Partical Hospitalization is NOT what I expected

So anyway, my T said she's call today so we could reconnect and make an appt. She never called. This is so conflicting and hard for me.'

So, I went in today to find out I am in a Dual diagnosis group. The reason is because I also smoke pot daily. I have no problem with the group, but it's a lot of maybe 18-30 year olds. I am 42. They are in there for heroin, opiates, you name it.

One of the things is that they are horribly boring. Another thing is I've smoked all my life and I have no problem with it. Its not causeing any problems in my life. I do understand that to totally heal, I need to address this problem. My main problem is my depression. I got it coming from everywhere and I really dont have enough motivation to tackle my weed problem right now. Plus the first thing they talk about in group is how weed is the worst drug in the world. Talk about cramping my style.

I need relief from my depression. I told the nurse this morning when I saw her. She said they could see about transfering me to an all mental health group. I will mention this when I get there tomorrow. On the upside, I did get to paint a little and do a puzzle.

Thanks for all your support,
Amy

I say this gently.....smoking pot is not helping your depression, it is making it worse. It just does, no matter that you feel differently. I did the same thing with alcohol, drinking "socially" daily sometimes getting drunk. It made my depressions so much worse. I don't believe pot is as bad as opiates and hallucinogens. But does it have to be that bad? Smoking cigarettes are no good, drinking is bad for your mental health, and smoking pot certainly is. Plus smoking pot is ruining your lungs just as if you were smoking cigarettes.

That being said,

You're right in that you can only tackle one problem at a time. If you tackle the pot first, it makes it easier to deal with the depression. Right now you are just shooting yourself in the foot. Give the group a chance, and see if it helps in even the tiniest way.

I say this as someone who has had issues with substances, primarily alcohol. Now I am an alcohol and drug counselor. And I am the healthiest mentally I have ever been. I wish you all the best, however it works out for you, and whatever you decide to do. I hope you haven't been offended. That is not my intention, I just wanted to give you a different perspective. Something to think about.

I do understand that the pot isn't good. I need to deal with my therapist abandoning me first. I need to work that out. Then I need to work on the feelings a years worth of therapy has brought up. Then I feel I can work on my drug problem. Of course, I will do my best to abstane while in the program.

I guess my biggest problem is having the therapists talking to teenagers. Its how I talk to teenagers. It doesn't register in my mind.

I am going to do my best to get the most out of this. i just dont want to be with such young people. They talk about there parents freaking out on them and I am on the parents side. They act like teenagers. I just dont need this right now.

Amy