Has cannabis addiction helped swim?

[radagast]

I have been trying to think how to put this into words for drugs forum for a while so here goes.

Swim is a big pot smoker and he has a theory it goes along the lines of this

because swim has a massive phsychological love affair with pot and has had for many many years he has avoided addiction to other substances because pot is his biggest priority for example

If swim has no drugs at all but he has £xx he goes to a dealer, the dealer has pot speed crack or H in varying amounts in line with how much money swim has. Swim naturally picks the pot because pot is his crutch also he wouldnt do the others without pot anyway.

Swim had a big problem with gambling in casinos and arcades years ago and stopped simply because it was starting to affect his pot intake.

Swim has 2 pills in his wallet but he wont do them cos its dry and he cant get any pot to smoke i.e. its bad enough going without pot without being pilled up with no pot.

swim has an addictive personality.
while swim knows smoking pot isnt all that healthy he sees it as if it has stopped other things really getting hold.
Does swiy have a special favourite above all else, a crutch, a best friend or an unbreakable bond with a certain drug.


Please feel free to tell me swiyour positive influence drug wise.I might post a poll along the same lines if theres any interest

[Forthesevenlakes]

Most serious drug addictions demand so much time and money that its difficult to nurse another addiction of some type at the same time. SWIM doesn't feel comfortable saying this is a good thing for all people, however. But if SWIY feels that his drug use has had a positive effect on his life, then that's great. How, exactly, is SWIY "addicted" to pot though? SWIM is sometimes wary of people who say they are addicted to marijuana (in the same way he's wary of people who say they are addicted to coffee).

[radagast]

Originally Posted by Forthesevenlakes

How, exactly, is SWIY "addicted" to pot though? SWIM is sometimes wary of people who say they are addicted to marijuana (in the same way he's wary of people who say they are addicted to coffee).

maybe "love affair" would have been a more appropriate use. im not trying to run down proper addictions ie cold turkey and such
but swim even at the end of a week long crack binge would choose pot not more rocks with his last £20 every time

[Bajeda]

Originally Posted by Forthesevenlakes

Most serious drug addictions demand so much time and money that its difficult to nurse another addiction of some type at the same time. SWIM doesn't feel comfortable saying this is a good thing for all people, however. But if SWIY feels that his drug use has had a positive effect on his life, then that's great. How, exactly, is SWIY "addicted" to pot though? SWIM is sometimes wary of people who say they are addicted to marijuana (in the same way he's wary of people who say they are addicted to coffee).

Swim used to be somewhat skeptical of people who say they are addicted to marijuana, but now understands them more. While swim still doesn't get any negative acute side effects that make him want to stop, sometimes he feels he could be benefited by cutting back to a more moderate level. He has been smoking daily for a number of years now and its become such a part of his life he finds it to be a pain to stop. Its definitely a form of addiction, especially for swim and his addictive personality, but it isn't too strong for the most part. You just need to concentrate on stopping smoking. Changing locales helps immensely with this.

Coffee is far more addictive than cannabis due to the caffeine. You can actually develop nasty addictions to both coffee and caffeine. For many people (especially at university) its akin to a cannabis type addiction, just get out of the routine and deal with it and you're fine. For others it can be a very nasty and though to get out of addiction that causes much pain and anxiety. You can probably find info on it online. Swim definitely knows some people who developed nasty coffee and caffeine pill addictions.

[AntiAimer]

Yup, Marijuana has helped alot. Not only does it keep Smurf away from harder drugs(Most the time) but it has made him a better person. It has made him more open minded and alittle more mellow. Not so angry about life and he rarely gets headaches anymore nor has he really even been sick. When Smurf was little, headaches were his biggest enemy. Getting massive migraines, that made it so he was useless. Throwing up, not being able to function. You name it, Smurf has tryed to take it for headaches(OTC wise) nothing worked.

But since Smurf started useing THC and other cannabinoids, this is not a probem anymore. Also he's not so mad and just take's things easy. Stress is something no one wants and can kill you. While it seems other people argue over anything and let things get to them severely, Smurf does not. He dosen't see a need to, it never solves anything and only makes things worse. The only negative part would be, paying for it and it's illegel. Other then that, there has been no known side effects to him. Dosen't cough more nor cough up lungs, his IQ hasn't dropped, people around him enjoy him more, no paranoia, isn't more lazy then before, saves his body from extreme damage from oher drugs, etc.

Is it a addiction? Maybe psychological, but as with anything that make's you feel good. From Synthetic perscription drugs to OTC drugs(Whether you need them or not), if it HELPS you, meaning not just getting high, then I see no problem with it.

Reputation Comments on this post:

agreed pot + contentment

[old hippie 56]

In NORML newsletter today, there is a report on using THC in cocaine addiction therapy. Success rate for completion is higher for moderate users. When swim was having a bad time getting off meth, a little weed always helped to take the edge off.

[Forthesevenlakes]

There are many people who would say that drug use (oftentimes marijuana use) has given positive things to their life. I say more power to them. Whats interesing though is that the OP chose to phrase the positive aspects of marijuana in what it makes them NOT do, rather than what it makes them do.

Envision SWIY's life withour marijuana. Would SWIY still be gambling, or addicted to a harder drug? Or are there other possibilities outside that?

Reputation Comments on this post:

challenging thoughts, making me think

[Nature Boy]

SWIM can relate to some of the feelings expressed in this thread. He too is a daily (most days anyway) pot smoker and finds that smoking pot is of great benefit in ways. As an antidepressant (perhaps that term is a bit of an overstatement seeing as SWIM rarely got depressed before using pot anyway) and definitely as a mood enhancer, cannabis works. It boosts his appetite and helps him sleep. SWIM doesn't need to smoke cannabis but he enjoys it so he has no reason to not smoke. As a great man once sang:

"I know what I like, and I like what I do."

[Forthesevenlakes]

Originally Posted by Nature Boy

As an antidepressant (perhaps that term is a bit of an overstatement seeing as SWIM rarely got depressed before using pot anyway) and definitely as a mood enhancer, cannabis works.

SWIM knows a few lab rats with bipolar who smoke. Marijuana seems to prevent them from going into both manic and depressive episodes, interestingly. This is, in fact, superior to conventional antidepressants in the sense that most medications do not prevent mania (with the exception of lithium).

This thread brings up some good points and makes some good statements about marijuana, however I'm not entirely sure it belongs in the recovery and addiction forum.

[Forthesevenlakes]

Both of these addictions certainly can exist, SWIM does not doubt that for a second. He's seen plenty of evidence for the caffeine cases especially, and works with individuals who meet DSM-IV criteria for cannabis. SWIM's point was more that the term "addiction" is often overused by many when pertaining to these substances, hence SWIM's wariness when people state that they are addicted to cannabis or caffeine.

[Nicaine]

SWIM never did like cannabis that much, but his brother was addicted ('psychologically' of course) for years. Didn't seem to do him much good, ate his money & he was restless as hell, touchy and quick to anger before smoking (became friendly & talkative afterward).

SWIM doesn't think being addicted to *anything* is good. That includes food, sex, even exercise.

[snapper]

Depends on who you are. For some, cannabis is a panacea and makes them functional. For others, it is a waste of time, or even a liability. SWIM has accomplished more than most in SWIM's life, and SWIM has used cannabis daily for over 30 years now (!). Without it, SWIM becomes a basket case. SWIM can stop, but SWIMs mental state becomes progressively worse as time goes by, though interestingly, cravings are minimal (the same applied to GHB for SWIM when SWIM quit). SWIM knows many who hate the stuff and wouldn't use it if someone paid them to. YMMV.. and addictions are not necessarily destructive things. After all, SWIM is addicted to looking both ways before crossing the street. Quitting that habit might get SWIM killed. Regular use of any drug is the same - it can be helpful, like a bipolar being addicted to lithium, or destructive, like a 50lb crackhead whoring for rock.

[Alfa]

SWIM has been a heavy White Widow and potent hashish smoker(both probably 22% THC and up) for some years. He found it pretty tough to quit as he enjoyed cannabis a lot and got used to the mental state. Took him a few months to quit cannabis, with a few relapses. Until that time SWIM did not believe in cannabis addiction. The upside of quitting cannabis was a definate upsurge of energy. The use of cannabis has certainly had a negative effect on his study results and SWIM had to take a longer road, because of that.

Meanwhile I have seen a lot of friends who use cannabis on a daily basis, who are unable to stop using cannabis. Many of them use cannabis as self medication against ADHD/ADD, agression or other character aspect they do not want to deal with. The problem that often occurs when they stop is the issues that are surpressed by cannabis use, arise after the user quits.

Not long ago a friend of SWIM had the unfortunate situation where he went to jail for a month for traffic tickets. As a heavy smoker of top notch Dutch weed for a few decades, this was a major change of reality. He said it was like he was hit with a brick on the head. During the following weeks SWIM was amazed to see his friend turn back into the person he once knew. Much clearer in thought, purposefull and energetic. SWIM's friend decided to quit cannabis and pursue his goals. 1st day in the free world, included the delight of smoking a joint and he has not quit again.

There are many examples like this.

In several coffeeshops, they have a points system. Spacemiles and alike. This way smokers can safe up for presents or extra weed. They can also see how much they have bought in a year. Most do not want to know this as it's quite a fortune.

[Bajeda]

Originally Posted by Alfa

SWIM has been a heavy White Widow and potent hashish smoker(both probably 22% THC and up) for some years. He found it pretty tough to quit as he enjoyed cannabis a lot and got used to the mental state. Took him a few months to quit cannabis, with a few relapses. Until that time SWIM did not believe in cannabis addiction. The upside of quitting cannabis was a definate upsurge of energy. The use of cannabis has certainly had a negative effect on his study results and SWIM had to take a longer road, because of that.

Swim finds that being in the US has made it easier to cut down on his cannabis use, and he may just quit entirely (aside from special occaisions of course) in the near future. In the Middle-East swim got excellent quality Pakistani, Afghani, and Lebanese hashish which spoilt him. Now back in the US swim can get decent quality weed but nothing like the hashish he used to get, so he is quickly losing his love of smoking as it just isn't quite the same.

Swim doesn't think too negatively of cannabis in general, he would like to be able to simply purchase some nice hashish every so often to sit back and chill with friends and socialize with. However, daily smoking has definitely taken a toll on swim, and sometimes he thinks how much further he would be if he hadn't developed such a consistent habit . It has effected swim's academic performance and as that becomes more and more important to swim his desire to smoke goes down bit by bit.

[Darksanity]

SWIM's cannabis habit is bad for his college marks!! But it's not his fault he has way too much stress to handle (he would probably suffer intense insomnia without the magical grass)...

[tonymontana]

swim has a drugtest coming up for a new job, and swim is also a musician. swim hasnt smoked in weeks and swim has also lost all his will to write tunes. swim makes electronic music and swim realizes that nothing can help a good step write sessions monotony like a bowl of the sticky icks. swim is angry. swim is scared. swim is substituting with alcohol. swim wakes up with a headache every morning. pray for swim.