so please take it with a grain of salt.
the major problem with pot is that it's such a psychological drug. it's not physically harmful in and of itself, but the psychological effects are intense. i think that some people shouldn't smoke it because of their predisposition for certain conditions (paranoia, ocd, bipolar, etc)-- sometimes pot just intensifies what is there naturally, which can be a dangerous combination.
i also think that for some people, pot is very beneficial. it is calming and soothing to those who are constantly hot-wired and running full throttle. it can improve the mood of a manic bipolar who is viscious and mean. it can soothe the side effects of some of the more potent psychotropics.
i smoked off and on during my undergraduate years, mostly as a recreational thing. when i moved far from home to go to graduate school, my mental illness(es) came to a head, things went really horribly for me. (they still are.) i started smoking pot more-- often it was an escape. i admit that. but very very frequently, it made me feel better. it slowed the thoughts in my head and suppressed the voices. it allowed me to focus and be productive. it improved my mood, so my suicidal thoughts dissipated when i smoked.
i've been clean for a few weeks now, because i hope to get a job with a company who does pre-emp. drug screenings. (well, that sounds funny. i hope to get a job with a company that *happens* to *do* screenings.) anyhow. ever since i've stopped smoking, the down-swing that's begun seems amplified. i have no means of escape, no way to improve my mood. i really think pot is beneficial to me, and i really notice its absence. i have every intention of smoking again once i am employed and free and clear with the drug screen.
however, i do maintain that pot is not for everyone. and if you recognize that it is making your situation worse, or causing you any kind of harm, then you should stop immediately and seek help if you need it. if pot triggers destructive behaviors, then it should be removed from the equation... take away the catalyst and the reaction won't occur at any kind of perceivable speed. (that's the chemist in me talking, heh.)
i wish you luck. i don't know how productive this post was. but i hope you can eliminate it from your life. is there any way you can substitute something for the pot? can you smoke cigarettes instead. (i know that's not any better, but...) eat ice cream? keep ativan on you at all times? leave yourself a note by your stash reminding yourself what happens when you smoke it?
do try to take care. look out for yourself.
poster:ghost
thread:342332
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20040409/msgs/343419.html