Is pot harmful to ones recovery?

I never considered pot harmful to my recovery. But it's been soooo long since I smoked. I was offered a few hits by my sisters boyfriend the other day and I said maybe later because I feared it could start the whole party scene all over for me.

I just want to know what your opinion on pot is. Do you think it's just an herb that should be taxed and legalized like tobacco, or do you consider it another harmful addictive narcotic?

I can't smoke it because it's mind altering for me. So for me yes, I would harm my sobriety. I'd have to reset my sobriety date.

It's a mind altering substance. Maybe it would be a good idea to decide WHY you want your mind altered. Like, are you sad? Lonely? Hurting? And Why? Is there something else you can do to relieve the pain?

IMO pot is seriously risky for people with addiction problems.

I don't think pot is intrinsically bad. And neither is vodka, unless you are an alcoholic. Some people can easily limit what they drink. Some simply can't. If you fall into the last category, my advice is to abstain from all of these behaviors. Consider where that partying behavior lead you previously. The situation usually repeats itself, and often is worse - with even more use.

You may want to tell your friend that you simply don't like the way pot makes you feel, and leave it at that.

Take care of yourself.

emmy

Nicely worded Emily.

One addiction can lead you to another addiction.... or to think that your first one was not so bad after all - stay clear of this one.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

My first marriage failed (amongst other reasons) because of drug (starting with pot) abuse. This stuff terrifies me. Many people see it as harmless, I see it as dangerous, harmul AND addictive.

I think personally for me I'm sort of stuck in the middle, I will admit I have smoked alot of pot in my life. I think the way it has affected me was it all started out with some bud, then when I build a tolerance (and even a fearlessness to being high), I wanted more and something stronger. Ulitimately I do believe pot is a gate way drug and can lead to other drugs.

But when it comes to be being dangerous, or seriously addictive (comparably to cocaine, not coffee) I would disagree. I think it has it's natural tendencies and can be sort of a social experience.

Although I feel these ways I won't smoke anyway. To be honest it feels a little juvenile. It's kind of a thing I did as a kid, I feel I'm to old with to many responsibilities at this time in life. Like instead of spending 30 on a bag, I can get two boxes of diapers that last 2 weeks. So I think I'll stick to my better judgement on that one.

Thanks all for your opinions, I respect them all.

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desirae said:
Do you think it's just an herb that should be taxed and legalized like tobacco, or do you consider it another harmful addictive narcotic?

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It's funny that you should mention tobacco--it's both harmful and addictive, yet it's legal and taxed. Whether or not pot should be legalized or decriminilized is a huge question, but I wonder what it has to do with your recovery?

I think the reason I ask that is because it's difficult to put marijuana in it's place. I mean we all know that it's much less harmful compared to other substances including nicotine.

I don't know how harmful marajuana is to people physically, but it's costly and illegal.

I might risk purchasing and using this drug if I had large sums of money in my posession so I can afford to hire lawyers and make bail if necessary.

I assume that smoking large quantities of marajuana is probably not good for the lungs.

I know I need to stay away from marajuana. Whether it's better or worse than some other drugs, legal or illegal doesn't really matter to me. I need to prioritize what I spend what little money I have on.

It would certainly create much needed revenue for the government if it were legalized and taxed, but I don't know if this would be a good idea overall.

Are there marajuana-related vehicular accidents occuring often in the US? Might legalizing marajuana increase the numbers? How do most people react to marajuana? It would not suprise me if people would engage in more "risky" sexual behavior under the influence.

I do feel that people, in general, are not responsible enough to be permitted such easy access to psychoactive substances.

Would I be more healthy if I smoked marajuana instead of consuming alcohol over the years? I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not.

I think you should stay away from it, Desirae. It wouldn't hurt not to smoke, right?

considering here in the USA pot is illegal unless you have a doctors prescription I would say yes like any drug be it on the street or prescription pot can be harmful to a persons recovery.

the way I look at it is, would I give it to my kids if not then it ain't good.
would you allow someone smoking that crap to watch your kids, I don't think so. Pot does led to harder stuff, take it from someone thats been there done that.
Get high on loving your kids, it may drive ya nutz but it won't kill ya

((((desirae)))))) pot as I have seen is just a substitute for the alcohol...They both do the same thing to you.. They make you feel better, they loosen your inhibitions, etc.. the only reason pot will become legal is for medical purposes, never to be used recreatonally.. I see this happening with my SIL and his not having pot is just as bad as his not having the alcohol... Just say no as they say. Stay straight and I mean keep your head to your head not moved on by something pills, alcohol, or pot or anything else... I wish I could say more to you. I haven't had a chance to really meet you yet, but you sound level headed to me,,, stay that way and your life will be better than you can imagine. Linda

just wondering if you have read our replies Desirae; remember we care and I myself am not judging, I speak from experience

Yes yes absolutely....I seriously appreciate the response I've received through this thread. I think everybody has different opinions about marijuana, it's good to receive all opinions on each side whether you agree or disagree. I didn't want to say anything mainly because I was sitting back and just listening.

I think my view on marijuana and smoking marijuana is in the gray shaded areas between the black and white. There's apart of me that knows it can corrupt, it's costly, illegal, and can compromise your sobriety if your an addict or alcoholic. Then there's another part of me that has smoked pot and enjoyed it...to be completely honest. I don't think it's to harmful to the health, physically and emotionally, and I don't think the euphoric high you receive from it is negative with a down side and is addictive. Then again I also think that if you choose to smoke then you'd have to be responsible just as if it was alcohol and not drive or operate anything dangerous.

I tend to be stuck in the middle on this topic, but I am aware of what's most important to me and that's having 30 dollars to buy diapers and wipes for two babies instead of an eighth.

I'm not going to lie and say I will never ever smoke pot again because I most likely will someday. But there's much more important priorities in my life at this time so it's not even in consideration.

Thanks a lot for all of your replies. I respect and appreciate them all, they have been useful for me.

{{{{{{{{{{Desirae}}}}}}}}}}

When you feel comfortable to smoke it, we really don't believe pot will retard your recovery.
Of course the 12 stage program people will say it will, but that's their delusion.
It is waaay less addictive than alcohol or tobacco, both of which are legal.

Don't use it until you're sure you won't take it on to other drugs, but it's pretty harmless. And it never makes sense to place your sobriety on the grounds that you will never use anything again ever, that is way too much stress for anyone, & unecessary.

hey. i'd like to share my experience. i'm aware that others have different experiences, and that is fine and i respect that, but i'm still going to share my own experience.

in my experience pot has been extremely useful to me in my recovery. i think that different drugs affect different people differently. in my personal experience i have found benzo's like valium to be more detrimental to me with respect a pattern of tolerance and withdrawal than i have found pot to be. i find it ironic that benzo's are legal on a doctors prescription when pot is less addictive, has less negative withdrawal problems associated etc etc.

i find pot to be a useful mild seditive when my anxiety was getting out of hand. to be used prn rather than daily to be sure. or very small ammounts in the evening rather than benzo's for sleep (sleeping medications tend to be very addictive and to have nasty withdrawals that i personally never found to be the case with pot).

i have had times in my life when i used pot too much. to escape basically. one could indeed exchange one drug to numb the pain (ie alchohol) with another drug to numb the pain (ie benzo's or pot). or... one can use responsibly.

i think that part of it has to do with how one uses it... and another part of it has to do with how it affects ones body. the latter can influence the former... some drugs seem to 'click' in some way so you just want more and more and more of them. those ones are probably best avoided imo.

like... some people find with opiates. personally i don't find that with opiates and hence i am okay to use them very occasionally (for example four times per year) without experiencing cravings for more. amphetamines, on the other hand are a little 'too good' my body thinks and hence i need to be very careful indeed about recreational use as i do indeed experience intense cravings as a result of recreational use (though i have learned to manage these).

regarding the health issues...
vapourisers are worth the price (you can get good ones off the internet). they purify the THC and the nasties are filtered out completely.
you can of course eat it as well... and bongs (filtering it through water) helps purify it some as well.
regarding the illegality...
helpful to remember that there are places in the world in which it is not illegal (and also places where it is not considered a criminal offence). maybe... those places have a population which responds better to the drug? ;-)

or maybe... other countries don't have a cotton industry to defend from a hemp industry... and other countries aren't so governed by religious fundamentalist concerns...

;-)

special_k

We also have found benzos more dangerous to our recovery.

I agree on some aspects of what you're saying. When I was coming down off of pills and alcohol I smoked pot to cut the edge and it did help a lot physically and mentally. But then again, after detox and suffering, pot became my haven and I started smoking it like a crazy woman....everyday all day. It was like I needed it in order to stay off the beans and booze, and all I really wanted was to be clean.....real clean. I was on probation at the time as well and was afraid to %#@&#! dirty too.

I have smoked pot some I've posted this and damn if I don't regret it because I was just drug tested for pre employment to Wal Mart......by some miracle and tons tons of water I passed, but still I hated that it was a huge risk.

IDK.....some times on occasions it's fun, but mostly it's just not worth the hassle anymore.

des didn't you say your sister's bf is in the military? I hope he doesn't get caught!! I am praying for your sister and her baby and you on this whole situation. I personally would not want to jeopardize sobriety. I use to smoke alot of pot myself and sometimes wouldn't mind it again but I just won't do it anymore...good luck hon