It would be unusual for my therapist to give advice such as this. And in terms of harmful behavior, if that is perceived to be the case here, my therapist would not show much interest. I don't like mind-altering substances much, but have other self-destructive behaviors...but he doesn't judge. We talk about them and understand the origin, process emotions, etc., but he would not say "vivo, I'm concerned because you drive too fast on the highway". He respects my autonomy. Come to think of it, my last T was the same way.

But a part of me WISHES he would be concerned about such things and try to be sort of the father I never had.

This is an interesting topic, so i want to add-I think weed is safer than many of the psychiatric drugs. And can be a lot easier to get and cheaper. Psychiatrists don't even take insurance in some cities, turning people away. How are these people supposed to get treated for mental illness?

And I would say even for those who could afford it, the side effects could be less and weed is much safer than many drugs. Antipsychotics are some that are way overprescribed for non-psychotic people, and research shows in much greater frequency for school-age, poor children. This is causing childhood obesity and diabetes or other long-term damage. Weed can be better than antipsychotics.

Something like only 30% of people benefit from antidepressants, so I wouldn't condemn people for seeking controlled substances or taking illegal drugs to self-medicate. Ativan, for example, is a cheap and effective drug that goes directly to the specific receptors targeted, unlike many anti depressants which are dirty drugs that just blast the brain with 'chemical activity' to see what sticks. So this drug can be much better for some to take as needed. Only a small percentage have addiction problems. And so many of the drugs just suck-they don't work! What is wrong with people seeking out non-regulating substances if they work better? Just because something is legal does not mean it is effective. Just look at the 'alternative' market for herbs and remedies.

Not only that, but in my experience many people needing psychiatric drugs come from abusive households-their parents just don't take them to a doctor, so they turn to illegal drugs to self medicate for mental health issues. I read a lot here about being taken to doctors and therapists as children or teenagers, but there are many of us whose parents did not take us to doctors either due to neglect or poverty, and self-medication is how children have adapted to cope with the world. It's a different world for some. Sorry, couldn't hold back.