Having troubles... Trying to rationalize smoking again..

Well.... It's been like eight months since I decided to stop using marijuana ...I had a manic episode from a change in medicine or from weening myself of one med. cause It was hurting my liver... And now I am trying to rationalize that using marijuana wasn't that bad for me that it helped more than hurt...and it didn't help that I was reading a bipolar book that mentioned that it's like the same equivalence as using klonopin for anxiety and stress(That's in my own words or how I interpreted it)... I hate that I go back and forth about my use... ?? Any thoughts ?

Wow no responses ... Thought for sure some people could relate...surprised

I am very confused about my use. I have been clean and sober 19 years but a few years ago started with pot very infrequently again. I just did a job with a buddy and he is smoking it all day. I damn sure don't want to be like that. I have had a small amount that lasted nine months so far so I am in no way addicted.

Should I use it to treat symptoms is the dillema??? It doesn't work on depression. Anxiety has to be the exact right strain. Not sure about mania. I don't want to be a daily user and build tolerance and all that again.......

Understand where you are coming from...some of the issues I wrestle with is they say(meaning medical field) or at least some do.. That chronic or long time use can contribute to paranoia, psychosis and in some cases schizophrenia in some users...

I have experienced the paranoia, and psychosis to some extent .... But was it from not taking my meds regularly like I should have which resulted in a manic episode or was it from the years of use....who's to know not for sure.... I am now just trying to take a break and find some clarity for a while...and if I ever choose to start again.... I definitely have to weigh out the risk versus the reward. Per say... If that is even a healthy way to look at it.

I definitely had strong beliefs on the reasons I used...but it could have just been a very clouded judgment. .... Anybody else can chime in if they would like

You want to use. You know the downside. I doubt anything members say will have an impact. It is your decision to make.

I wish you well.

I am sure you rationalized your use if you were using a lot. That is what we do. I am not sure it causes psychosis. I guess it could if you are very predisposed to that. I have experienced paranoia quite a bit which is counterproductive to treating anxiety which is why I say it has to be the exact right strain.


In all honesty I think everyday use vs the benefits is not worth it if it is smoked. Maybe very small doses taken orally or with a vaporizer three or four times a week as needed for anxiety is the most I would ever do. As it is I go for many weeks without smoking and then I do so that is really a recreational thing.

Smoking is extremely hard on the lungs. Much worse than cigarettes I think. From an addicts point of view the smoking ritual is a part of the addiction. Which is why I say very small doses orally for medical use. I hear of people smoking one or two grams a day for medical which is way way too much unless you are getting chemo or something but not for psyche reasons.

I agree(somewhat) with you both.... More with the latter of the two.. I see your point glok, yes in some ways I do wanna use....in other ways I don't ....regardless it is very negative to say that "you doubt that anything a member will say will have a impact" By saying that you don't give much credit to the members or the idea of a support system.... Can it not just be that I was just looking for a little support and a reminder from people like me...that the bad out ways the good... I am in a sense just having some cravings from a old habit...due to the fact that I was a habitual user for a long time in my life. I am here looking for support instead of giving in to cravings I have/had. That in of itself should be a sign that I am trying to change my ways... Better now and more determined.. That smoking in not always the answer...

With 8 months abstinence why start again really. I doubt it was related to helping your bipolar. I think used in a proper way it can help with anxiety. With both of our histories it is to much risk but then so are benzo's.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You are right. With eight months behind me there should be no reason to start again... I guess the part of me that is a creature of habit wanted to ..there for a couple days...I am over it for now.. It concerns me that I was trying to rationalize at all that it is good for me in anyway. I guess I just have to keep myself busy...so I don't have time for them thoughts..taking it day by day..thanks for your support and insight.

Well the thoughts and cravings are natural. They go away. I haven't had any desire to drink in many years. That doesn't mean I don't desire to escape into a drug once in awhile.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I still do smoke it, and don't have any real plans of stopping...though sometimes I have questions in my mind about if it really helps with the things it seems to, what my exact reasoning is....like if its just become a habit so my mind rationalizes reasons for that...but cannot deny its helped panic attacks/anxiety on a couple of occasions when I've been really down its helped me not get sucked too far into that feeling.

I also do like the high, though so its not as though I have only ever used it to help anxiety or my mood, just noticed it did that after I started smoking it more regularly. But it can effect different people differently, and is not an entirely 'harmless' substance. It is ultimately up to you whether to stay away from it or not.

Pot was the hardest drug for me to get off, and I did everything but IV. I got to the point where I spent more a month on pot than on my mortgage. Woke up each day to a 9 am bong hit and ended the same way like clock work. People say oh it's not physically addictive but I don't care because I kicked coke. It was easier for me to kick alcohol and cigarettes combined than pot! What keeps me sober is in my state it's freaking illegal. I should have a hundred felonies at this point. I don't like psych wards so prison is probably not going to be my style.

But! For non addicts I absolutely believe medicinal pot is the safest most effective remedy. Big Pharma sucks and pills are way more damaging and have worse side effects. I always vote to legalize and will use when I can legally buy the kind where they block the THC. Or another words take all the fun out of it 😉

Well doing o.k. For the last couple days..the rationalizing has subsided.. I think the first two meeting with the new psychologist have helped..that ...and the continued effort to try to get some exercise.. Taking it a day at a time.

Glad to here you're doing ok. It gets better every day. I cut way back on caffeine and drank sleepy time tea with valerian root to take the edge off. Exercise is great and don't worry about how far/fast/vigorous the workout.

Don't think they have a kind that blocks the THC, but they have strains with very little THC and more CBD...CBD is the thing they think helps with epilepsy and it causes more body relaxation than a mental effect...though it would make one feel relaxed mentally.

Yes, Hellion. I believe they have one strain named after a child who had seizures. The year I voted pro it was 52 to 48% this year they didn't even get enough signatures to put it on the ballot it my state. I think we were 20k short, but the police made some Nazi statement about having these names on record.

It's back! I have been doing pretty good for a while now since I originally made this post. ...but the cravings for marijuana are back ...I think it could be due to..in the past... I would always smoke more when I quit smoking cigarettes. ..Let me be clear, I have not given in to those cravings and proud of it. Not to say it hasn't been easy at times.

... I think it might have to do with multiple situations in my life right now, but I think mainly it's from switching the amount of nicotine I get from the patches. I have not smoked any cigarettes in like 7 weeks now and just recently stepped down the dose to half of what it was originally(Following the instructions).... Can anyone relate... Having tough time right now.. Taking it hours and then days at a time....

I have never seriously tried to quit cigarettes. Sounds like nicotine withdrawal and not having that the stress reliever of smoking cigarettes is probably a big factor as you say.

Good for you for not giving in. Its hard sometimes. I think for me cigarettes would be the hardest.

I think I have decided not to smoke pot anymore even if it was very infrequent. See my above posts. I have not had any cravings though.

Have you read through the Smoking Cessation section? Lots of help there.

I have read through the smoking cessation section a little bit...it has helped some... But this post and vent was due to my craving marijuana again... I was a habitual user for a long time of my life... Like over 20 yrs... Just looking for people to relate and to find some support..

Good for you zinco... And thanks for your support...it helps!!

Make tea.

What type of tea?? ... Lol... Just playing... Needed to lighten my mood..

Sleepy time tea of course. We almost rolled that stuff up and smoked it in treatment but didn't go that far. Went through cases of it though. Chamomile tea

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk