I am an Alcoholic

[Bluberry]

Hello, My name is Bluberry and I am an Alcoholic. Its been 2 years since my last drink, and life is wonderful.

Any other AA members here, or problem drinkers that stopped the booze but still smoke. How do you find it? Did you smoke before you stopped? Have you started since stopping? Any booze or booze related issues?

 

[Tobor the 8th Man]

My friend stopped drinking and smoking 20 years ago. He was about to fall off the wagon after 1 year. He started smoking weed as a recreational buzz. He goes to bars and plays pool once in awhile with his brother and never drinks. He gets a buzz before he goes and maybe after and hasn't drank in 20 years and isn't even tempted.

We go camping with our friends and they all have tons of beer. I hardly ever drink but do have a beer now and then or once a year tie a small one on. If he is there though I don't drink and puff like mad with him.

So I think it helps in some cases to smoke when you don't want to drink. Plus even if a person just is kind of a substance abuser if pot is the substance it doesn't screw you up like alcohol/hard drugs. You can still do things that make life possible. When you are drunk, on meth or heroin you can't even take care of yourself properly let alone your loved ones or your job.

I will make the case that pot, if you employ the right strains, can make life better and easier. i disagree with Joe Rogan that pot just makes you not want to do things that suck. Pot makes me do things that suck very well because they don't suck as much. It can even make those things fun.

I know lots of people, some doctors, who wake and bake everyday and are the best or one of the best at what ever job they do wherever they work. It's like the speed limit. If an 85 years old in a 1985 Cadillac, mint condition but still old, can go the 65 mph speed limit then why can't a 35 year old in a brand new Cadillac go 100 mph. I will take a stoned great worker over a straight good worker all day, everyday.

The right strain choice is critical. Don't be smoking heavy gravity planet indicas before going to work. Get some nice sativa action and get to working.

You can stop drinking and smoke pot. It will probably help. My friend went A.A. the first year. Then he left them and started smoking and hanging out more with me. Fishing and weed kicked A.A. ass.

 

[lazarus718]

I won't knock the heavy hitter Indies...those buds keep me from drinking cause they put my ass to sleep! I'll smoke those at night especially if I feel like drinking and then only end up having a beer or two instead of six or seven. I don't drink or smoke throughout the day, just at night once my son goes to bed...I have big time back issues from my old job in the military and it helps me cope with some pain and with getting to sleep. Congrats on being beer sober man, don't think there is anything wrong with having some escape from the real world from time to time and if it is pot that helps you with that then you have probably picked the lesser of all evils.

 

[Bluberry]

You can stop drinking and smoke pot. It will probably help. My friend went A.A. the first year. Then he left them and started smoking and hanging out more with me. Fishing and weed kicked A.A. ass.

Not to sure that I would agree with that one. Your friend, and I , stopped because we wanted to, which is the only way anyone will stop. AA can make it a whole lot easier, and the support is crucial. Fishing and weed may be a lot more fun but its sure not going to STOP anyone from drinking.

Also there are different types of Alcoholics, lots really want to stop. Hook them up to a lie detector and ask them if they want to stop and they will say yes, and mean it, passing the test, but its just not that easy.

I walked behind a coffin last week, 33 year old guy that was going to AA meetings and just could not get it, my heart goes out to him and his family, as it does to you Northone.

Your brothers at peace now man, I hope you are to.

BB

 

[Bluberry]

Thanks Laz, I am actually EVERYTHING sober for the moment. Just setting up a small grow for some heavy CBD cannatonic which should be just right. Like you I have back issues, some pretty serious ones that are not going away, and also have been taking antidepressants so I am planning the medical route - and as you say, there is no harm in taking a break every so often.

I got to believe there are lots of peps on here who have experienced issues with alcohol - you would be surprised how many come through the rooms of aa for a few weeks or months then leave because they are not like the rest of us - they think!

I am not sure I know 1 person in Ireland who drinks "normally", and I know you yanks put it away, so where are you all?

 

[lazarus718]

Thanks Laz, I am actually EVERYTHING sober for the moment.

I am not sure I know 1 person in Ireland who drinks "normally", and I know you yanks put it away, so where are you all?

Yeah bro, us yanks definitely put some brews down but it's really looked down upon here in the states if you spend your day and night in the pub...I know it's a little more acceptable in your neck of the woods. I was a sailor back in the day and have Irish, German, Scottish and Danish roots so I inherited the beer gene. But yeah, I have some serious issues with back pain and even now as I type I'm having a hard time breathing today because it is hurting that bad. I don't believe in pain killers and try to stay away from tylenol or aspirin so I deal with the pain all day until my little guy goes to sleep at night. Then I break out my medicine and get that needed relief until I hit the sack. As far as where I'm located, if you check a map of the US you'll find New Mexico down at the bottom left a couple of states in from Cali. I lived in southern and northern Cali for 7 years but moved back to NM a few years ago. Grew up here and am a bit of a "cowboy" and really missed the mountains and sky so came back. Hope your ventures go well for you, glad to see you chose to set-up and grow my friend! Be warned, just growing the plant is addicting!!!!

 

[Toes]

Smoking herbs is one of the ways I've stayed off booze for... shit... coming up on 3 years Feb 25th.

I found my way to the rooms through the usual way, DUI sentencing. It wasn't until I was in an A.A. meeting that I realized I have a problem with alcohol, and the DUI was MY rock bottom.

Although I accredit the rooms and my sponsor for keeping me sober (W/O herbs, also) the first year. I don't go to meetings any more. I felt the rooms were full of people who want to keep re-living their worst moments ever, over and over and over. When I was first getting sober... especially my first 90 days... I needed that. But now I think it's almost morbid. (especially when I'm high!)

I agree with Tobor

...even if a person just is kind of a substance abuser if pot is the substance it doesn't screw you up like alcohol/hard drugs...

i feel some people's body chemistry doesn't produce the normal amount of chemicals (dopamine, serotonin, whatever) that a "normal" person's does. Anxiety, Depression, etc. have their place in clinical science. Which means to me that a person doesn't need to have had a traumatic experience to become a substance abuser.

When I would self medicate with the harder stuff, I always wanted to smoke. Drink a 12 pack, I want to smoke a bowl, do a few lines, I want to smoke a bowl, etc. etc. But, when I smoke a bowl... I am content. It's my Drug of Choice if you will.

I talked a lot about smoking pot with my sponsor. He would tell me it's a bad idea. Then he would bring up the subject in meetings and the whole room would have some kind of hazy pot story of how drinking doesn't seem so bad when your stoned. One lady even said after smoking a joint she didn't know what she was doing and ended up polishing off a fifth a Jack. I didn't buy it... still don't. But, if your group is anything like mine, they don't welcome potheads... "there's another meeting for that" as they say.

By no means do I think I can do an "about face" and drink like a gentleman, stopping at one or two. I am an Alcoholic, but when the squirrel in my head starts spinning that wheel, Ganja by the grace of Jah, has kept me from reaching for that bottle of Stolichnaya and go off and running.

 

[Seamaiden]

Hello, My name is Bluberry and I am an Alcoholic. Its been 2 years since my last drink, and life is wonderful.

Any other AA members here, or problem drinkers that stopped the booze but still smoke. How do you find it? Did you smoke before you stopped? Have you started since stopping? Any booze or booze related issues?

Congratulations and keep walking the line.

My youngest son is an addict. I didn't realize what a problem he had until he got into serious trouble with the law, is currently on probation and still can't seem to control his desires. I finally had to ask him to move (told him, not quite asked).

My husband is also an alcoholic, and he's been sober for a good 20yrs now. My father always tries to get my husband to drink hard liquor, and sometimes I almost want to tell my husband, "Go ahead, do it, show my dad what happens so he'll knock this shit off." But he tells me that would be very, very bad. (I never knew the alcoholic, we've only been together since '03).

My stepson is a RAGING alcoholic. Black-out drunk, and he's on the fast track to death. His drinking has done incredible damage, to him, to his relationships (he will not speak to my husband), forced us to kick him out after he'd moved back in with us upon discharge from the Navy, and has cost him his daughter. We're actually happy about that (can you imagine?) because after we had to kick him out he cut off all contact with our granddaughter, and her mother, unbelievably, is the one who's keeping us in the loop and letting us see her. But my stepson? Just partying on, drinking til he's blacked out, trying to do as little as possible on someone else's dime. I feel horrible for my husband, this is his only child, he adores his son. But there is a price and a burden and I can't alleviate those for him. Just a few days ago he said he wanted to stage an intervention, but I'm not sure how that would work when he's got our numbers blocked, etc.

I am a teetotaller, rarely drink and if I do I cannot drink very much. But I LOVE MAH WEED, oh yes I do.

 

[fuzzy]

Whatever Works 4 Ya

Im an alcoholic,been to some of the worst prisons in the US 2 times around.Ive done quite a bit of time because of that poison and my problems.Since i started growing again almost 10yrs now,I havent touched Any alcohol or had any problems with the cops(knock on wood).AA didnt work for me.I went to over 300 meetings and chaired meetings and usually felt more depressed coming out then i did going in.So i say,whatever it takes and works for ya.Oh,and ive been to 3 rehabs for alcohol.Didnt work.just my 2 pennies Peace,fuzzy

 

[fuzzy]

Oh,And thats Great Blueberry you havent drank in 2yrs,Congratulations!!!fuzzy

 

[Bluberry]

Hey Lazarus, I lived in California for a while, San Fran, Huntington Beach and Ventura. Also spent a bit of time in Florida, mostly running bars and nightclub’s, so I know the drink scene pretty well. Outside of tourist spots and vacations, drinking during the day is looked down on even here, but when people want to drink, that means nothing. I feel your pain with the meds, I take a mixture co co-codamol, tramadol and paracetamol and cannot wait until I can medicate on weed – so little toxins so much relief. That breathing thing you mentioned is something I have from time to time- it feels like my ribs are glued together with pain –man that sucks!

Toes and Fuzzy – I hear ya regarding the meetings – I was secretary, I was going to area, I was doing the chair and at times the meetings were driving me crazy. But I remember that I also have to be there for the new alcoholic who walks through the door, and while the drunk-a-logs drive me crazy, they remind me that I am an alcoholic. In fact the best meeting for me is when a new guy or girl comes in and is getting it really bad – perhaps they crashed a car or lost a job, whatever it is it reminds me that I can never drink, and perhaps I can help them just by sharing how my life is going !

And Toes, as for your sponsor bringing up smoking pot in meetings, tell him the Irish guy says to keep his mouth shut and stop cross sharing – that is bang out of order! How is someone supposed to share openly with a trusted friend or sponsor if they act like that. For me the biggest thing about AA was working the steps – understanding exactly what I was like and having a plan to correct it. That’s what a sponsor is for, to guide you through the rooms into the steps. The only requirement is a desire to stop drinking – after that it’s your business, unless it causes you harm, which it obviously does not?

Seamaiden – sorry to hear about the trouble you are having, but I guess you have to let go and let god – whatever that is – sort it out. When he has had the convincer, when he has hit rock bottom he will stop, but only if he wants to. That whole intervention thing – we do not do it here, but like Fuzzy says, I know people who have gone through rehab again and again .You cannot stop for others; you have to do it for yourself. You are doing the right thing – you cannot let him bring your life down – you can still be there, you can still love him, just from a distance. Whatever happens I wish you the best!

 

[CelticEBE]

Welcome to the Farm Blueberry! Friend of Bills right here! I actually don't smoke anymore, but I do the edible thing before I go to sleep. I have severe sleep apnea and edibles are the only thing that I have found that keep me from gasping for air at night.

One Day at a Time brother!

 

[Bobby Smith]

Congrats Bluberry; I know what drinking too much can do to a person.

I'm a functioning alcoholic at this point - not ready to give it up entirely, but decided a couple of months that close to a bottle a night of liquor probably isn't the best thing for living to a ripe old age.

Congrats again, and keep up the good work :)

 

[motherlode]

good on you for quitting drinking - it can be some evil shit for those who cant moderate its use

does AA condone marijauna use of any kind?

I mean if they find out your using cannabis wont they send you to NA?

 

[Bluberry]

Celtic that sounds scary - I would be afraid that I would get far to stoned - jeez that's tough. What you eating and hows it working for you? Do make it yourself?

Bobby I know where your coming from - its a tough one. The guys funeral I was at - he was 33 and had an alcoholic seizure (turns out you can have them up to 5 years after your last drink), then took a massive heart attack and died right in front of his mother.

Motherlode, the whole AA and drugs thing is a bit complicated. All groups make their own decisions, and treat things differently, but usually to take a position of responsibility you need to be free from ALL non prescribed mood altering substances. But, and I quote " The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking" There are not many rules in AA but that is one of them. As far as talking about drugs at meetings, you can talk about anything you want, and nobody can say otherwise - out books talk about drugs and people share about them in the rooms.

However in Narcotics Anonymous they deal with ALL drugs, of which alcohol is one. Sometimes they think that Addicts hide in AA so that they stop drinking and are able to smoke - sort of hiding behind the difference. I am not sure about that,. Yes people can have addictive personality's, and if they do not sort out their emotions - which is really what AA is about - then they can have issues with anything. But I am pretty addicted to Ice Cream, but I sure as hell am not addicted to Carrots. Yet they are all foods. But I think once you have a problem with anything that removes your pain or emotions, it is very possible that you will use something else instead.

Bottom line, we drink or smoke because it works, whatever our needs. I drank because it solved my problems, then it became my problem, so I stopped, but I took me 20 years to admit it was a problem, and lots of damaged relationships and lives along the way. Yet I am lucky, some people never see that its a problem and more still do not have the strength to do anything about it.

 

[CelticEBE]

@motherlode

I had a talk with my sponsor about this when I sobered up. Since MJ has been classified as Medicine, and as long as you are using it for Medicinal purposes, it's ok. For me, I do not smoke, and I can only eat edibles right before I go to sleep. I am not taking it to "Get High", I take it so I can sleep better and not gasp for air.

If you are "Getting High", just to get high, then you aren't really sober.

 

[Bluberry]

If you are "Getting High", just to get high, then you aren't really sober.

I agree with that and I do not - its complicated and I think its dependant on person and situation. For me being sober or sobriety is the state of not acting out an addiction.

When I got "sober" I had to spend some time thinking about my actions and why I did what I did. Again and again I hear about people admitting that they had not taken a drink in so many years but that they were not sober, because their THINKING was wrong. Addiction can wear many masks, it can be control, it can be shopping, or shoes or risk taking or whatever habit we have used to get what we want or need.

Stopping drinking or using is the easy part, the most important part. But at some stage sobriety is about our emotions, our actions, our thoughts with and without drink.

Someone who is not smoking or drinking may not be "sober".

I have not drank in two years, but have taken plenty of tablets for some pretty serious conditions that cause severe pain.They also cause plenty of head trouble because at time I feed "speedy" or "smacked". Weed is completely illegal here, so I cannot be prescribed it.

But I intend to smoke it and dump the tablets, and I intend to keep going to meetings and working the 12 steps, dealing with life and trying to grow as a person, and I will along the way consider myself sober.

But others may not, and that's ok as well.

 

[lazarus718]

Congratulations and keep walking the line.

My stepson is a RAGING alcoholic. Black-out drunk, and he's on the fast track to death. His drinking has done incredible damage, to him, to his relationships (he will not speak to my husband), forced us to kick him out after he'd moved back in with us upon discharge from the Navy, and has cost him his daughter.

I did my time in the Navy, made two deployments to the middle east (the second to start the Iraq war) as a gunner and search team member and I have definitely seen what that environment can do to a young mind. If you don't mind me asking, did he suffer some PTSD while in?

 

[below frigid]

Hey Bluberry, I have been clean and sober for 15 years, I quit smoking cannabis and cigs as well. Cigs were my first addiction and the last to go. No cigs for 10 years. I just could not stop growing cannabis. I just love growing these beautiful plants. My friends like that I did not stop growing as well. I look at some of these strains I am growing and it hard not smoking it sometimes. Especially some of the hazes! They smell so good. Sounds like you know what your doing. For me I afraid to take the chance. For me cannabis "really" could possibly lead to heroine or cocaine or worse! be careful.

 

[Bluberry]

Hey Bluberry, I have been clean and sober for 15 years, I quit smoking cannabis and cigs as well. Cigs were my first addiction and the last to go. No cigs for 10 years. I just could not stop growing cannabis. I just love growing these beautiful plants. My friends like that I did not stop growing as well. I look at some of these strains I am growing and it hard not smoking it sometimes. Especially some of the hazes! They smell so good. Sounds like you know what your doing. For me I afraid to take the chance. For me cannabis "really" could possibly lead to heroine or cocaine or worse! be careful.

Hey Below - sounds like you have it going on!!! That is some super strong will power, but as you know it gets easier! Yep, I know I gotta be very careful. One of the hardest things I have ever had to do was walk away from all my friends who were still using drugs, of all sorts, but that was a long time ago and I spend no time in those circles, and have no intention of doing so.

Also, I still go to LOTS of AA meetings, 4 or 5 a week - so that keeps me straight.

Hopefully I will be able to moderate what I use, and most importantly stop the painkillers and anti depressants _ who knows, it will be months before I am ready to harvest.

Thing is if I wanted to smoke I could get it in moments, the same with beer or booze or other drugs. I am just not interested !

Bobby Smith, how are you getting on Bro?