Posted by Dunder on July 13, 2006, at 5:56:41
In reply to so, im smoking pot now..., posted by med_empowered on March 17, 2006, at 2:04:15
Hiya,
I have suffered depression for many years and for five years I smoked weed all day, everyday in order to self-medicate. It helped with anxiety, insomnia, low mood, mood swings, lack of appetite, self-confidence, etc. etc. HOWEVER, I found that with time my anxiety increased, my motivation dropped through the floor and all other aspects of my life seemed unimportant. Everything centered around weed and getting that hit. If I couldn't get hold of any weed I would panic, not be able to sleep, get very depressed and suffer painful withdrawals (yes, contrary to popular belief - high usage of weed gives nasty withdrawal symptoms that can last up to 2 or 3 weeks.) It was a gradual process that I only recognise now with the benefit of hindsight. Eventually, it took 1 year of intense drug counselling to break my dependency. Despite my experience I am not now against weed (I still have the odd joint if it's passed around - maybe every couple of months), I just think that users with pre-existing mental health problems should be aware that there is a fine line between self-medication and addiction/dependence and that once dependent it can be very difficult to give up.
Chris
poster:Dunder
thread:621223
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20060704/msgs/666613.html