Self-medicating using "other" substances
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Self-medicating using "other" substances
| Thu, 05-27-2004 - 6:16pm |
I have a friend who experiences some similar depression symptoms that I do, but hers seem to have much more fluctuation. I'm wondering if her pot smoking has anything to do with it? What about her alcohol use? She's moderate on both....so she doesn't think she has a problem, but I'm curious...
Thanks!
Tracie

Tracie,
From what I know about alcohol and pot, both have a tendancy to make depression worse.
I'm not on meds, so I appreciate the idea of doing something that's not created in a lab somewhere then tested on animals then tested on certain control groups then mass marketed as a cure. Especially with sooo many 'possible side effects'. I may have to go to those conventional methods if I get too rough with myself, but for now will try to go on with my ways of handling myself...which does include drinking at times. Trying to go to exercise instead of anything else, since I have a weight issue...but that's for another post some other time!
In my opinion (not that of a trained professional but one of experience) the alcohol will have a bigger effect that the pot. Especially if she uses the pot only moderately. Is she a daily smoker and if so how many times a day? If she isn't a daily smoker then I wouldn't be too concerned. If she is then she may be a borderline 'pothead' which will have worse effects. Pot is like any other drug, alcohol, nicotene, etc., if it is used too frequently you are more likely to get the bad side effects associated with it such as mood swings when you have to go without.
Try to get your friend to lay off the alcohol completely and to cut back on the pot use. I understand her need to use pot sometimes as a mood elevator - pot is not a depressant but what is called a 'downer' in that it slows your heartrate and gives you that warm, fuzzy euphoric feeling that makes you want to sleep or just curl up. It is the natural effect THC has on the chemicals in your brain - by causing more production of endorphins which are the chemicals that make you feel good.
Also try to get your firend to start joining you at the gym instead of going out for a drink. Getting in a good workout will also produce endorphines in your brain which is why you always feel so good afterwards.
Anyway, just some info. I hope it helps!
Good luck to you and your friend!
XOXOXOXOX
Angela
Maybe your friend is bipolar with regards to the fluctuation thing if not bipolar than maybe cyclythmic which is what I am all that means is rapid cycling I go from high to low to normal in a blink of an eye literally maybe she has something like that but I am not doctor..
I used to "self medicate" ALOT I drank smoked pot did cocaine ect....but I did them to not feel that is why I did that stuff I cant say why your friend does it...
I also know that in moderation pot really doesnt depress you I call it a natual muscle relaxant now mind you I do not do those things now ya I drink but maybe once or twice a month and ya I slip up like drinking and taking muscle relaxers but once again that combo was to make me numb now mind you I need to be able to say no to myself when I want to do those things and I have been awesome at that for the most part...I do know tht alcohol is a depressant but it is hard to just stop having a drink every so often all together once you start antidepressants and my doctor knows that he also know I am not an alcoholic so he is fine with it...
my best advice to you is to have a talk with your friend find out if there is something deep rooted or if she just likes pot personally I do not have a problem with pot, I do not smoke it. I know I will catch slack for that It just never othered me unless you have kids once you have kids all drug use should stop enough said...
Talk to your friend see what is going on with her maybe you could get to the heart of the problem..
Good luck to you hun
Erin