Well, I’ve scaled down my use to pot only so I’m hardly the OP’s target demographic. However, on a somewhat related note, I will say that when I kicked heroin pot was my godsend. I honestly don’t think I could have given up that addiction without something to “fall back on”.
HeeHee–we’ve always called it “Fred”.
I have anecdotal evidence (in the form of personal experience) to the contrary. In ten years of daily use, I experienced frequent bouts of depression, but was never suicidal. Since near-universal drug testing made it next to impossible to be employed, when life circumstances go south, I don’t just get bummed out. I think of developing an intense short-term relationship with a bottle of painkillers, or a gun, or a razor blade… whatever I think might do the job at the time.
I actually do have a suicide attempt on my resume- it was back in 1986. I had been smoking pot regularly for a year, and quit as my New Year’s Resolution. After five months of non-use, I tried to kill myself by eating half a bottle of Extra Strength Tylenol. Fortunately, I puked most of it up before I did myself any real damage. Tylenol, if you get a lethal dose, kills through liver damage, and it takes about a week to ten days of agony before you finally croak.
“May” is a vague term. MJ could possibly make depression worse for some people, but the same is true of most of the SSRI’s on the market. Personally, I’d rather take my chances with something I know is nontoxic and won’t cause withdrawal symptoms if I think it’s not working and decide to quit using it.
You are exactly my target demographic. I’ve heard the “fallback” story often. About speed and smack users, but for different reasons I think.
Part of what I was wondering is whether a doctor would “recommend” pot for those trying to kick.
Quohop the Mercotan, I think it was, (and I hope I got the spelling close ;)) mentioned something to that effect on another thread.
I’ve never experienced, or known of anyone who experienced depression because of pot. It could be, but I haven’t seen it.
For me and mine, pot is more likely to take the edge off a shitty day at a shitty job. A crutch? Sure, but a very benign one.
I didn’t think pot actually caused depression, but it could (could…not would) make it worse for people who already suffer from depression…
It is kind of like the reason why I don’t like to smoke if I am going out.
I have social anxiety, and I manage pretty well normally, but if I smoke and go anywhere… I usually start to panic a bit.
I like to smoke with friends, or anywhere comfortable…
I would imagine it could be the same sort of thing for depression.
(It could make you more aware of your sickness)
With the ever increasing hybridisation and breeding programs that occur in the world of pot Id definitely intuitively guess that it could help a hell of a lot of people to give up drugs.
Anyone whose been to amsterdam will tell you that there is more than just “kb” “chronic” etc out there, there are a whole spectrum of different highs and effects one can get ranging from the heavy heavy drowsy down mongy stone of a heavy indica or dark hasish to the exhilirating clear mindbending effects of a mainly sativa variety such as the various hazes. I could definitely see ganja being used to help people kick other drugs and have heard anecdotal evidence of it myself many times.
When I was a toker, I learned early that I could never enjoy marijuana if I was already depressed, because it would only make me more so. I had to be in a good mood already; for that reason, it was never a “crutch” or escape for me, but rather something that enhanced the moment.
In my experience, opiates and pot have nothing in common.
My personal theory is that marijuana will never replace alcohol, because it just doesn’t fit very well into the adult lifestyle, and most people abandon it in their early twenties. It’s not a very social drug, and when you’re out of college you don’t have so much time to sit around listening to music and discussing Ol’ Dirty Bastard as the spiritual successor to Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.