Naive question...is marijuana addictive?
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Northern New Jersey
Posts: 74
Naive question...is marijuana addictive?
My ABF is about 80 days "sober" as in, 80 days since his last alcoholic drink.
But, he still smokes pot.....he is not forthcoming about how often, but my gut is telling me a few times a day.
When I bring it up, I am told
(a) he needs to use pot right now to stay sober - he needs something to deal with a lo0t of stuff in his life, and if he does not smoke, he will turn back to alcohol which will most likely kill him
and
(b) It is not addictive, it is "natural", and his AA sponser said it is ok for him to use it
As someone who has never so much as smoked a Marlboro, I am pretty uninformed....my gut tells me this is BS, but I am open to hearing what others have to say
Thanks
But, he still smokes pot.....he is not forthcoming about how often, but my gut is telling me a few times a day.
When I bring it up, I am told
(a) he needs to use pot right now to stay sober - he needs something to deal with a lo0t of stuff in his life, and if he does not smoke, he will turn back to alcohol which will most likely kill him
and
(b) It is not addictive, it is "natural", and his AA sponser said it is ok for him to use it
As someone who has never so much as smoked a Marlboro, I am pretty uninformed....my gut tells me this is BS, but I am open to hearing what others have to say
Thanks
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 24
I can't tell you the science of addiction, but I can tell you my AH was addicted to pot.
My opinion? Some people just have the chemical make-up that makes it more addictive than others.
I also hear people say that marijuana is NOT a "gate-way" drug because it's supposedly not addictive. Again, my opinion is that it IS a gate-way drug... in my AH's case, he was addicted to pot, then got hooked on heroin; got off the heroin, went back to pot, got off the pot; went back to heroin and died as a result.
Just my opinion, but I speak from experience.
My opinion? Some people just have the chemical make-up that makes it more addictive than others.
I also hear people say that marijuana is NOT a "gate-way" drug because it's supposedly not addictive. Again, my opinion is that it IS a gate-way drug... in my AH's case, he was addicted to pot, then got hooked on heroin; got off the heroin, went back to pot, got off the pot; went back to heroin and died as a result.
Just my opinion, but I speak from experience.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 561
Addictions aren't only chemical/ physical. They're also mental/ emotional. I don't think it matters whether marijuana is chemically addictive. If a person "needs" it to get through something else, then I'd say it's still a problem.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LA - Lower Alabama
Posts: 5,068
I have never been to an AA meeting where pot use, or use of any illegal substance, or misuse of legal drugs, was considered OK.
For similar reasons, NA does not consider you sober if you still drink alcohol.
As far as marijuana addiction, here is a link that disagrees with your BF:
Marijuana - Marijuana Addiction - Marijuana Abuse Treatment - Drug Dependency
A quick google search on "marijuana addiction" will find lots more info.
For similar reasons, NA does not consider you sober if you still drink alcohol.
As far as marijuana addiction, here is a link that disagrees with your BF:
Marijuana - Marijuana Addiction - Marijuana Abuse Treatment - Drug Dependency
A quick google search on "marijuana addiction" will find lots more info.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 517
My ABF does the same thing: when it's not alcohol, it's pot and vice versa. Often it's both. I suppose it's better than what it was years back (crack), but to need something to deal with things in life never sounds good...
And to be honest, being stoned isn't much more attractive than being drunk.
And to be honest, being stoned isn't much more attractive than being drunk.
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: In Today
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(a) he needs to use pot right now to stay sober - he needs something to deal with a lo0t of stuff in his life, and if he does not smoke, he will turn back to alcohol which will most likely kill him
and
(b) It is not addictive, it is "natural", and his AA sponser said it is ok for him to use it
and
(b) It is not addictive, it is "natural", and his AA sponser said it is ok for him to use it
More manipulation on his part, and his sponsor if he has one that is sober and has worked the steps DID NOT SAY THAT.
This is called the "Marijuana Maintenance Program" and laughed about.
HE IS NOT SOBER 80 DAYS!!!!!!
He is conning you ONE MORE TIME.
Oh and btw, the "lot of stuff in his life" will be dealt with when and only when he works the steps.
QUACK QUACK QUACK
J M H O
Love and hugs,
Restoring myself to sanity
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,018
Pot is addictive and smoking it does not make him sober..
My AH used to be on the Marijuana Maintenance Program and he will tell you first hand that smoking so he could cope being off the harder stuff eventually lead him straight back to the harder stuff..
Bottom line, a drug is a drug is a drug..
If you AH's sponsor told him it is ok then either your AH is lying or he needs to find a new sponsor..
My AH used to be on the Marijuana Maintenance Program and he will tell you first hand that smoking so he could cope being off the harder stuff eventually lead him straight back to the harder stuff..
Bottom line, a drug is a drug is a drug..
If you AH's sponsor told him it is ok then either your AH is lying or he needs to find a new sponsor..
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Marietta, GA
Posts: 1,453
Definition of sober: not under the influence of drugs or alcohol
There is some weak research trying to say pot is physically addictive in people who smoke large amounts - i personally dont believe that it has the same physical addictive qualities as some drugs but have known plenty of people in my life who felt like they couldnt function if they didnt wake and bake. So where it may not cause physical addiction like other drugs will it is very psychologically addictive. The thing is its not just whether or not its an addictive drug its the fact that it alters reality. Sure its natural - blah blah blah - so are coca leaves, poppy flowers, mushrooms. These days a lot of pot is not just the natural leaves but has other drugs added. You dont walk in the local convience store and buy a pack of joints so that means you have to go to drug dealers - drug dealers who sell pot typically sell other drugs. So its all an excuse, its all denial, and 99.9% of the time it leads right back to the DOC. Everything is not about whether or not something you use is going to cause you to OD or force you to go through detox to quit - its whether or not you are relying on a drug. Besides, whether you agree or not the fact is it is illegal and will send you to jail.
This is a subject that my son and i debate frequently. Even as an adult he will not be able to drink since he is diabetic. Medical research shows that for a type 1 diabetic pot is much less dangerous than alcohol and other drugs. I hate to admit this here but morally i dont really see pot any differently than alcohol - but that doesnt mean that I smoke pot or think that anyone should. Since it is illegal, whether it is the lesser of two evils is a moot point. He uses the same excuses you are hearing but my argument is its illegal; its still NOT good for you health wise; it alters your perception; you have to buy from drug dealers; many who smoke weed also have other more dangerous drugs handy, once your stoned your much more likely to grab a drink or another DOC. But bottom line is its not allowed in my home or around me or my daughter so its just a big fat No. My son's fight is not with one DOC its with partying on a whole - he has to make the choice because its really an all or nothing situation for him.
Your bf has not been sober for 80 days.
There is some weak research trying to say pot is physically addictive in people who smoke large amounts - i personally dont believe that it has the same physical addictive qualities as some drugs but have known plenty of people in my life who felt like they couldnt function if they didnt wake and bake. So where it may not cause physical addiction like other drugs will it is very psychologically addictive. The thing is its not just whether or not its an addictive drug its the fact that it alters reality. Sure its natural - blah blah blah - so are coca leaves, poppy flowers, mushrooms. These days a lot of pot is not just the natural leaves but has other drugs added. You dont walk in the local convience store and buy a pack of joints so that means you have to go to drug dealers - drug dealers who sell pot typically sell other drugs. So its all an excuse, its all denial, and 99.9% of the time it leads right back to the DOC. Everything is not about whether or not something you use is going to cause you to OD or force you to go through detox to quit - its whether or not you are relying on a drug. Besides, whether you agree or not the fact is it is illegal and will send you to jail.
This is a subject that my son and i debate frequently. Even as an adult he will not be able to drink since he is diabetic. Medical research shows that for a type 1 diabetic pot is much less dangerous than alcohol and other drugs. I hate to admit this here but morally i dont really see pot any differently than alcohol - but that doesnt mean that I smoke pot or think that anyone should. Since it is illegal, whether it is the lesser of two evils is a moot point. He uses the same excuses you are hearing but my argument is its illegal; its still NOT good for you health wise; it alters your perception; you have to buy from drug dealers; many who smoke weed also have other more dangerous drugs handy, once your stoned your much more likely to grab a drink or another DOC. But bottom line is its not allowed in my home or around me or my daughter so its just a big fat No. My son's fight is not with one DOC its with partying on a whole - he has to make the choice because its really an all or nothing situation for him.
Your bf has not been sober for 80 days.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 718
JG.... I too don't know the science of addiction, but I know the reality of living with someone who used mj on regular basis. Daily. Probably several times per day. For years. This after he "stopped" drinking... and he did for the most part, but there were lapses, since he never admitted he had a drinking problem, he just decided to stop. DENIAL!!!!!
I know that doing mj for long periods of time can and does impact who you are and how you see the world. It alters reality and impacts how you interact with life. In my experience, this was damaging to me and to our family.
He's kidding himself and he's BS'ing you IMO. Also, either he is not telling the truth about the sponsor or the sponsor shouldn't be one! That's my two cents. Stay strong, hon and trust yourself.
I know that doing mj for long periods of time can and does impact who you are and how you see the world. It alters reality and impacts how you interact with life. In my experience, this was damaging to me and to our family.
He's kidding himself and he's BS'ing you IMO. Also, either he is not telling the truth about the sponsor or the sponsor shouldn't be one! That's my two cents. Stay strong, hon and trust yourself.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LA - Lower Alabama
Posts: 5,068
Sure its natural - blah blah blah - so are coca leaves, poppy flowers, mushrooms.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 4,269
What Laurie said.....
Substituting one mood altering substance for another and calling it sobriety is BULL.
In his case, he substituted a legal for an illegal substance. Now that he is on that slipperty slope, it's going to be easier to rationalize other illegal substances. Heroin is derived from pretty poppies, a natural substance, too.
What he is doing has all to do with him and nothing to do with you. You cannot love him sober. You cannot nag him sober. Only you can decide if you want a BF who is rationalizing use of substances instead of learning the life skills necessary to cope with life , as is, not as it should be, according to him.
Substituting one mood altering substance for another and calling it sobriety is BULL.
In his case, he substituted a legal for an illegal substance. Now that he is on that slipperty slope, it's going to be easier to rationalize other illegal substances. Heroin is derived from pretty poppies, a natural substance, too.
What he is doing has all to do with him and nothing to do with you. You cannot love him sober. You cannot nag him sober. Only you can decide if you want a BF who is rationalizing use of substances instead of learning the life skills necessary to cope with life , as is, not as it should be, according to him.
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Union Mo
Posts: 655
I second what Laurie has said. Im a recovering addict also and I know for a fact in 3 years I have never heard another recovering addict say that smoking pot was ok. Youcan ask any recovering addict no matter what substance they abused, and worked any of the steps, will say that its ok to smoke pot. Im sorry but he's taking you for another ride.
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 697
Originally Posted by SistersHelp 
Addictions aren't only chemical/ physical. They're also mental/ emotional. I don't think it matters whether marijuana is chemically addictive. If a person "needs" it to get through something else, then I'd say it's still a problem.
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 58
Personally - I don't believe "anything" is "addictive" in & of itself. It's the person who is "addicitve"; that's why people have addictions to everything & anything under the sun: sex, food, shopping, habits, drugs, other people - you name it.
Addiction is a compulsive behavior that someone does to deal with other thoughts, feelings, emotions - or whatever else - is going on inside their head.
In the case of pot - well, the bottom line is - if he was "addicted" to other drugs - you have to think - what do those drugs do to him? They got him high. They altered his physical feelings & mental feelings. They most likely helped him "tune out" of reality for a little while. Isn't that what pot does? Makes your body chill...slows down your thoughts...gives you the munchies. It changes your current physical & mental state & alters it. The very same thing that other drugs do (although some speed you up, etc etc).
Granted - pot doesn't cause the body the same physical symptoms drugs like opiates to - where they actually alter the body into thinking that they are a part of normal bodily functions - and when removed - the body says "wtf? I need the opiates back!!!" - and physical withdrawal kicks in...
A lot of people will say "Pot isn't as bad as other drugs - so its ok" - and in a sense - they're right - for people who are NOT in recovery. An OD on pot is pretty close to impossible. Pot doesn't destroy the body like some drugs. Compred to crack, cocaine, heroin or painkillers - pot IS relatively harmless - in the PHYSICAL sense.
For a recovering addict or alcoholic - pot is effectively just as bad as anything they've ever taken before. Period.
Addiction is a compulsive behavior that someone does to deal with other thoughts, feelings, emotions - or whatever else - is going on inside their head.
In the case of pot - well, the bottom line is - if he was "addicted" to other drugs - you have to think - what do those drugs do to him? They got him high. They altered his physical feelings & mental feelings. They most likely helped him "tune out" of reality for a little while. Isn't that what pot does? Makes your body chill...slows down your thoughts...gives you the munchies. It changes your current physical & mental state & alters it. The very same thing that other drugs do (although some speed you up, etc etc).
Granted - pot doesn't cause the body the same physical symptoms drugs like opiates to - where they actually alter the body into thinking that they are a part of normal bodily functions - and when removed - the body says "wtf? I need the opiates back!!!" - and physical withdrawal kicks in...
A lot of people will say "Pot isn't as bad as other drugs - so its ok" - and in a sense - they're right - for people who are NOT in recovery. An OD on pot is pretty close to impossible. Pot doesn't destroy the body like some drugs. Compred to crack, cocaine, heroin or painkillers - pot IS relatively harmless - in the PHYSICAL sense.
For a recovering addict or alcoholic - pot is effectively just as bad as anything they've ever taken before. Period.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 718
Lung cancer seems pretty physical to me. I may also be wrong on this one, but I think it does alter your brain physically. Take it from someone who has lived with a heavy pot smoker... it is one very rough road. The financial and emotional issues are huge.
Take care of yourself!!!
Take care of yourself!!!
Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 3,335
Addiction is less about the substance than it is the person. Instead of asking is a drug addictive, ask yourself, is the substance/activity interfering in the person's ability to function normally. Are they dependent on it to get through the day. Is the substance/activity causing problems in the person's life.
Anything can be addictive - porn, drugs, alcohol, boyfriends, eating, picking scabs, etc. etc. etc.
According to the definition in the DSMV:
"Substance dependence - When an individual persists in use of alcohol or other drugs despite problems related to use of the substance, substance dependence may be diagnosed. Compulsive and repetitive use may result in tolerance to the effect of the drug and withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced or stopped. This, along with Substance Abuse are considered Substance Use Disorders..."[16]
So yes, Marijauna can be addictive. Just like anything else... depending on the person who uses it.
Anything can be addictive - porn, drugs, alcohol, boyfriends, eating, picking scabs, etc. etc. etc.
According to the definition in the DSMV:
"Substance dependence - When an individual persists in use of alcohol or other drugs despite problems related to use of the substance, substance dependence may be diagnosed. Compulsive and repetitive use may result in tolerance to the effect of the drug and withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced or stopped. This, along with Substance Abuse are considered Substance Use Disorders..."[16]
So yes, Marijauna can be addictive. Just like anything else... depending on the person who uses it.
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Marietta, GA
Posts: 1,453
Originally Posted by dgillz
The "natural" argument is one of my favorites. Hemlock is natural. So is poison ivy, sumac, nightshade and a whole bunch of other stuff that'll kill you.
... sorry - sometimes i have a mean streak
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