[relieved]

At my last session i told my t I was self-medicating a lot more then usual with some good plant medicine. I told her the emotional pain gets to be too much and smoking helps me so that way i don't have to bother anybody with my problems in order to feel better. I told her I don't want to create a new problem by smoking too much. She said I shouldn't worry about it and if it helps to keep smoking it then and smoke it in moderation. I was thinking about her response and i wonder if it was good advice for a t to encourage me to self-medicate like this or if she should have recommended other ways to try to cope. I went from doing this stuff from once a month to like 5-7 times a week in the last few weeks.

[stopdog]

The ones I see have never tried to object to pot use and have from time to time suggested I consider using it (I rarely smoke - only a few times a year). The first one suggested I get xanax from a friend (I would never take xanax and told her so - she seems to believe xanax is flowing freely on the streets to one and all) and to have a shot of liquor (I rarely drink) before coming to appointments.

They are not all anti-substance nazis.

For me, it is not bad advice to try a joint from time to time and I would run far away from any therapist who advised or was otherwise against it (I don't care one way or the other if they advise doing it). I would never, ever, take prescription drugs for stress or anxiety.

[AncientMelody]

I do not feel it was good advice

[atisketatasket]

Surely she should be concerned about the increase in frequency of your use? She probably figures she can't stop you using weed, but she should be concerned about the frequency.

[Chummy]

This is not a good advice. Some years ago I was in group therapy and a few members smoked weed during the weekends and some even outside the therapy. It wasn't allowed because the weed and also other drugs would make you feel different and make you not feel negative emotions. But they needed to handle those emotions in a different, more healthy, way.
If you keep smoking that, it could become an adiction.

She should help you to find other ways to cope with the pain.
You could try an anti-depressant or something. But for that kind of things you should ask your gp or a psychiatrist for advice.

[Out There]

I have doubts about this. It can numb feelings for a while but they come back worse. I also know someone who ended up in hospital with induced psychosis from over use. There are other herbs like St Johns Wort and 5 htp which might be explored.

[divine1966]

I personally think encouraging any kind of mind altering substance is wrong ( unless medically prescribed). I never used anything so don't know if and how my t would react if I did . But I hope she doesn't encourage her clients in using something not medically prescribed

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[seoultous]

I agree with divine1966. I guess I would never go back to a t who advocates illegal drug use or condones the use of any mind altering substance without medical supervision. Even encouraging drinking while medicated is dangerous.

[Elkino]

I think it's good that you think about it and don't just 'follow' her advice or think your T is always right about everything. That's very positive.

I personally don't think it's good advice. Also know though that T's don't always give the best advice. ;-) But maybe you could try to have a conversation with your T about this. Explain why you think it could cause problems and also mention that you kinda wonder why she doesn't think it's a bad idea.
I think it's always interesting to explore other people's ways of thinking, especially when the 'results' of this thinking are not exactly the same as yours.

[Sofya Semyonovna]

In my opinion, weed is one of the safest substances to help with mental illness or physical or mental pain. While it doesn't help everyone, for those it does, it can be incredibly useful. I would see it as highly irresponsible and bias if a therapist promoted the use of pharmaceuticals but condemned marijuana, since most pharmaceuticals can be addictive and deadly, and marijuana is non-addictive and has never resulted in death.

So, to me, it seems only logical that a therapist would be okay with and even encourage a client to smoke weed. My therapist encourages me to take Xanax, which is incredibly addictive and potentially harmful. Wouldn't it be better for therapists to promote safe, organic alternatives, provided they help the client? Obviously, pharmaceuticals should also be taken when applicable, but weed is just a much safer alternative to pharmaceuticals, so if it helps, what reason could a therapist have for opposing it?

[MobiusPsyche]

I'm not sure she was advising you to use marijuana. You told her you were already using it; she didn't harangue you to stop. That's different from advocating its use.

I think what she did was reality testing and entirely appropriate.

Did you tell her the details... That you're using it nearly every day? Or did you just say that you're using it more than usual? "More than usual" can mean a lot of things.

I would definitely address it with her again if the marijuana use is adversely impacting your functioning in one or more areas. That means it is a problem...for you...right now...at this level of use.

Just because it's natural doesn't mean it's harmless or safe. But just because a drug's been prescribed by a qualified physician doesn't mean it's harmless or safe.

You always have to consider the benefits and costs/risks. Stay safe whatever you choose to do.

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[atisketatasket]

Originally Posted by Sofya Semyonovna

In my opinion, weed is one of the safest substances to help with mental illness or physical or mental pain. While it doesn't help everyone, for those it does, it can be incredibly useful. I would see it as highly irresponsible and bias if a therapist promoted the use of pharmaceuticals but condemned marijuana, since most pharmaceuticals can be addictive and deadly, and marijuana is non-addictive and has never resulted in death.

So, to me, it seems only logical that a therapist would be okay with and even encourage a client to smoke weed. My therapist encourages me to take Xanax, which is incredibly addictive and potentially harmful. Wouldn't it be better for therapists to promote safe, organic alternatives, provided they help the client? Obviously, pharmaceuticals should also be taken when applicable, but weed is just a much safer alternative to pharmaceuticals, so if it helps, what reason could a therapist have for opposing it?

First of all, marijuana is addictive to some people. If you just Google it, you'll see about 10% of users are hooked.

Second, why is the therapist not concerned about the frequency (if she knows) and why is she not trying to replace the use of marijuana with, say, learning coping techniques, which are even safer?

[BudFox]

Originally Posted by Sofya Semyonovna

In my opinion, weed is one of the safest substances to help with mental illness or physical or mental pain. While it doesn't help everyone, for those it does, it can be incredibly useful. I would see it as highly irresponsible and bias if a therapist promoted the use of pharmaceuticals but condemned marijuana, since most pharmaceuticals can be addictive and deadly, and marijuana is non-addictive and has never resulted in death.

So, to me, it seems only logical that a therapist would be okay with and even encourage a client to smoke weed. My therapist encourages me to take Xanax, which is incredibly addictive and potentially harmful. Wouldn't it be better for therapists to promote safe, organic alternatives, provided they help the client? Obviously, pharmaceuticals should also be taken when applicable, but weed is just a much safer alternative to pharmaceuticals, so if it helps, what reason could a therapist have for opposing it?

Amen to that. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Cannabis is becoming legal in more and more places for a reason. It is a hugely powerful medicinal plant. The benefits are well documented, including relief of anxiety and stress. It is not the terrible illicit drug that the propaganda offensive would have us believe.

Also I don't see how a therapist is in a position to give advice one way or the other, unless they had studied the plant some.

[divine1966]

Some therapists are just so bizarre. Nothing shocks me anymore

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[Myrto]

Originally Posted by Sofya Semyonovna

In my opinion, weed is one of the safest substances to help with mental illness or physical or mental pain. While it doesn't help everyone, for those it does, it can be incredibly useful. I would see it as highly irresponsible and bias if a therapist promoted the use of pharmaceuticals but condemned marijuana, since most pharmaceuticals can be addictive and deadly, and marijuana is non-addictive and has never resulted in death.

So, to me, it seems only logical that a therapist would be okay with and even encourage a client to smoke weed. My therapist encourages me to take Xanax, which is incredibly addictive and potentially harmful. Wouldn't it be better for therapists to promote safe, organic alternatives, provided they help the client? Obviously, pharmaceuticals should also be taken when applicable, but weed is just a much safer alternative to pharmaceuticals, so if it helps, what reason could a therapist have for opposing it?

I completely agree. Smoking pot once in a while can help with anxiety and depression. Weed should be legal everywhere as far as I'm concerned.
Of course there are always people who abuse it but a joint once in a while has never hurt anybody.
Don't understand why everyone here seems so opposed to this.

[atisketatasket]

It isn't the marijuana itself that is the problem. It's more like, should a therapist be recommending this or at least not showing concern about it?

This is exactly the nature of the OP's concern and their question, not the advantages or disadvantages of marijuana.

While I do believe that it could be legalised and sold in a similar way to alcohol, I think it is misleading to suggest it is a potential treatment for depression. My mother suffered from a variety of mental health issues, and cannabis absolutely increased her depression and particularly paranoid delusions. It was plain to see the negative impact the drug can have.
The way I look at drugs is like any other choice in life - go ahead and do it, but educate yourself first and understand the risks.

[awkwardlyyours]

But say, the OP had gone and told the therapist "Hey, I'm concerned that I'm just not exercising and I'm lolling around on the couch or just sitting around all day".

And, if the therapist responded by not ringing the alarm bells and simply said "Hey, try to do stuff in moderation etc" (exactly, as they've said to the weed stuff), it wouldn't be seen as such a concern.

So, I do think the disproportionate alarm at the response is really related to how one thinks of weed and not separate from it.

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

It isn't the marijuana itself that is the problem. It's more like, should a therapist be recommending this or at least not showing concern about it?

This is exactly the nature of the OP's concern and their question, not the advantages or disadvantages of marijuana.

That's a good point. In my experience, my T does show some concern and caution when I talk about my alcohol consumption in the past (I have been known to drink to ease anxiety) He's not intrusive or punitive, but nor does he condone it. I think that's the best balance a T can strike.

[ruh roh]

Originally Posted by relieved

I was thinking about her response and i wonder if it was good advice for a t to encourage me to self-medicate like this or if she should have recommended other ways to try to cope. I went from doing this stuff from once a month to like 5-7 times a week in the last few weeks.

From what you wrote, it didn't sound like encouragement. She did use a qualifier about using moderation. I agree with others that pharma is so much worse--worse for the person and the planet (our water supply is drugged). I could see my therapist having a similar response. It would be my responsibility not to let it get out of control, not hers.

[Sofya Semyonovna]

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

It isn't the marijuana itself that is the problem. It's more like, should a therapist be recommending this or at least not showing concern about it?

This is exactly the nature of the OP's concern and their question, not the advantages or disadvantages of marijuana.

Virtually all therapists recommend some form of drug to clients. Every therapist I've ever seen has insisted I see a psychiatrist for meds, despite my problems not being all that severe. I'd rather my therapist insist I smoke weed then continually tell me I need to be on Xanax. And this therapist didn't tell OP to smoke weed. OP told therapist that OP already smokes weed, and therapist said okay, if that's what works for you.

Would it be ethical for a therapist to insist a client not smoke weed, if the client felt weed benefited them? I think it would be highly unethical for a therapist to convince a depressed person to quit using antidepressants, if the depressed person benefited from the meds and didn't want to quit. Why is this different? If the OP develops a dependency, then they can talk to the therapist as that arises.

If the OP sees their usage as a problem, then they should talk to the therapist about that. But weed is widely considered medicine, and where I live, legally prescribed for a variety of mental illnesses. All the therapist knows is that OP smokes weed because weed makes OP feel better. As far as therapist knows, the weed usage is medicinal, and it isn't really their place to intervene, unless OP expresses the usage is becoming a problem.

[ThingWithFeathers]

My T and MH nurse know I am addicted and often tell me that, while the aim is to give up, it's preferable to have a smoke than SH or commit sui. So, when it helps for that, they are encouraging of my use of it to prevent worse amd more dangerous behaviours.

[AllHeart]

I'm a proponent of weed smokin' for medicinal and recreational use (in moderation of course). However, I don't think it was right for the OP's t to encourage the use. Number one, it is illegal (though this is assumed). Number two, OP jumped from using once a month to using 5 to 7 times a week which is a huge jump AND expressed concern about the increase in usage him/herself. It seems irresponsible to me for a t to not promote other coping skills rather than to just say yeah, go ahead and smoke it up.

[Sofya Semyonovna]

Originally Posted by Echos Myron

While I do believe that it could be legalised and sold in a similar way to alcohol, I think it is misleading to suggest it is a potential treatment for depression. My mother suffered from a variety of mental health issues, and cannabis absolutely increased her depression and particularly paranoid delusions. It was plain to see the negative impact the drug can have.
The way I look at drugs is like any other choice in life - go ahead and do it, but educate yourself first and understand the risks.

This is absolutely true, but not any different than any other medication. Zoloft decreases depression for some, and increases depression in others. People need to experiment with a variety of treatment options to find what works for them. Weed won't work for everyone, but it absolutely works for some.

[relieved]

Anti depressents aren't the concern for me. It seemed strange that my t would be on board with me using pot so much now. My t didn't suggest any other way to cope plus it is illegal in my state.