Substance Abuse - Did Illegal Drugs Help You?

[Jonathan]

Has anyone ever taken or thought about taking something in attemp to distance from the pain or angar?

[anthony]

Hi Jonathon,

I edited your poll to what I interpreted you where trying to say. Please post here if I edited it incorrectly. Drugs come in a wide variety, legal and illegal, prescribed and non-prescribed. So I went with what I believe your looking for, being more the illegal type drugs (pot, speed, etc). Polls already exist for certain things, though this is a little different so I have allowed it none the less.

Mine was no for illegal....

[Jonathan]

I believe your looking for, being more the illegal type drugs (pot, speed, etc).

that is correct mine is yes but the only reason i take them is not to forget the trauma or to change the outlook on the world it is purley to keep my rage under control i was just curios if anyone else feelis like this

[anthony]

Ok, thanks... just happy it is as per you desired, being the statement you wanted.

I know many who smoke pot for that exact reason, as they don't want to use prescription medication so instead have some joints rolled up and limit themselves to say three or four a day, and they typically have days free from it. It works for them as a management technique whilst they haven't really dealt with their trauma.

[Jonathan]

See i can admit i have a problem i can even admit it is starting to control me (the PTSD) dut i dont want to admit im weak i can on here at the end of the day you dont know me from the next guy but life is different, i spose i feel ashamed of my dissorder before the tramua i was not scared of anyone profecional, junke, joe bloggs ect but now im scared of my own shadow. i dont want people thinking any less of me i know im being silly but thats the way i am

I wold love to get help but everytime i sart i dont have the strength to continue...... anyway enough of my ramaling. i love this site makes me feel i can talk about my issues to people that understand

Thank you.

[anthony]

John, I am ex military myself, veteran. I was the typical blokey bloke mate, big, strong, tough, nothing could hurt me type shit. Well, PTSD knocked me on my arse, turned my life upside down, and the only person who couldn't see everything I was doing was wrong, was me. People say men don't cry.... bullshit. The only man that doesn't cry is the man who's trying to be something he's not... he is the weaker, not the one who can show his emotions.

Emotions actually do not make you weak, they make you stronger. Learning to feel and being honest with myself has only made me stronger, and I know now the shit I did by trying to be strong, tough, the man.... only made me weaker, and it did, because I though I could handle PTSD. I smoked more, drank more, became more destructive..... none of which helped me at the end of the day. The only that was sure, was that I was heading towards death quickly, and only escaped it through luck.

I learnt that being a man was more than being tough, strong or the solid one that anyone could come to for help; instead I now acknowledge what I feel. That doesn't mean I go around telling everyone about it, but I acknowledge it and will discuss things at an emotional level with my partner and closest friends now, as years ago I wouldn't, everything stayed within me.

You will be quite astounded at just how much you will find out about yourself when you look inwards.... and it doesn't mean you have to become a girl, it just means you have to be honest with yourself, honest with what you feel and acknowledge those feelings to work through them. If you cannot discuss them, you cannot heal them. That is what makes a man, not strength or image alone... mental strength with physical strength makes quite an ideal man as women tend to state.

[Nicolette]

And a girl's point of view on what Anthony said..........I have more respect for a man who can show his emotions and share with me what he feels. Tough and macho can be for the rest of the world, outside of home, but inside the home should be open and honest (confidential if required). Not talking and having things happen to you is like bottling things up...one day, when you put too many things in the bottle it will explode as it can't keep it all in. As the saying goes; a joy shared is doubled and a trouble shared is halved.

[nor]

I had to vote yes, as I self medicated with pot for quite a few years. Then, one day...I just stopped. Unfortunately I find myself taking prescription drugs now to deaden the pain each evening.

I didn't know, at the time of the pot, that was what I was doing. But through therapy, it has definitely been identifed as such. I needed to not feel the anger and pain of my past, and by smoking pot I was able to escape it for awhile. I used to laugh a lot-it felt good, as I rarely laugh at all (unless it is a forced acted laugh). Then one day, I didn't laugh anymore and became quite paranoid and frightened.

I have taken to the meds in the early evening, to ease me from thoughts arising while watching TV. But, I know that wasn't what you asked for.

I stopped smoking pot close to 25 years ago.

[WorkingThruIt]

I have close friends that use pot instead of Rx meds to control their anxiety. If you look at the list of side effects, I think it is completely understandable.

[Jonathan]

thank you for everyones input i can see your points i think i am going to see my doctor tomorow, if i can muster the courage to admit this face to face

[batgirl]

I voted yes as well. I was never someone who used drugs regularly, but I did take E (ecstasy) at raves a few times to try to alleviate my symptoms.

[morgan]

I voted no because I used to use meth... but if I ever get around to it I will use pot again for my anxiety. I just want to do it the legal way this time.

[rat]

Yes!!! Also, I think opiates are really the only substance that will stop a flashback.

[Lisa]

I've taken skunk more to help me to cope in the past. But at times I have also used solvents, magic mushrooms, speed, and cocaine. On the whole, I don't think drug use is really the answer though.

[LostInTheFog]

Yes, I still think I get the best results as far as anxiety and positive mood from weed, and actually trust the safety of it more than all the chemicals as well. It's natural, and there is just nothing else that makes me feel as much 'myself' - creative, expressive - with no side or lasting effects [for me]. When it goes away it is gone, unlike all these things that must always be 'in your system'. Instead of simply escaping bad feelings, it seems to help me escape back to who I really am. Just my opinion.

[Lisa]

When it goes away it is gone, unlike all these things that must always be 'in your system'. Instead of simply escaping bad feelings, it seems to help me escape back to who I really am. Just my opinion.

That's interesting... I have often felt that 'sobering up' after some skunk is better than getting stoned... a sort of 'clarity' arising is somehow quite nice and makes me feel that it helps me to get back to me...

[veiled_misery]

pot habitually.. adderall to get school work done.. ambien & trazodone to sleep.. Drinking to stop anxiety on the weekends, along with coke (rarely) to help me talk better with people.. shrooms & acid to go to another universe.. hydros and oxys to come down from the adderall & control anxiety during the week. i gobble up valium any chance i get for the same reason.

pot, acid, and shrooms help me most with putting things in perspective, and to escape this reality and go to a more spiritual place (that part is mostly the acid & shrooms).

the only ones i really, deep down, enjoy, would be weed, acid and shrooms. everything else just keeps me seeming like a functioning and normal citizen to others, as funny as that might sound.

im a piece of fiendish crap i know

[weldergirl]

I think they should allow medicinal marijuana for PTSD. I would be dead by now if it weren't for my bad habit. Really which is worse, drugs or dead?

[sallyb98178]

Used to do both drugs and alcohol, then quit, but was hit with crazy suicidal depression, finally got on prozac, recenly quit nicotine and diet soda and refined sugar which may be why all my s**t is up right now.

[sallyb98178]

I have been clean and sober for 29+ years, but just recently quit nicotine and sugar. My anxiety is sky-high right now, but I am clinging to the hope that I can tackle the ptsd finally. Thinking back, it was likely the earliest cause of my drinking and using. I now have nothing to control it. Work is really pretty difficult with waves of adrenaline all day. But you guys are giving me hope. Last week I thought I would lose my job, my home, all the most dire predictions. Thusday I start with a new therapist who does EMDR. Keeping my fingers crossed,

[nightowl52]

I also know of 5 ptsd with doctors perscriptions who use Medical Marijuana & are doing well in therapy too & no side effects

[harrywgtn]

Ive smoked pot now for over 15 years to help me. works get sme out of my head space. im such a better person with it