[bozie]

Been refused treatment for ptsd becauae apparently im addicted to cannabis. Im not sure how that works as cannabis no matter what you believe about it is in no way addictive for 1 and 2nd I use it as a medical treatment to assist in sleep with out flashbacks, rid my mind of thoughts of what happened and to eliminate anxiety.

Is it right my treatment has been refused under these conditions

[Altered Moment]

I do not believe so. I think it is unethical.

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[bozie]

That is what i believe as well

[splitimage]

It's actually pretty common for psych professionals to not want to treat or even diagnose people who are using mood altering substances which cannabis is. They need to know what your mental status is, unclouded by drugs or excessive alcohol.

I'm not going to debate with you, the addictive properties of cannabis, except to say that I believe it is both physiologically and psychologically addictive.

Unfortunately concurrent disorders are far too common, but the medical / rehab systems aren't set up to treat them together. There's slow change coming, but the rate of change is glacial.

What you experienced is the flip side of what I experienced when I first went to rehab for alcohol dependence. The rehab took me off several of my psych meds, because they were addictive according to them, and I couldn't possibly have the Dx I'd been given by my perfectly competent psychiatrist.

If you really want treatment for PTSD, then why not give up the weed for a little bit to get it.

splitimage

[bozie]

I gave it up for 3 years and kept trying to kill myself. So I'm sorry but i love life and my kids too much to let go of the one thing that is keeping me alive.

I do not drink alcohol
I do not take any other drugs
I do not take any other medication
I can pick and choose my days to medicate its not a must or need.

[Altered Moment]

My first pdoc only agreed to treat me if I got clean and sober which I did. I was an obvious alcoholic/addict and I knew it. The thinking at that time was the addiction had to be treated first. I believe now the thinking is that those of us with dual diagnosis should be treated concurrently. Actually I did receive treatment for both at the same time but he set the condition that I get clean for him to continue to treat me.

I am afraid most professionals will view you as an addict and not buy into weeds medical use. For psyche reasons I think it is only good for anxiety and sleep and not depression. For anxiety it has to be the right strain for me. I have experimented enough to know for me and decided it was not helpful enough. My klonopin works much better for anxiety but it is way more addictive. I didn't want to become a chronic pot user again and some strains make me paranoid. That's just me and I am a recovering addict.

If I were you I would lie about my use to a T or pdoc. Unless your being drug tested for some reason but I have never heard of a pdoc doing that. Who are they to say that weed is any less safe and effective than benzo's or SSRI's. Psyche meds don't have a great record. If you were doing meth or were an alcoholic I would feel differently.

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[FrozenYogurt]

I agree with Zinco, that seems very unethical. Especially since cannabis is commonly used to treat PTSD. I don't live in a state where it's legal or medically available, but I know several people who truly benefit from the medicinal effects of cannabis. I know a 50-something war veteran who smokes heavily. He also has a PTSD dog. Anyway, that's ridiculous that you were refused treatment because you smoke cannabis, especially in this day and age. My pdoc knows and secretly encourages my use. If anything, quit smoking for a little bit so you'll get the treatment you need. Or don't, and lie. Either way, you're in the right. Good luck!

[bozie]

I've just calculated my consumption at an average of 0.175g a day.

[FrozenYogurt]

Originally Posted by bozie

I've just calculated my consumption at an average of 0.175g a day.

That is a very small amount. I don't know how anyone could call that an addiction, frankly.

[bozie]

You see why im angry at their insinuations

[Altered Moment]

That means an 1/8 would last you 20 days. I would consider an 1/8 in 7 days pretty heavy use. 20 days maybe moderate use. If you are using as a med moderate use would be ok I think.

I am still having a little bit of a debate within as to whether if I could find an exact strain that would control my anxiety would I be better off than taking klonopin. Klonopin has some big draw backs that weed doesn't. If I went that route I would get a medical card and I think use a vaporizer or take orally. I have never taken it orally but I think it has different effects that way. The biggest problem is the damage to lungs with smoking.

[bozie]

Yeah my use is minimal I use what I need and that is it, Basically like i got it from the doctor.
Round here it's pot luck with what you get, would love for regulation, at least then I can get the correct strain rather than hoping.

Smoking has always been my down fall, i would prefer to use edibles but to make it cost effective would mean buying larger amounts to make it into stuff to eat.

[Altered Moment]

Originally Posted by bozie

Yeah my use is minimal I use what I need and that is it, Basically like i got it from the doctor.
Round here it's pot luck with what you get, would love for regulation, at least then I can get the correct strain rather than hoping.

Smoking has always been my down fall, i would prefer to use edibles but to make it cost effective would mean buying larger amounts to make it into stuff to eat.

I wonder about a vaporizer.....

[emmababy]

Was using a vaporizer and they are ok, but I don't smoke. Even the vapor makes me cough. You can adjust the temp so it is very low. I find that the vaporizer is pretty economical and just uses a little bit of pot since you are basically steaming it, not lighting it up. The vaporizer I got was $250 but there are some that cost less. They are adjustable from 1-7, 7 being the highest and hottest. I would start out at 1 then gradually up the level to where you are comfortable...hope this helps.

[emmababy]

Originally Posted by bozie

Been refused treatment for ptsd becauae apparently im addicted to cannabis. Im not sure how that works as cannabis no matter what you believe about it is in no way addictive for 1 and 2nd I use it as a medical treatment to assist in sleep with out flashbacks, rid my mind of thoughts of what happened and to eliminate anxiety.

Is it right my treatment has been refused under these conditions

ABSOLUTELY NOT!! You should not have been refused treatment. You cannot be addicted to cannabis. Can they prove you are? What happens when you don't use it? Do you have cravings for it? I know someone very well who has used cannabis for about 40 years and they are not addicted. How do I know? Because this person can stop whenever they want with no problems for long periods of time (months). I'd like to see anyone on a LEGAL anti anxiety drug or mental health drug say the same. So if you were hooked on some horrible drug that is approved by the lovely FDA, that would be ok? This is wrong on so many, many levels.

[AncientMelody]

That does sound unethical. Even if they didn't feel qualified to treat you based on concurrent marijuana usage they should have referred you to a professional who could help you. Best of luck to you

You cannot be addicted to cannabis

False

[bozie]

Ancientmelody im confused. Im currently in my 19th year of cannabis use and im not addicted to it. As in I can choose if I have a spliff from one day to the next. I do not and never have had a need to take it.

Im sorry but it is not addictive even in the slightest.

[AncientMelody]

It is not addictive for you personally. It is not one of the more highly addictive substances to be sure. But there are people out there who have developed an addiction to it. I didn't say YOU were, merely that people can be

[bozie]

Ok maybe so, but I am yet to even meet one myself. If anything it would be a psychological addiction not a physical addiction. Which on that can not truly be called an addiction as it would be a personal choice to continue the habit.

[mountain human]

I was a pothead for years...made my depression worse and worse...finally I quit and become a raging alcoholic for years...went to rehab and haven't touched anything for years...addictive personality anyone?

[Altered Moment]

Pot head for years, addictive personality, yup. Was I addicted to pot? Yes.

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